|

25 Seoul Christmas Lights & Christmas Events + Photos 2024

This post may contain affiliate links to tours and hotels. These help us earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Seoul at Christmas and in the New Year comes alive with a feast of festive favorites and classic Christmas lights and events – Seoul at Christmas 2024 will be no different.

There are countless Seoul Christmas lights and events from Seoul shopping mall Christmas light displays to huge Christmas trees plus skating rinks, snow-covered winter villages and special Christmas markets.

Lotte World Adventure 

Whilst Seoul at night in winter may be cold, these South Korean Christmas lights and events warm the heart and see in both Christmas and celebrate the end of 2024 and the start of 2025.

Most Seoul shopping malls also have fine festive displays and Christmas village – it is wonderful way to spend Christmas in Seoul with kids.

Seoul has plenty of Christmas events, markets and lights so here is our updated guide to Seoul’s best Christmas lights, displays and events in 2024.

Please note all these ‘Seoul at Christmas’ photos are our own and were taken in November / December 2023.

This article was originally published in December 2022.


You might like – Best things to do in Seoul, South Korea >


Join our Facebook South Korea Travel Planning and Tips Group!
Need help with your itinerary or have any South Korea related questions? Head on over to our Facebook group!
Click here to join our group >

Table of Contents

Seoul Christmas lights and Christmas events 2024

1. Myeongdong Cathedral Christmas Lights 2024

One of the best Christmas light displays in Seoul is at Myeongdong Cathedral, South Korea’s oldest Roman Catholic cathedral consecrated in 1898 (also check out the swish subterranean shopping centre directly below – it has plenty of cafes and boutique stores, many with Christmas displays).

Myeongdong Cathedral Christmas Lights Seoul
Myeongdong Cathedral Christmas Lights Seoul

The exterior of Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul lights up at Christmas with a huge hillside of Christmas lights – it is very popular with ‘wishing trees’ set up so people can write down their wishes for the new year. Christmas masses are also held at Myeongdong Cathedral.

There is also a nativity scene at Myeongdong Cathedral plus Christmas gifts galore at Myeongdong Night Market.

CK Travels Christmas tip – for the best views of the Christmas lights at Myeongdong Cathedral, grab a hot drink on the alfresco balcony at Molto Italian Espresso Bar, directly overlooking Myeongdong Cathedral.

Myeongdong Cathedral Christmas Lights Seoul
Myeongdong Cathedral Christmas Lights Seoul

Looking for cheap Seoul day-trips, attractions or group/private tours? We recommend visiting Viator, GetYourGuide, and Klook!


Try this – Top Seoul Christmas 2024 tours with Viator including Eobi Ice Wall, Nami Island & Morning Calm Light Festival


2. Lotte World Adventure – Miracle Winter 2024 theme TBC

From 18 November 2024 to 31 December 2024 (including a special New Year’s Eve Parade)

Given how cold the Christmas weather can be in Seoul, Lotte World Adventure indoor theme park (with an outdoor magical castle and rollercoaster) is a good place to visit in the winter months, with an annual celebration of all things festive and fun promised.

Lotte Adventure World is also one of the best things to do in Seoul with kids at Christmas (or any time of the year).

Lotte World - Miracle Winter: Lights Up Christmas in Seoul

Better yet, Lotte World Seoul has a year round ice-skating rink so you can skate anytime (although it does have extra decorations at Christmas).

This year’s Seoul Lotte Adventure Christmas theme is Miracle Winter (TBC), which brings the park to life with incredible displays of Christmas lights indoors and out, and various festive themed performances and shows (runs from 18 November 2024 until 31 December 2024).

Lotte World - Miracle Winter: Lights Up Christmas in Seoul

We’ve been to Seoul Lotte World at Christmas and it is magical! The highlight has to be the magical Snow Castle, a beautiful snowy structure of fairytale proportions. Indoors, make a wish at the Miracle Tree and see Santa at home in his grotto (‘Santa Big Lotty’ – hmmmm).

