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 2025 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.
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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 2025 and the start of 2026.
Most Seoul shopping malls also have fine festive displays and Christmas villages – it is a 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 2025.
PS You can also read our guide to the 2025 Seoul New Year’s Eve celebrations here >
Please note all these ‘Seoul at Christmas’ photos are our own and were taken in November / December 2023 – most 2025 Seoul Christmas event dates will be confirmed by November 2025.
This article was originally published in December 2022.
You might like – 101 things to do in Seoul, South Korea >
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Seoul Christmas lights and Christmas events 2025
1. Lotte World Adventure – Twinkle Miracle Winter
25 November 2025 to 26 March 2026 (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).
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 2025 Lotte Adventure Christmas theme is Twinkle Miracle Winter featuring Teeniepig – the park comes to life with incredible displays of Christmas lights indoors and out, and various festive themed performances and shows.
Activities this year include the magic train photo zone, a crystal snow gate and a daily Teeniepig parade – the magical castle also lights up every evening at 8:40pm as part of an epic projection mapping show.
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 2025/ 26 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 >
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2. Myeongdong Cathedral Christmas Lights 2025
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).
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 Mass. Christmas gifts galore can also be found at Myeongdong Night Market and the surrounding shops (like HBAF).
South Korea Hallyu 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.
3. Christmas tree and ice skating at Seoul Plaza 2025
Seoul city ice skating runs from Friday 19 December 2025 until Sunday 8 February 2026
Seoul Plaza and City Hall play host to a huge Christmas tree every Christmas and 2024/25 is no exception.
The 20 meter 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. The 2025 Seoul Plaza tree is now up until 1 January 2026.
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 opens on Friday 19 December 2025 from 10am to 9.30pm during the week and until 11pm on weekends.
It is also really cheap – the prices at Seoul Plaza ice-skating rink have increased this year and skating now costs 1,100 Won for one hour including skate rental.
New for 2025 / 2026, Seoul Plaza ice skating is included as part of the Discover Seoul Pass.
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 2025/ 2026 – Magical Voyage theme
Christmas light display from 1 November 2025 to 31 January 2026, 5pm to 12pm
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. From 5pm to midnight every night, 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.
This year’s 2025 Christmas theme at Shinsegae Myeongdong is Magic Voyage and the three-minute show on the big screen loops regularly, starring the Shinsegae mascot Puvilla welcoming guests to a sumptuous Christmas dinner – it concludes with a fireworks (on screen) and a Christmas message of “Wonder All the Way”.
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.
5. Lotte Department Store Myeongdong Christmas 2025 – Sweet Holidays Theme
1 November 2025 to 31 December 2025
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 the first week of November 2025.
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 2025 ‘Sweet Holidays’. The decorations and window displays depict a Christmas gift parade and are based on the work of French illustrator Natalie Lette.
As well as a giant illuminated 15 foot Christmas tree outside at Lotte Myeongdong, the facade has been transformed into a festive street scene. You can also watch a series of Christmas-themed animated videos featuring holiday gifts and items on display on the Young Plaza building’s giant media façade.
You can also watch a series of Christmas-themed animated videos featuring holiday gifts and items on display on the Young Plaza building’s giant media façade.
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.
6. Myeongdong Walking Street Christmas lights – 2025
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.
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.
South Korea Hallyu 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!
7. The Hyundai Seoul Mall – 2025 Christmas theme is Harry’s Christmas workshop
1 November 2025 to 31 December 2025
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.
This years Hyundai Seoul Christmas 2025 theme is Harry’s Christmas workshop. Last year they created a whole new European Christmas village and circus style set-up on the fifth floor.
In 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.
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).
Pre booking for the slots is always announced first via The Hyundai Seoul’s social account or Kakaotalk accounts – they usually get snapped up within minutes so do keep checking their socials (we saw them most recently share the booking link on their Instagram stories).
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’.
8. The Hyundai Department Store Apgujeong Main Store – Harry’s Christmas Workshop
On now until 31 December 2025
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, unlike the better known Christmas village at The Hyundai Seoul).
In 2025, the Hyundai Apgujeong store has a theme of ‘Harry’s Christmas Workshop’, which continues with the teddy bears. Large Christmas trees and selfie zones have been set up at the Apgujeong main branch and the Trade Center branches of Hyundai.
