CK Travels

25 Seoul Christmas Lights & Christmas Events in 2023

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Seoul comes alive every Christmas and New Year with a feast of festive favourite and classic Christmas lights and events – Seoul at Christmas 2023 is no different.

There are countless Seoul Christmas 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 2023 and the start of 2024.

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 2023:


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Seoul Christmas lights and Christmas events 2023

1. Myeongdong Cathedral Christmas Lights 2023

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 – 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 – 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!


You might like – things to do in Myeongdong, Seoul or our guide to the Myeongdong Night Market.


2. Lotte World Adventure – Miracle Winter 2023;

From 25th November 2023 to 31st December 2023

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, which brings the park to life with incredible displays of Christmas lights indoors and out, and various festive themed performances and shows (runs from 25th November until 31st December 2023).

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 included as part of both the Discover Seoul Pass and Go City 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

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3. Christmas tree and ice skating at Seoul Plaza 2023

Seoul Plaza and City Hall plays host to a huge Christmas tree every Christmas and 2023 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 or Go City Seoul pass – save money on dozens of Seoul attractions.


4. Shinsegae Department Store 2023

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.

2023’s Christmas theme at Shinsegae Myeongdong is ‘Shinsegae Theater – from legacy to fantasy’ and it is currently running every day (on a 3 minute loop) from 5:30pm to 10:30pm, until January 31 2024.

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.


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5. Lotte Department Store Christmas 2023

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 launched 3 November 2023.

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’.

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, 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

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6. Myeongdong Walking Street Christmas lights – 2023

On many of our Seoul Christmas trips,  we base ourselves in the Myeongdong area of Seoul – 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

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7. The Hyundai Seoul Mall – 2023

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 display in Korea, covering over 3,000 square meters and with around 20 Christmas stores.

This year (2023), the Hyundai Seoul Christmas village has a theme of ‘La Boutique d’Harry’, recreating a European white Christmas with alpine chalets and French signs – c’est magnifique!

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 – cutesy as.

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

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8. The Hyundai Department Store Trade Centre, Gangnam

For us, this is the BEST Seoul Christmas display in 2023 as it contains the most charming Christmas workshop full of animatronic bears plus it is free entry (with no need to pre-book at the time of writing).

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

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9. Cheong-gye-cheon Stream at Christmas – 2023

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

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10. Ssamziegil shopping complex at Insadong – 2023

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.


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11. Insadong Anyoung Shopping Centre / Jaturi Christmas Market – 2023

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.


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12. Namdaemun Market Christmas stalls – 2023

Not so much a Christmas attraction and more of a place to buy Christmas decorations in Seoul, if you truly want to get in get in the Christmas spirit in 2023, go for a walk along the busy alleyways around Namdaemun Christmas Market, whereby 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.

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


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13. Yeongdeungpo Times Square – 2023

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 2023, Times Square will become a wonderful Winter Wonderland – we’ll be visiting Times Square soon so keep checking back for new pictures and an overview.


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14. Coex Mall Starfield Library – 2023

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.


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15. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Christmas / Winter Lights Festival – from Dec 2023

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.

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

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Christmas / Winter Lights Festival theme for 2023 has still yet to be announced (as of November 2023).

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

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16. Seoul Lantern Festival at Gwanghwamun Square – 2023

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 is free admission.

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

17. Everland Winter Festival / Christmas Parade – 2023

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 for 2023 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.

Book your Everland One Day Pass with Klook >

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


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18. IFC Mall – Santa’s Post Office Christmas 2023

IFC Mall Seoul is great any time of the year but even more so at Christmas when they decorations and displays. Last year, it was dozens of huge penguins dotted all over the mall – the Christmas theme at IFC Mall this year is Santa’s Post Office

Whilst very small scale 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 in 2023 isn’t 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

19. Garden of Morning Calm Winter Lights Festival 2023

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 Christmas / Winter Lights dates for the Garden of Morning Calm are 1st December 2023 to March 17th 2024 – the lights switch on at sunset until around 9pm.

Try this – Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival Tour >


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 (until December 25th 2023) 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 >


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.


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 2023 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

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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.


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25. Our final suggestion for a Christmas in Seoul

If you are visiting Seoul for Christmas, a cracking Christmas present for 2023/ 24 would be to buy a Discover Seoul Pass or Go City 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!

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