Lotte World Seoul theme park is available to visit at Christmas and on Seoul New Year’s Eve 2024/ 25 and included as part of the Discover Seoul Pass.

P.S. Lotte World Adventure Busan also recently opened up and has Christmas celebrations – check out our detailed guide to all of Lotte World Busan’s attractions here >

Lotte World ice skating rink - Miracle Winter: Lights Up Christmas in Seoul
Lotte World - Miracle Winter: Lights Up Christmas in Seoul

Thanks for checking out our blog!

We are currently digital nomading / travelling for the next few months around London and Asia (Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore).

Check out our travel diaries on Instagram – @.c.k.travels, Tik Tok – @cktravels and our Asia travel Facebook page.

We also run a Taiwan Travel guide at taiwanderers.com, and a Japan Travel Guide at planmyjapan.com

3. Christmas tree and ice skating at Seoul Plaza 2024

Seoul city Ice skating likely from Saturday 21 December 2024 until mid February 2025

Seoul Plaza and City Hall play host to a huge Christmas tree every Christmas and 2024/25 is no exception.

The Seoul City Hall Christmas tree looks good at any time of day; colourful with bright baubles and red bows by daytime, and classic bright white when it lights up in the evening.

Seoul City Hall Christmas tree

Towards mid / late December every year, Seoul Plaza / City Hall also plays host to an ice-skating rink and winter village which usually runs until late February. 

This is one of Seoul’s biggest Christmas ice-skating rinks, a continual family favourite since it opened in 2004.

The Seoul Plaza ice-skating rink usually opends from 10 am to 9:30 pm during the week and until 11 pm on weekends. It is also really cheap – the prices at Seoul Plaza ice-skating rink haven’t changed in years and skating costs around 1,000 Won including skate rental. 

Seoul City Hall Christmas tree

Visiting Seoul for Christmas?
The perfect Christmas gift is the Discover Seoul pass (save money on dozens of Seoul attractions ) or a prepaid Seoul WOWPASS


4. Shinsegae Department Store 2024

The Shinsegae Seoul Christmas lights run from 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2025

Shinsegae Department Store (one of the best malls in Seoul) must have a massive electricity bill at Christmas as the store exterior becomes a HUGE multimedia light show, having heavily invested in millions of LED lights (in 2023, they’ve used 3.75 million LEDs to bring the display to life).

It is hard to miss this year’s Shinsegae Seoul Christmas light display as the effect of the lights is incredible – it lights up the surrounding area so brightly that your eyes are drawn to it as soon as you leave the vibrant Myeongdong Walking street and Myeongdong Night Market area.

2024’s Christmas theme at Shinsegae Myeongdong is ‘Shinsegae Theater – TBC’ and it usually runs every day (on a 3 minute loop) from 5.30pm to 10.30pm, November 2024 to 31st January 2025.

The light show creates an immersive journey following a magical Christmas deer to a soundtrack of Christmas carols and classical music.

Such is the draw of the Shinsegae Department store Christmas lights in Seoul that extra traffic cops patrol in December at night time due to all the extra traffic cars (often full to the brim with families) who want to see the Christmas lights up close.

Inside Shinsegae Department Store, there are numerous Christmas gifts available to purchase (plus Christmas gift wrapping stations) plus a colossal Christmas tree that hangs high above the main escalator section.


Try this – The best Seoul tours and day-trips with Viator >


Join our Facebook South Korea Travel Planning and Tips Group!
Need help with your itinerary or have any South Korea related questions? Head on over to our Facebook group!
Click here to join our group >

5. Lotte Department Store Myeongdong Christmas 2024

1 November 2024 to 31 December 2024

Fighting it out (but in a fun festive way) with the nearby Shinsegae Department Store for Myeongdong’s best Christmas display, Lotte Department stores have delivered an epic experience this Christmas, which launches the first week of November 2024.

Lotte Department Store’s display is a kaleidoscope of lights, both on the side of the building plus in the trees at the rear plaza. The Christmas display runs across Lotte Young Plaza, Lotte Avenuel and Lotte Main department store with the theme for 2023 ‘My Dearest Wish’ – the 2024 theme is TBC.