9. 2025 Seoul Lantern Festival at Cheong-gye-cheon stream
12 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
Seoul’s annual Christmas lantern festival returns to Cheong-gye-cheon stream and Ui stream from 12 December 2025 (it used to be in Gwanghwamun Square with the Christmas Market) – the 2025 Seoul Lantern festival theme is “My Light, Our Dream, the Magic of Seoul”.
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 with over 200 lanterns of all shapes and sizes.
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.
New for 2024 / 25, there were lots of new workshops including making your own Christmas LED ornament (5,000 Won), a DIY Snowman Mood Lantern (10,000 Won) or even make a Santa Claus Mood Decorating Flower Norigae (also 10,000 Won).
Seoul Christmas lantern festival 2025 at Cheong-gye-cheon stream runs from 12 December 2025 until 4 January 2026 between 6pm and 10pm daily and is free admission. Visit the official website here >
10. Seoul Winter Festa 2025
12 December 2025 to 4 January 2026
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.
Home to the 2025 Seoul Winter Festa (along with other parts of the city), 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.
Full details of the 2025 Seoul Winter Festival are still to be announced with it encompassing the whole city taking place at venues like the DDP in Dongdaemun, Cheong-gye-cheon stream, Gwanghwamun, Bosingak Pavilion and more Seoul landmarks.
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.
Wrap up warm and enjoy the Seoul Christmas and New Year’s events that Seoul Winter Festa has to offer.
11. Ssamziegil shopping complex at Insadong
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.
12. Insadong Anyoung Shopping Centre / Jaturi Christmas Market – 2025
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.
13. Namdaemun Market Christmas stalls – 2025
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 2025 Seoul Christmas spirit, 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.
14. Yeongdeungpo Times Square – Christmas 2025
1 November to 31 December 2025
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 2025, Yeongdeungpo Times Square has a huge Christmas house with a towering 10 metre plus Christmas tree and a festive light show which illuminates every hour from 5pm to 8pm every evening.
To visit the Christmas house, you must register via the QR code kiosk on the 1st floor from 11am to 9pm daily.
15. Coex Mall Starfield Library – 2025
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.
P.S. An easy day-trip from Seoul, Suwon Starfield also has an equally impressive library which also lights up at Christmas. Check out our Suwon things to do guide >
16. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Christmas / 2025 Winter Seoul Light Festival
18 to 31 December 2025, 6pm to 9.30pm
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 and from 18 December, they will have a special Light Show projected onto the side of the DDP – details stil TBC so keep checking the DDP events page.
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.
17. Gwanghwamun Christmas Market
12 December 2025 to 31 December 2025
We attended the Gwanghwamun Christmas Market in 2023 and had so much fun – it is one of the best Christmas markets in Seoul with free admission and plenty of winter themed stalls selling Christmas gifts.
It usually runs from 5.30pm to 9.30pm on weekdays and 6pm to 10pm Friday through Sundays – the centerpiece is a huge Christmas tree surrounded by lots of Korean Christmas gifts.
Bring lots of Won as you’ll likely be buying loads of Christmas presents or enjoying marvellous mulled wine all night long!
18. Snoopy Seoul Christmas Town / Snowy Village
9 November to 31 December 2025 – 11am to 9pm
Snoopy comes to Seoul this Christmas (although on a much smaller scale than last year’s Everland Snoopy Christmas collaboration).
A cute Christmas pop-up in Jong-no, ‘Snowy Village’ / Snoopy Christmas Town is a festive partnership between Christmas tree sellers J Dot Tree and Peanuts.
The Peanuts pop-up in Seoul has lots of Snoopy themed Christmas trees and selfies spots plus exclusive merchandise – ideal for Snoopy Christmas stocking shopping!
Address: Snoopy Seoul Snowy Village 2025 – 12, Sajik-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
19. Everland Winter Festival / Christmas Parade & Wintertopia
28 November 2025 to 31 December 2025 – The Everland of OZ: X-MAS FANTASY
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.
New for 2025, you can now also visit an immersive K-Pop Demon Hunters zone – plus there is a nightly singalong K-Pop Demon Hunters fireworks show!
Everland’s Christmas theme for 2025 is The Everland of OZ: X-MAS FANTASY which features a A Bling-Bling X-mas Parade every day at 1pm, Santa and OZ X-mas photo sessions, 2 days Santa Village shoes and of course the K-Pop Demon Hunter fireworks at 7.30pm.
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. Given all the snow in Seoul this year, the pandas have already enjoyed their first taste of snow in 2024
The Everland Christmas celebrations just outside Seoul are set to run from mid November 2025 up to and including New Year’s Eve 2025/26.
