The end of the 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.

Click here to find even more winter and Christmas events in Korea!

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: Twinkle Miracle Winter

• Period: Nov. 22 (Sat) ~ Mar. 2 (Mon)
• Address: 240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
• Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-21:00 (check official homepage as opening hours are subject to change)

Lotte World, Seoul’s only indoor theme park, is once again transformed for this year’s Twinkle Miracle Winter Christmas season! The park is filled with twinkling lights, festive photo spots, and special shows that’ll make it feel like you’ve stepped into a holiday fairy tale.

Outdoors, the centerpiece is the sparkling Christmas Castle, glowing brighter than ever with colorful illuminations and dreamy decorations. Inside, you’ll find the towering Miracle Tree, where you can take photos with Santa Big Lotty and friends surrounded by glittering Christmas trees and ornaments.

Along with that, evening parades, character performances, and seasonal decorations spread across both the indoor and outdoor zones, keeping the holiday vibe going all night!

Recommended deals:

• Lotte World Discount Ticket
• Lotte World Theme Park & Aquarium Combo Discount Ticket
• Near Lotte World: Korean School Uniform Rental
• Everland + Lotte World 1 Day Tour (+ Lotte Duty Free Shopping) – from Seoul
  

Recommended blog:

• Lotte World Winter Festival Guide 2025: What to See & Do

2. Everland: The Overland of OZ

• Period: Nov. 28 (Fri) ~ Mar. 1 (Sun)
• Address: 199, Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do (Kakao Maps)
• Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00 (check official homepage as opening hours are subject to change)

Everland is pulling out all the stops this winter with its enchanting Everland of Oz festival, turning the whole park into a magical wonderland straight out of a storybook. Step through glowing light tunnels, wander past Oz-themed photo zones, and take pictures in front of dazzling illuminations that transform the park into a dreamy winter paradise after dark.

Don’t miss the nighttime shows and parades, where characters from Oz come to life with music, dance, and festive energy! You’ll also find seasonal attractions, such as sledding runs and snow playgrounds, for classic winter fun.

Recommended deals:

• Everland 1 Day Pass
• Everland Discount Ticket & Shuttle Bus Package
• Everland Discount Ticket & Private Van Transfer Package
• Everland Round-trip Shuttle Bus (Seoul/Suwon ↔ Everland)
  

Recommended Blog:

• Everland Theme Park: Winter Festival Guide

3. Myeongdong Shopping Street

Myeongdong shopping street transforms into a winter wonderland full of sparkle and splendor during the Christmas season. As you wander through this lively hub, you’ll be greeted by a stunning display of lights that twinkle like stars, turning the bustling streets into an enchanted holiday paradise. At the heart of the glow up are the dazzling Lotte Department Store and Shinsegae Department Store, each putting on a show to impress visitors!

Lotte Department Store:

• Address: 81, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
• Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs 10:30-20:00, Fri-Sun 10:30-20:30
• Light Show Expected Schedule: Oct. 31 (Fri) ~ Dec. 31 (Wed)/ Daily 17:30-23:00

Shinsegae Department Store:

• Address: 63 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
• Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs 10:30-20:00, Fri-Sun 10:30-20:30
• Light Show Expected Schedule: Nov. 7 (Fri) ~ Jan. 31 (Sat),  Daily 17:00-00:00

Things to do around City Hall:

• Deoksugung Palace Half Day Tour
• Seoul Walking Tour: Gyeonghuigung & Deoksugung Palace

5. Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival

• Festival Period: Dec. 5 (Fri) ~ Mar. 15 (Sun)
• Address: 432, Sumokwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (Kakao Maps)
• Festival Hours: Sun-Fri 17:00-21:00, Sat 17:00-23:00 

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, which 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.