Christmas at Lotte Department Stall Myeongdong - Miracle Winter: Lights Up in Seoul, South Korea
Christmas 2023 at Lotte Department Stall Myeongdong - My Dearest Wish in Seoul, South Korea
2023 display

As well as a giant illuminated 15 foot Christmas tree outside at Lotte Myeongdong last year, there is a Christmas post office set-up inside plus you can send a Christmas message and have it projected on a large screen outside.

The Lotte World shopping centre Christmas display (entitled ‘My Dearest Wish’) also includes several animated window displays with moving characters and animals. Cute!

Being from the UK, this genuinely felt like being back home in London, similar to the Hamley’s or Harrods Christmas window displays.

Christmas 2023 at Lotte Department Stall Myeongdong - My Dearest Wish in Seoul, South Korea
2023 display
Christmas 2023 at Lotte Department Stall Myeongdong - My Dearest Wish in Seoul, South Korea
2023 display

We thought Lotte Department Store’s display was fantastic and also very well organised with lots of security guards and helpers on hand at night to ensure everyone’s safety.

Inside Lotte Department store, there are festive decorations plus the food hall has special seasonal food to eat there or take home to share with the family.

Christmas 2023 at Lotte Department Stall Myeongdong - My Dearest Wish in Seoul, South Korea
2023 display
Christmas 2023 at Lotte Department Stall Myeongdong - My Dearest Wish in Seoul, South Korea
2023 display
Christmas 2023 at Lotte Department Stall Myeongdong - My Dearest Wish in Seoul, South Korea
2023 display
Christmas 2023 at Lotte Department Stall Myeongdong - My Dearest Wish in Seoul, South Korea
2023 display

You might like – Things to do in Busan, South Korea >


6. Myeongdong Walking Street Christmas lights – 2024

On many of our Seoul Christmas trips,  we base ourselves in hotels in the Myeongdong area – we’d rate this as one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Seoul at Christmas.

It is a wonderful place to explore but particularly at night along the main Myeongdong Walking Street area, where the main streets become awash with street food traders (you won’t go hungry – literally there are dozens of food vendors) plus gift / craft stalls.

Myeongdong Walking Street Christmas lights

At Christmas, the Myeongdong Walking Street is even busier, with huge numbers of Seoul families visiting to see the Christmas lights and giant Christmas tree (located outside the Myeongdong Theatre) – all of the real trees around the area are lit up with LED lights too.

The Myeongdong area feels particularly festive in December as you’ll constantly hear the sound of bells ringing (peeling), as the Salvation Army has numerous donation points, manned by volunteer families.

CK Travels tip – if you want some unique or quirky Christmas gifts from Seoul to take home, check out the 12 storey Daiso store in Myeongdong or the the numerous HBAF almond stores with over 30 flavours!

Myeongdong Walking Street Christmas lights
Myeongdong Walking Street Christmas lights

You might like these Seoul neighbourhood guides:
Hongdae
Myeongdong
Insadong
Ikseon-dong 
Gangnam
Seongsu-dong
Euljiro
Itaewon
Dongdaemun

Or check out our best neighbourhoods in Seoul Guide >

7. The Hyundai Seoul Mall – 2024

In one word, wow! Of all the Seoul shopping malls and complexes we visited for Christmas in Seoul, The Hyundai Seoul had the busiest and biggest Christmas display in Seoul we went to.

It is officially the largest indoor Christmas light display in Seoul and the whole of Korea, covering over 3,000 square meters and with around 20 Christmas stores.

Last  year (2023), the Hyundai Seoul Christmas village had a theme of ‘La Boutique d’Harry’, recreating a European white Christmas with alpine chalets and French signs. We can’t wait to see what they come up with in 2024!

In fact, such is the popularity of the Christmas village at The Hyundai Seoul, if you want to go inside the village, you need to book free tickets in advance via the Naver app or onsite QR codes (although some walk-in slots might be available).

