The end of a year is always the time for festive spirit and celebrations. Korea is not an exception – in fact, it’s probably one of the best destinations in the world to celebrate Christmas!
There are so many festivals and celebrations at this time of the year that the list goes on and on. This blog will attempt to cover just a few of them that are happening in Seoul, Busan, and Daegu.
In & Around Seoul
Seoul in December is bustling with Christmas events going on all over the city every year. Here are some of the best places to see amazing light festivals and decorations. Get into the holiday spirit in Seoul!
1. Lotte World: Miracle Winter
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- Period: Nov 19 ~ Dec 31, 2022
- Address: 240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Lotte World, the only indoor amusement theme park in Seoul will hold a Christmas light festival with the theme, “Miracle Winter: Lights Up”, until December 31st. In addition to the rides that are available at Lotte World promise to bring an amazing show with a variety of characters and performances throughout the evening.
The highlight of the festival is various special zones set up outdoors and indoors. Outside there is the “Snow Castle”, the enchanted castle lit up brighter than ever. Indoors there’s the “Miracle Tree” where you can take photos with Santa Big Lotty and his friends amongst the Christmas trees!
📌 Lotte World Discount Ticket
📌 Lotte World Theme Park & Aquarium Combo Discount Ticket
📌 Near Lotte World: Korean School Uniform Rental
2. Everland: Winter Wishes (Christmas Fantasy)
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- Period: Dec 1, 2022 ~ Mar 31, 2023
- Address: 199, Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
Everland is possibly one of the most famous and largest amusement parks in Korea. With this year’s “Winter Wishes”, Everland guarantees a fantastic display of lights at Magic Garden and fireworks that are sure to let you immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit.
The highlight of this year’s Christmas festivities has to be the “X-mas Fantasy”, in which you can enjoy various Christmas special performances, parades, and markets. Moreover, you can snow sled at “Snow Buster”, which is planned to open in the middle of December!
📌 Everland 1 Day Pass
📌 Everland Discount Ticket & Shuttle Bus Package
📌 Jisan Ski Resort & Everland 1 Day Tour
3. Myeongdong Shopping Street
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- Lotte Department Store: 81, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Shinsegae Department Store: 63, Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Along the famous shopping district of Myeongdong, awe-inspiring Christmas decorative lights have gone up!
The department stores, such as Lotte Department Store and Shinsegae Department Store, have set up beautiful Christmas decorations around their buildings. It’s perfect for you to take Instagrammable pictures!
Things to do in Myeongdong:
📌 Gaggum Hair Dream in Myeongdong
📌 Caricature Drawing Class in Myeongdong
4. Seoul City Hall Christmas Tree
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- Seoul City Hall: 110 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
Every year, a different themed Christmas tree is exhibited in the city hall.
5. Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival
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- Period: Dec 9, 2022 ~ Mar 19, 2022
- Address: 432, Sumokwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Spanning 82 acres, the Garden of Morning Calm boasts the largest collection of herbs in Korea. There are also areas themed after the Italian city of Venice and a French farm.
The different colors of the garden harmonize together to create beautiful, picturesque scenery. There are 30,000 lights of all colors illuminating the garden that will look amazing in photos!
You can easily get to the Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival by a shuttle bus that runs on weekends during the festival period.
📌 Garden of Morning Calm & Nami Island 1 Day Tour
📌 Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm & Petite France 1 Day Tour
📌 Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort & Garden of Morning Calm 1 Day Tour
📌 Seoraksan National Park & Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm 1 Day Tour
📌 Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort & Nami Island & Petite France & Garden of Morning Calm 1 Day Tour
📌 Nami Island & Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort & Garden of Morning Calm 1 Day Tour
6. Lotte World Tower
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- Address: 300, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Lotte World Tower is surrounded by dazzling golden Christmas trees and Christmas-theme pop-up stores during the Christmas season. You can enjoy the Christmas vibes after going up to the Seoul Sky Observatory, shopping at Lotte World Mall, or taking a walk at Seokchon Lake Park!
📌 Book Lotte World Tower Discount Tickets
Things to do in Jamsil:
📌 Traditional Korean Beverages Tasting & Drawing Class in Jamsil
7. Coex Mall Starfield Byeol Madang Library
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- Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
The central library located inside the Coex Mall boasts a sparkling Christmas tree and lights.
📌 Book COEX Aquarium Discount Tickets
Things to do in Samseong:
📌 VAUNCE Trampoline Park Seoul Samseong Center
8. The Hyundai Seoul Sounds FOREST
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- Address: 10, Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
The Hyundai Seoul is one of the most popular malls, not only in Yeouido but also in Seoul and its Christmas decorations for the winter season are already up! Don’t forget to take photos surrounded by sparkling lights and Christmas tree decorations.