Recommended deals & activities:

• Garden of Morning Calm & Nami Island 1 Day Tour
• Nami Island + Garden of Morning Calm + Petite France + Italian Village 1 Day Tour
• Nami Island + Eobi Ice Valley (+ Garden of Morning Calm/ Rail Bike/ Petite France/ Alpaca World) 1 Day Tour
  

Recommended blog:

• All About the Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival

6. Lotte World Mall Square 

• Christmas Market Period: Nov. 20 Thurs) ~ Jan. 4 (Sun)
• Address: Lawn Square, World Park, Lotte World Tower 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
• Christmas Market Hours: 11:30-22:00 (Last Entry 21:30)

• Lotte World Tower Discount Ticket
• Lotte World (+ Seoul Sky/ Lotte World Aquarium) 1 Day Guided Tour
• Seoul Private Van Transfer Service within the City (24/7): from/to/between Seoul Station, Lotte World, and Hotel

7. COEX Mall Starfield Library

• Tree Display Period: Nov. 13 (Thurs) ~ Jan. 31 (Sat)
• Address: B1, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
• Opening Hours: Daily 10:30-22:00

COEX Mall’s Starfield Library transforms into a magical Christmas wonderland each winter, and this year is no exception! At the heart of the library stands a breathtaking 13-meter-tall Christmas tree, surrounded by golden lights, star-shaped ornaments, and festive decorations that create a dreamy atmosphere perfect for photos and holiday cheer. The space is filled with whimsical additions like a carousel, ferris wheel, and a pop-up book exhibition, making it feel like stepping into a holiday storybook.

Recommended deals & activities:

• SEA LIFE COEX, Seoul Aquarium Discount Ticket
• Seoul Highlights: Must-Visit Spots 1 Day Tour (+ Interactive Busking Performance)
  
• Modern Seoul 1 Day Tour in Gangnam with K-Style Curator: Bongeunsa Temple + COEX + Apgujeong Rodeo Street + Myeongdong

Things to do in Samseong:

• VAUNCE Trampoline Park Seoul Samseong Center
• K-pop Dance & Vocal Training 1 Day Class + Video Shooting Experience in Gangnam, Seoul
• K-pop Music Video Recording Experience (+ Dance Training) in Gangnam, Seoul
• Airport Limousine Bus (6103): Incheon Airport ↔ Gangnam COEX City Airport Terminal Discount Ticket
  

8. The Hyundai Seoul “Atelier de Noël”

• Period: Nov. 1 (Sat) ~ Dec. 31 (Wed)
• Address: 5F Sounds Forest, 108 Yeoui-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
• Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs 10:00-20:00, Fri-Sun 10:30-20:30 

The Hyundai Seoul‘s “Atelier de Noël” is a whimsical indoor Christmas village that feels like stepping into a storybook. The 5th floor “Sounds Forest” transforms into Harry’s Christmas Workshop, where you’ll find towering Christmas trees, cozy photo zones, and handmade decorations inspired by a French-inspired workshop theme. The centerpiece is a giant Christmas tree, surrounded by cottages, workshops, and magical touches like a fireplace, vintage books, and pine cones, all telling the heartwarming tale of Harry the teddy bear preparing gifts for children while Santa and his helpers rest!

Recommended blog:

• Best Things to Do in Yeouido, Seoul

9. Yeongdeungpo Times Square “Merry & Bright”

• Address: 15 Yeongjung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
• Opening Hours: Daily 10:30-22:00

Inside Yeongdeungpo Times Square, the “Merry & Bright Christmas” celebration turns the 1F atrium into a cozy indoor stage for holiday music and lights rather than just a backdrop for shopping. The towering Christmas tree glows under soft, twinkling lights, while “Snowfall Light Show” moments at night add a gentle flurry effect, making the whole space feel like an urban snow globe.

On select dates, live music performances bring in SM jazz trios and brass ensembles, so as you wander between stores, you’re accompanied by warm saxophone riffs and swingy Christmas arrangements instead of a standard mall playlist. It feels less like passing through a commercial complex and more like slipping into a pop-up indoor concert hall, making Times Square one of the most atmospheric places in Seoul to warm up, linger, and fully immerse oneself in the year-end mood!