The Hyundai Seoul Mall Christmas 2023
The Hyundai Seoul Mall Christmas 2023

The department store opens the village up for hourly slots starting from 10.30am every day until late.

The Hyundai Seoul is a chic mall spread over multiple levels, with the Hyundai Seoul Christmas village taking over the 6th floor in the ‘Sound Forest’ space – expect huge queues just to take a picture with the main Christmas tree.

The festive set-up here is so well done, with several alpine village style chalets selling Christmas gifts and food and lots of snow covered scenes – it is packed full of Christmas cuteness and warms your ‘Seoul’.

Christmas at the Hyundai Seoul Mall
The Hyundai Seoul Mall Christmas 2023

You might like: The best K-Pop things to do in South Korea >


8. The Hyundai Department Store Trade Centre, Gangnam

For us, this was the BEST Seoul Christmas display in 2023 as it contained the most charming Christmas workshop full of animatronic bears plus it was free entry (with no need to pre-book at the time of writing). Let’s see what they do in Christmas 2024, the wait is ‘un-bear-able’ (sorry not sorry).

The Hyundai Department Store Trade Centre continues the ‘La Boutique d’Harry’ European Christmas theme with a large illuminated Christmass tree and even the outside of the store is gift-wrapped.

The Hyundai Department Store Trade Centre, Gangnam 2023
The Hyundai Department Store Trade Centre, Gangnam 2023

But best of all, there is a magical winter wonderland workshop packed full of cute and cuddly bears doing all types of Christmas activities like putting decorations on trees or sleeping amongst presents.

Very instagrammable, we found a small queue to get in but it was totally worth it – note the Christmas workshop seems to close around 8pm most nights but the Christmas lights stay on until late.

The Hyundai Department Store Trade Centre, Gangnam 2023
The Hyundai Department Store Trade Centre, Gangnam 2023

You might like – things to do in Gangnam, Seoul including the BTS Cafe >


9. Cheong-gye-cheon Stream at Christmas – 2024

Cheong-gye-cheon is ‘cool’ to visit at any time of the year, a brilliant example of city regeneration whereby a previously underused and unutilized area has been reborn. 

This revitalized stream has been transformed to become a popular walk-way through the heart of Seoul, consisting of landscaped gardens, stepping stone walkways and public artworks including the famous red and blue sea-shell.

Cheong-gye-cheon Christmas Seoul

It is here at the Cheong-gye-cheon sea-shell that the annual Cheong-gye-cheon Christmas festivities take place with a festive winter village, photo opps galore plus a huge (slightly fake looking) Christmas tree.

Note that in very recent years, the usual Seoul Christmas lanterns that adorn Cheong-gye-cheon stream have moved to Gwanghwamun Square to celebrate the new pedestrian areas but there are still some Cheong-gye-cheon Christmas decorations.

Cheong-gye-cheon Christmas Seoul

YOU MIGHT LIKE: Things to do in Seoul at night >


10. Ssamziegil shopping complex at Insadong – 2024

For us, the most creative and quirky shopping centre in Seoul has to be the Ssamziegil shopping centre in Insadong.

Full of cute character stalls and fun retail shops like caricature stalls or make your own gift, at Christmas, the already colourful Ssamziegil mall (mainly outdoors) is festooned with festive decorations.

We visited Insadong one Sunday and the streets are pedestranised at the weekends making a safe shopping experience with lots going on at Christmas.

Ssamziegil was definitely the most popular mall with families in the area, looking for unique gifts – truly a good market to visit for Christmas.

Also check out Idus (Place) if you visit Ssamziegil at Christmas – a charming cafe and gift store located on the Ssamziegil  rooftop, Idus store has a huge LED screen depicting Christmas scenes plus Christmas gifts galore.


You might like – things to do in Ikseon-dong Hanok Village >


11. Insadong Anyoung Shopping Centre / Jaturi Christmas Market – 2024

One of the newest shopping centres in Seoul in the Insadong / Jongno area, Anyoung , you know you’ve arrived at Anyoung as you are greeting by a statue of one the Line characters looking out onto the main street in Insadong. This is because there is a Line character store at Anyoung so there are huge characters dotted all over the mall.