Things to do in Yeouido:
📌 Han River E-Land Ferry Cruise
📌 63 Building Observatory Ticket: 63 Sky Art & Aqua Planet 63
9. Yeongdeungpo Times Square
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- Address: 15, Yeongjung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Yeongdeungpo Times Square is one of the most-visited and largest shopping malls in Seoul and you can see the cozy winter Christmas photo zones. Children especially love this place and it’s a lovely spot to take pictures!
10. Pocheon Herb Island Lighting Fantasia
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- Period: Nov 1, 2022 ~ Mar 31, 2023
- Address: 35, Cheongsin-ro 947 beon-gil, Shinbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Friends, families, and lovers can make precious memories together at Pocheon Herb Island Lighting Fantasia which is full of LED lights that make the place look like something out of a fairytale.
There is also an area called “Santa’s Village” with a 300-meter-long tunnel full of wishing cards that you can take a walk through.
Visitors can also enter hands-on programs such as herbal candle and soap making, pressed herbal flower arts and crafts, lavender pillow crafting, and more.
To have a fully packed day trip, you can visit Pocheon Herb Island Illuminating Festival along with nearby destinations by tour.
11. Siheung Premium Outlets Christmas Market
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- 699 Seohaean-ro, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do
Siheung Premium Outlet opens up a special fairy-like Christmas market.
12. Icheon Simmons Terrace
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- Address: 988, Sasil-ro, Moga-myeon, Icheon-si, Gyeongg-do
Simmons Terrace is a flagship store of the brand “Simmons” located in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do. Not only you can see the displays of their mattresses and interior designs, but also they have a beautiful cafe. This place becomes more special during the Christmas holiday by installing beautiful Christmas trees and decorations!
Busan & Daegu
The range of activities and festivals you can find outside of Seoul is definitely much more limited, but Busan is the second most populous city in Korea after Seoul, and there are definitely many festivals that can rival those in the capital. Also, don’t forget to check out the beautiful city, Daegu, which is not that far away from Busan!
13. Busan Christmas Tree Festival
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- Period: Dec 17, 2022 ~ Jan 29, 2023
- Address: 1, Gwangbokjungang-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
The Busan Christmas Tree Festival in Nampodong has been going on for 10 years in a row and has been making its name known as one of the biggest festivals of its kind in Korea.
The annual Christmas Tree Festival will feature many festive and family-friendly holiday activities including the tree of wishes, various street performances, and a photo and video contest. On top of the daily cultural and Christmas concerts, local visitors can also participate in the festival’s popular carol singing contest.
Things to do around Busan:
📌 Sea Life Busan Aquarium Discount Ticket
📌 Busan Luxury Cruise Tour
📌 Busan Diamond Bay Cruise (Arriving Soon)
📌 Eden Valley Ski Resort: 1 Day Ski & Snow Sled Tour
📌 Eden Valley Ski Resort: Ski/Snowboard Life Pass + Equipment/Clothes Rental
📌 Eden Valley Ski Resort: Private Ski/Snowboard Lesson
📌 Eden Valley Ski Resort Room Reservation
14. Daegu E-World & 83 Tower Miracle Winter Nights
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- Period: Nov 19, 2022 ~ Feb 28, 2023
- Address: 200, Duryugongwon-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu
Daegu E-World is holding “Starlight Festival Christmas Fantasy” where you can see the marvelous colorful lights everywhere. There is also a photo contest so check it out if you are interested!
📌 Book Daegu E-World & 83 Tower Discount Ticket
Things to do in Daegu:
📌 Daegu Alive Aquarium Discount Ticket
▼Find out where to capture the best X-mas lights in Korea ▼
- Top 5 Korean Ways of Celebrating Christmas
- Christmas in Seoul for Both Singles & Couples
- All About the Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival
Enjoyed reading our blog? Discover the beauty of Korea by heading to one of these Christmas light festivals in Korea. Stay tuned for more travel updates and happy holidays!
Don’t forget to check out Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop, for the latest, trendiest and newest things to do in South Korea.
[Photo Credits]
- Garden of Morning Calm Official Website
- insight.co.kr
- Pocheon Herb Island Official Facebook
- Busan Christmas Tree Cultural Festival Official Facebook
- Busan Christmas Tree Cultural Festival Official Site
- Illumia Light Festival Offical Website
Hey,
Just want to say thank you for sharing the pictures of places to visit in South Korea during Christmas. Actually, I am planning a trip to South Korea this Christmas with two of my boys and was searching for things to do while I am in Korea during Christmas and stumbled upon your site. Thanks again and Keep writing.