Things to do in Yeongdeungpo:

•  Zoolung Zoolung Indoor Animal Theme Park Discount Ticket

10. Seoul Lantern Festival

• Period: Dec. 12 (Fri) ~ Jan. 4 (Sun)
• Address: Cheonggyecheon & Uuicheon (Kakao Maps)

The Seoul Lantern Festival, now in its 17th year since its inception in 2009, is a representative nighttime light festival of Seoul, offering dazzling attractions such as illuminated sculptures and various interactive programs. This year’s theme is “My Light, Our Dream, the Magic of Seoul”, and the lights will be switched on nightly from 6 PM to 10 PM, turning the downtown stream into a free, open-air gallery that feels equal parts art walk and winter date course.

Expect intricate traditional-style lanterns mixed with bold, character-led pieces (including this year’s much-hyped Pokémon displays), reflected in the water and framed by Seoul’s skyscrapers for dramatic photos. Start at Cheonggye Plaza near Gwanghwamun, stroll slowly toward Samilgyo Bridge, and let the lanterns guide you through one of Seoul’s most atmospheric night experiences of the season.​

Best Ways to Enjoy Cheonggyecheon Stream:

• Seoul Night Group Tour: Gwangjang Market + Changgyeonggung Palace + Cheonggyecheon Stream + Naksan Park
• Night Food Tour in Euljiro, Seoul
• Seoul City Night View Tour (+ Foodie Walking Tour option)
• Changgyeonggung Palace (+ Naksan Park/ Gwangjang Market) Night Walking Tour

11. Yongsan Park 

• Period: Nov. 25 (Tues) ~ Jan. 31 (Sat)
• Address: US Military Officers’ Quarters Complex 5, 221 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
• Opening Hours: Tues-Sun 09:00-18:00 (Last Entry 17:00), Fri-Sat 09:00-19:00 (Last Entry 18:00)

Yongsan Park’s Christmas Village brings a surprisingly “European resort” vibe to the middle of Seoul, with the former officers’ quarters in Yongsan Family Park transformed into a cozy holiday town of fir trees, twinkling lights, and oversized gift boxes. From late November through the end of January, you can wander cobblestone-style paths past toy-like Santas and a photogenic zone styled like a scene from a classic Christmas movie, ideal for outfit shots and family photos. Because it sits right next to the National Museum of Korea and Children’s Library, it’s an easy spot to pair with a culture stop in the afternoon before lingering under the lights as the park slowly turns golden at dusk.

Things to Do around Yongsan:

• Le Ai Hair & Makeup in Yongsan: Scalp & Hair Care/ Face Lifting & Scalp Lifting
• Seoul Nightlife Tour & Premium Pub Crawl in Itaewon/ Haebangchon/ Hongdae/ Gangnam
• Private Personal Color Analysis in Yongsan, Seoul (Season Of You)
• K-pop Concept Photoshoot near Itaewon, Seoul

12. Pocheon Herb Island Light Festival

• Address: 51, Cheongsin-ro 947beongil, Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (Kakao Maps)
• Opening Hours: Sun-Tues, Thurs-Fri 10:00-21:00, Sat 10:00-22:00 (Wed Off)

Pocheon Herb Island‘s Christmas season is basically a full-scale holiday fantasy, with the entire herb garden transformed into a glowing “light fairy tale” village that stays illuminated all winter long. Paths wind past Santa Village, a Venetian-style street, and tunnels of lights, with millions of bulbs wrapped around trees, rooftops, and even the ground, so it feels like you’re walking through a carpet of stars. It’s especially popular as a romantic night-out spot, with couples posing under rainbow bridges, glowing mushrooms, and oversized ornaments before warming up over herbal teas and bakery treats made with herbs grown on-site.

To have a fully packed day trip, you can visit the Pocheon Herb Island Illuminating Festival along with nearby destinations on these tours.