At Christmas, Anyoung shopping centre has weekend Christmas markets (Jaturi market) selling artisans crafts and independent wares.


YOU MIGHT LIKE: things to do in Insadong, Seoul or our guide to using T-Money cards in South Korea


12. Namdaemun Market Christmas stalls – 2024

Not so much a Christmas attraction but more of a place to buy Christmas decorations in Seoul, if you truly want to get into the Seoul Christmas spirit in 2024, go for a walk around Namdaemun Christmas Market, where wholesalers are retailing all manner of Christmas decorations and Christmas lights.

From dancing Santas with saxophones playing Christmas tunes to magical lamp-posts that have snow covered alpine village scenes inside, no matter what Christmas decoration you are after, you’ll find it at Namdaemun Market.

After all that Seoul Christmas shopping here, reward yourself with some incredible knife cut noodles  in the famous Kalguksu Alley at Namdaemun.

To a lesser extent, we also found several Christmas decoration stalls at Gwangjang Market but nowhere near as many as Namdaemun.


You might like – Where to stay in Seoul / Best Neighborhoods Guide >


13. Yeongdeungpo Times Square – 2024

Yeongdeungpo Times Square is one of the biggest and most popular shopping malls in Seoul, a fun spot for families in Seoul with kids particularly at Christmas.

For Christmas 2024, Times Square will hopefully become a wonderful Winter Wonderland again – keep checking back for new pictures and an overview.


YOU MIGHT LIKE: Netflix knife-cut noodle lady at Gwangjang Market, Seoul


14. Coex Mall Starfield Library – 2024

The stars are coming to Starfield Mall in Gangnam – well sort of. Possibly the biggest and best mall Christmas tree in the mall, the library inside Coex Mall Starfield is an Instagrammers delight with a picture perfect Christmas tree located amongst all the books.

Surely this has to be the best looking and most accessible library in the world? Even more so with the Christmas tree! So much so that it can be hard to get a book from the shelves with all the posing and photography going on (for real).

Unlike other libraries, you don’t need to be a registered user to read the books, and several cafes and coffee shops are ‘hidden’ amongst the gigantic bookshelves.


You might like – Our ultimate South Korea guide: 40 things to do >


15. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Christmas / Winter Lights Festival – from Dec 2024

Seoul’s legendary cultural plaza chock full of museums, galleries and boutique shops, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) lights up at Christmas with a festive winter light show.

The DDP Seoul Light show features illuminations and projections on the side of the curved and ultra sleek building.  Since its first edition in 2019, the light show has attracted over 1 million visitors and is one of the more popular winter festivals in Seoul.

Inside the DDP, you’ll also often see pop-up Christmas markets during December.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Christmas / Winter Lights Festival 2022

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Christmas / Winter Lights Festival theme for 2024 has still yet to be announced.

As an example, in 2022 it was “Designing Life at the Universe”, projecting tales of intergalactic holidays and encounters with other life forms on the sides of the plaza walls.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza Christmas Market
Dongdaemun Design Plaza Christmas Market

Join our Facebook South Korea Travel Planning and Tips Group!
Need help with your itinerary or have any South Korea related questions? Head on over to our Facebook group!
Click here to join our group >

16. Seoul Lantern Festival at Gwanghwamun Square – 2024 TBC

Recently, Seoul’s annual Christmas lantern festival has moved from Cheong-gye-cheon stream to Gwanghwamun Square to celebrate the newly pedestrianised areas within the park.

Starting in 2009,  the annual Seoul Lantern Festival has become one of the most well attended festivals in Seoul and is a firm family favourite at Christmas.

2022 Seoul Lantern Festival at Gwanghwamun Square
2022 Seoul Lantern Festival at Gwanghwamun Square

The annual Seoul lantern festival is now a Christmas tradition in the South Korea capital, featuring thousands of lit up paper lanterns and light sculptures.

Gwanghwamun Square Christmas lantern festival usually opens mid December and runs until December 31st between 6pm and 10pm daily. The Christmas in Seoul lantern festival in 2023 was free admission – 2024 TBC.