Book your Everland One Day Pass with Klook >
Everland at Christmas admission is included as part of the Discover Seoul Pass.
20. IFC Mall – Christmas theme 2025 is a ‘Starry Christmas’
IFC Mall Seoul is great any time of the year but even more so at Christmas when they have decorations and displays. In 2022, there were dozens of huge penguins dotted all over the mall – when we visited IFC Mall last time, it was Santa’s Post Office.
In 2025, IFC Mall’s Christmas theme is Starry Christmas featuring astronauts and winter nights.
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)
South Korea Hallyu 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?
You might like – 30+ weird, wonderful and unusual things to do in Seoul including a ‘poo’ themed cafe >
21. Garden of Morning Calm Winter Lights Festival 2025/26
5 December 2025 – 15 March 2026
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 Garden of Morning Calm winter lights runs from 5 December 2025 until 15 March 2026. The lights switch on at 5pm until around 9pm (and 11pm on Saturdays).
Try this – Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival Tour >
22. Lotte Town Christmas Market / Lotte World Tower & Seoul Sky At Christmas
20 November 2025 to 4 January 2026; pre-reservation is required
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.
This Seoul Christmas, Lotte World Towers will be lighting up daily from mid November every 30 minutes from 5.30pm to 10pm daily in an array of festive colors and decorations including Father Christmas himself.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas day, this skyscraper will be turned into a colossal Christmas tree – plus for the first time, 3D projection mapping is being used to bring the tower to life!
At Christmas, Lotte World Tower has both a small snow scene at the top on the 121st floor (Seoul Sky admission fees apply) plus free ‘Wonderful Showtime’ themed Christmas activities on the ground floor concourse outside.
Down below in Jamsil World Mall Square, the 2025 Jamsil Lotte Town Christmas Market takes place and there is usually a sponsored ice-skating rink at Christmas outside Seoul Lotte World Tower.
New activities for 2025 include snow showers where snowflakes fall, a glowing heart light show plus lots of festive food and Christmas souvenir stalls.
This year’s largest Seoul Christmas Market, reservations for the Lotte Town Christmas Market must be made in advance using the links provided by Lotte’s social media channel @lotteshopping – this is a hot ticket so you will need to plan in advance.
23. 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. You can also check out our guide to hanbok photography sessions in Seoul.
Book your Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul here >
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. 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.
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.
27 Seoul Assitej Winter 2025 / 2026 – “When Children are Happy, the World is Happy”
26 December 2025, to 4 January 2026
A cultural post Christmas festival in Seoul’s Daehak-ro district, curated for families and young children, this winter festival in Seoul runs every January for just over a week.
In 2025, the Seoul Assitej Winter festival will feature seven headline performances (including puppet theatre, shadow theatre, and live music) at major venues in Daehakro, including SFAC theatre QUAD, Jongno Children’s Theatre, NC Cultural Foundation, and Hanye Theatre.
It is a family cultural experience festival that all ages can enjoy together, with performances, workshops and theatrics.
For the latest Seoul Assitej Winter line-up and ticket info, visit the official site here >
28. Hangang River Winter Festival 2025
19 December 2025 to 31 December 2025
Located on the banks of the river, this is a free family oriented festival that takes place over Christmas in Seoul.
Try some seasonal sledging, riverside selfie spots and photo opps, classic Christmas market stalls and winter illuminations – most activities are free although some are charged for.
For more information, visit Hangang River Festival official site >
29. New Year’s Eve Seoul City Hall Bell-Tolling Ceremony
See in 2025 in Seoul with this special New Year’s Eve event at Bosingak Pavilion (very close to HiKR Ground and Insadong).
Starting from 11.30pm on New Year’s Eve (31 December) until 00:30 1 January 2026, see in the South Korean New Year in style with some seasonal songs and beautiful bell-ringing.
There will be performances from local artists and a big singalong – this is a free Seoul New Year’s Eve 2025 event.
30. Eland River Cruise
This is a short river cruise on the Han River with an audio commentary which runs on Christmas Day!
There are several cruises per day, starting from afternoon cruises on the hour at 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm.
31. Our final suggestion for a Christmas in Seoul
If you are visiting Seoul for Christmas, a cracking Christmas present for 2025/ 26 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?
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Do you have a link for the Carol Cruise? Couldn’t find any information about it.
Hi there, this is where we found out about it https://www.instagram.com/p/ClpzeuvP7a9/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D