• Pocheon Romantic Winter Wonderland Tour from Seoul (Dec 1~Feb 28)
• Pocheon Sanjeong Lake + Bidulginang Cascade + Herb Island (+ Apple/Strawberry Farm options) 1 Day Tour – from Seoul
• Pocheon Private Van Tour: Sanjeong Lake & Herb Island

13. Siheung Premium Outlet European Christmas Market

• Period: Every Fri-Sun from Nov. 28 (Fri) to Dec. 28 (Sun) *Open daily from Dec. 19 (Fri) to Dec. 28 (Sun)
• Address: 699 Seohaean-ro, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do (Kakao Maps)
• Opening Hours: Daily 10:30-21:00 (May-Oct), Mon-Thurs 10:30-20:30, Fri-Sun 10:30-21:00 (Nov-Apr) 

Siheung Premium Outlet leans all the way into its “European Christmas Trip” concept, turning the open-air mall into a mini Northern European town with garlands, fairy lights, and a towering Christmas tree glowing above the central garden. On December weekends, the European Christmas Market brings in chalet-style booths selling hot drinks, seasonal snacks, and imported treats, so you can sip something warm between shopping stops and photos under the twinkling lights. Thanks to the wide plazas, it feels spacious rather than crowded, making it a fun day-trip spot if you want outlet bargains plus a Christmassy, overseas-holiday vibe without leaving the greater Seoul area!

Recommended Outlet Shopping Tours:

• Yeoju Premium Outlets Shuttle Bus From Seoul
• Hassle-Free Shopping: Yeoju Premium Outlet Private Van Package
• Paju Private Van Package: Heyri Art Village/ Paju Premium Outlet/ Provence Village
• South Gyeonggi Private Van Package: Getaway to Folk Village/ Dae Jang Geum Theme Park/ Yeoju Premium Outlet/ Hwaseong Fortress

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!

14. Busan Christmas Tree Cultural Festival

• Period: Dec. 5 (Fri) ~ Feb. 22 (Sun)
• Address: 1, Gwangbokjungang-ro, Jung-gu, Busan 

Busan tour Packages:

• Busan City 1 Day Tour (+ Yacht Tour/Sky Capsule/Beach Train option)
• Visit Busan in 1 Day from Seoul (Round-trip KTX tickets included)
• Busan Instagram Spots 1-Day Tour with Train & Sky Capsule
  
• Busan 1 Day Private Tour (Van/ Minibus/ Big Bus)

 15. Busan Oncheoncheon Light Festival

• Festival Period: Dec. 19 (Fri) ~ Feb. 1 (Sun)
• Lighting Ceremony: Dec. 19 (Fri) 17:00-18:00
• Citizen Participation Programs: Dec. 19 (Fri) – Dec. 31 (Wed)
• Address: Oncheoncheon Anrak-dong, Dongrae-gu, Busan (Kakao Maps)

Busan’s Oncheoncheon Light Festival turns the quiet stream into a dreamy neighborhood night walk, with colorful arches and twinkling installations reflecting off the water as you follow the path. The 3rd edition runs from December to February, with the lights switched on daily from 5 PM onwards, so you can visit after dinner without rushing. The opening ceremony on December 19 sets the tone with fireworks and a festive countdown near Suan Elementary School, where families gather to watch the first lights flicker on. On selected days through the end of December, extra citizen programs like food trucks, busking performances, and hands-on media activities turn one stretch of the stream into a small but lively winter street party, perfect if you want a local, less touristy light festival vibe.

Recommended evening activities:

• Busan Night & Foodie Tour (+ Snapshot option)
• Busan Ultimate Night Yacht Tour with M Drone Show
• Busan Haeundae Sky Capsule & East/ West Night View 1 Day Tour
• Busan Old Town & Sky Capsule Sunset/ Night View 1 Day Tour

 16. Haeundae Lighting Festival

• Period: Nov. 29 (Sat) – Jan 18 (Sun)
• Address: Udong, Haeundae-gu, Busan (Kakao Maps)
• Lighting Hours: 18:00-23:00