2022 Seoul Lantern Festival at Gwanghwamun Square
2022 Seoul Lantern Festival at Gwanghwamun Square

Planning a trip to Japan?

We have launched a brand new Japan travel site – check out planmyjapan.com >

We also have a Japan Travel Facebook group – click here to join >


You might like – Our guide to visiting Nami Island or the Garden of Morning Calm (both near Seoul)


17. Everland Winter Festival / Christmas Parade – 2024

18 November 2024 to 31 December 2024 (TBC)

Everland comes alive at Christmas bursting with brilliant Christmas lights, a wonderful winter village and fun and festive Christmas parades, suitable for all the family.

Everland is the biggest theme park in South Korea with five themed zones including Magic Land, American Adventure and European Adventure.

New at Everland, families can see Chinese giant pandas Le Bao and Fu Bao eating bamboo leaves and playing in the Panda World of Everland Resort. The resort also includes a separate water park, Caribbean Bay, which opens to families in the summer months.

The Everland Christmas celebrations just outside Seoul are set to run from mid November 2024 up to and including New Year’s Eve 2024/25.

Book your Everland One Day Pass with Klook >

Everland at Christmas admission is included as part of the Discover Seoul pass.


You might like – 70+ Things to do in Busan, South Korea >


18. IFC Mall – Santa’s Post Office Christmas 2024

IFC Mall Seoul is great any time of the year but even more so at Christmas when they have decorations and displays. In 2022, it was dozens of huge penguins dotted all over the mall – when we visited last Christmas, the festive theme at IFC Mall in 2023 was Santa’s Post Office,

Whilst very small compared to the likes of Lotte Myeongdong or Hyundai malls, this is still a great place to visit in Seoul with kids and see the Christmas tree displays and post office sets (especially if it is raining as this is all indoors)

IFC Mall – Christmas 2023 Seoul

CK Travels tip – the IFC Mall Christmas display isn’t usually worth a special trip but it is right next door to the more spectacular The Hyundai Seoul Christmas village so why not combine the two?

IFC Mall – Christmas 2023 Seoul
IFC Mall – Christmas 2023 Seoul

You might like – 20+ weird, wonderful and unusual things to do in Seoul including a ‘poo’ themed cafe >


19. Garden of Morning Calm Winter Lights Festival 2024/25 – dates confirmed

1 December 2024 to 16 March 2025

Located on Chungryeongsan Mountain and a popular K-drama filming location, The Garden of Morning Calm is a must visit when in Seoul at Christmas (it is around 35km outside of the city).

With 30 gardens to explore and cute cafes overlooking gorgeous green spaces, South Korea’s The Garden of Morning Calm is great to visit by day, but during winter, the nights become spectacular too during the Winter Light festival.

Every December through mid March, the Garden of Morning Calm transforms into a winter wonderland with various themes and displays. The entire site is festooned with festive light tunnels and cute Christmas / winter light displays

This year’s 2024 / 2025 Christmas / Winter Lighting Festival at Nami Island runs from 1st December 2024 to 16th March 2025 –  the lights switch on at sunset until around 9pm (and 11pm on Saturdays).

Try this – Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival Tour >


You might like – Our guides to visiting the Garden of Morning Calm and nearby Nami Island


20. Lotte World Tower & Seoul Sky At Christmas

Easily spotted by Santa and his reindeer when flying high, Lotte World Tower is the tallest tower in South Korea (and the sixth tallest in the world). It opened to great fanfare in 2017 and offers incredible panoramic views of the Seoul skyline.

Seoul Sky tower at Christmas

At Christmas, Lotte World Tower has both a small snow scene at the top on the 121st floor (Seoul Sky admission fees apply) plus a larger Lotte World Tower My Dearest Wish Garden on the ground floor concourse outside (near to the Uniqlo exit).

The wish garden has a big beautiful Christmas wish tree, a mini maze with a Christmas letter house and a small Seoul Christmas market.

The Wonder Wish garden is open daily until 10pm (2024 dates / times still TBC ) and the carousel lights up from 5.30pm to 11pm.

If you are shopping for Christmas presents at Lotte World Tower mall and spend over 30,000 KRW, you and another person one can ride the Christmas carousel for free.


21. Christmas Photoshoot – Hanbok / Traditional Korean Costume Rental

The Royal Palaces of Seoul are a must visit when visiting South Korea’s capital but especially so at Christmas and winter when snow is sometimes on the ground.

Many visitors hire hanboks and traditional Korean costumes whilst exploring these historic sites (extra layers are needed at Christmas as it can get COLD in Seoul).

Most of the Seoul Palaces have costume rental stores near them such as the 15th century Changdeokgung Palace as well as Bukchon Hanok Village.

Hanbok style clothing has been around for over 1500 years and a popular family activity in Seoul is to dress up as a family and take pictures in the historical palaces – some families even hire professional photographers (fancy!)

Book your hanbok costume via Klook or as part of a photoshoot.

Book your Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul here >


You might like – 20 best Seoul craft beer bars and breweries >


22. Jogyesa Temple

Dating back to the 14th century (although rebuilt in the early 1900s due to a fire), Jogyesa Temple in Insadong is one of Seoul’s most historic temples and the main temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. At Christmas time in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple has a special display of Christmas themed lanterns.

The Dharma Hall of Jogyesa Temple hosts several Buddhist events and celebrations throughout the year  – for the Buddha’s birthday, the Jogyesa Temple holds a lantern festival.


You might like – Guide to buying Seoul baseball tickets >


23. Hot Mulled Wine / Vin Chaud at Gwangjang Market

A winter warmer, we always love a mug of warm mulled wine – it is like Christmas in a glass!

Around Christmas time in Seoul, Gwangjang Market usually has a pop-up Vin Chaud / mulled wine stall bedecked with a huge Christmas tree.

It was the delicious fruity, cinnamon aroma that first alerted us to this Seoul mulled wine stall costing 4000 Won a glass.

Read our updated 2024 guide to the food and drink available at Gwangjang Market in Seoul here >

Hot Mulled Wine / Vin Chaud at Gwangjang Market Christmas in Seoul
Hot Mulled Wine / Vin Chaud at Gwangjang Market Christmas in Seoul

You might like – Best Korean street foods you must try in South Korea >


24. Hongdae Street at Christmas

The heart and ‘Seoul’ (ahem) of Hongdae, this is the central area where many street performers, pop-up stalls and chicken and beer restaurants congregate.

Hongdae Street at Christmas seoul

The busiest area in Hongdae (and possibly what you’d call tourist central), there are sights and food to enjoy 24/7 here.

In the summer, Hongdae Street is home to pop-up markets and scores of street performers and singers but during Christmas in Seoul, Hongdae Street Hongdae has dozens of Christmas lights and LED plus Christmas displays.

Many of the South Korean street food traders here also start selling hot food in the winter months.


You might like – things to do in Hongdae, Seoul >


25. 2025 Seoul Assitej Winter

Early January to mid January 2025

A cultural post Christmas festival in Seoul curated for families and young children, this winter festival in Seoul runs every January for just over a week.

It is a family cultural experience festival that all ages can enjoy together, with performances, workshops and theatrics.

Find out more about the 2025 Seoul Assitej Winter Festival here >


26. Our final suggestion for a Christmas in Seoul

If you are visiting Seoul for Christmas, a cracking Christmas present for 2024/ 25 would be to buy a Discover Seoul Pass; you can visit dozens of Seoul attractions (including Everland at Christmas and Lotte World at Christmas) for one small price.


Our recent Winter / Christmas in Seoul trip!

Found this Seoul Christmas Lights article useful?

Support us on Ko-fi! >

Other South Korea posts you might like

Did you enjoy our Christmas lights and things to do at Christmas in Seoul guide blog post? Let us know in the comments or by sharing it on social media.

You can follow CK Travels on: 
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok 
YouTube
Pinterest

Similar Posts

2 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *