Best Places for 2023 New Year’s Celebration in Korea

Join the swing of events to celebrate New Year’s Eve and have a wonderful start to the year!

Getting excited about the New Year? In case you are wondering about where and how to celebrate New Year’s Eve, we’ve selected the best spots only. Join the waves of Koreans who come out to celebrate the New Year and have fun on December 31 and January 1, the way Koreans do! Take a look at what you can do in different places to welcome 2023 with your loved ones.

1. Seoul

End the year with fireworks and start it with a sunrise this New Year

COEX has always held magnificent fireworks show annually, and many people are expecting another spectacular New Year’s Celebrations fireworks show leading on from last year’s when fireworks ignited into many different colors. This year, Coex Winter Festival will be held from December 19th to 25th, 2022 (10 AM ~ 7 PM). There will be Yeongdongdae-ro Media Show where you can see the Esther Bunny that symbolizes the Year of Rabbit in 2023. For the new year’s countdown, Yeongdongdae-ro Countdown Wish Garden will be held, which was annually held by Hyundai Motors.

• Check out the COEX Aquarium discount ticket on Trazy!

Hear the ring of the Bosingak Bell, a traditional way to greet the New Year

In Korea, the tradition of ringing the landmark bell marks the end of a year and simultaneously the beginning of a new one. The Bosingak Bell, located near Jonggak Station (Line 1), is the landmark bell of Seoul. Every year, 16 people including the mayor of Seoul ring the bell 33 times at midnight between December 31 and January 1. This has become one of the most popular traditions in Korea since the Joseon Dynasty when the bell was rung every day to inform the start and end of the day. Nowadays, hundreds and thousands of Koreans head down to Bosingak Bell Pavilion on December 31 to bid farewell to the year and welcome the start of a new one.

Join the Gatsby NYE Countdown Party, a hipster Seoulite’s way to celebrate the New Year

Something that looks incompatible with another always coexists in this traditional but also modern metropolitan city of Seoul. On the one hand, people spend their year-end in a very traditional way at the Bosingak Pavillion, but on the other hand, there are some spending the same night full of partying with style at the 2023 Gatsby New Year’s Countdown Party.

The theme for this year’s overnight countdown party is, as you’ve probably guessed by now, “Great Gatsby”. So, don’t forget to get the fanciest of fancy dresses and suits prepared for the ultimate night of celebrations! This party will be held at Some Sevit Floating Island on the Han River in the middle of Seoul. You’ll get to enjoy happy-hour unlimited drinks, live performances, finger food, DJ parties, and mingle with people from all around the world!

• Get Your Tickets to 2023 Gatsby New Year’s Countdown Party

Get off to an “illuminating” start in 2023 at the Seoul Christmas Light Festival

Don’t bid farewell to the Christmas festivities just yet. Already into its 5th year, Seoul is back with its annual Seoul Christmas Light Festival – a truly amazing spectacle of dazzling lights to behold. Taking place along Cheonggyecheon Stream, the oasis within the bustling city of Seoul, these spectacular installations of LED lights will provide the perfect atmosphere for a night of romantic New Year’s celebrations. The festival will take place from December 16th to 31st, 2022 so make sure to head on over to Cheonggyecheon Stream this New Year’s eve for the most magical night of your lives!

Things to do around Cheonggyecheon Stream:

📌 Street Food Tour in Seoul (Arriving Soon)

Head over to Dongdaemun Design Plaza for a unique New Year Countdown experience

Another great place to celebrate the end of 2022 is Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). DDP presents SEOUL LIGHT a special event that through the use of innovative AI technology, highlights the role of display screens of public buildings – just like the unique exterior of DDP. Designed by Zaha Hadid, the one-of-a-kind silver wall of the building transforms into a gigantic display screen of spectacular lights which, together with the music, creates a truly magnificent sight to behold. Lay witness to the impressive convergence of art and technology right before your eyes and countdown to the start of a new year with your friends and family at the New Year Countdown!

• 2023 Seoul Light New Year Countdown & Sunrise at Jeongdongjin Beach from Seoul (Dec 31)

Start the year with a bang at Everland’s Countdown Show! (2022-2023 version is TBD)

Everland, the land of wonders and amusement, is bringing just that this New Year’s Eve. Join in the countdown to the new year at “2020 Begin Again with Everland”. What’s more, to celebrate the year 2020, the countdown will begin exactly 2020 seconds before midnight at 23:26:20 (11.26 pm) with about 16 thousand fireworks said to be prepared to go off when the clock strikes 12! This will be three times larger in scale than the normal fireworks shows at Everland. Can you imagine that? Fan favorites such as the Hello MINI Parade, Halloween Wicked Parade, and Moonlight Parade as well as many other shows and attractions will be joining in the festivities on this special night. There’s even an end-of-year club party prepared to get everyone into the New Year’s groove. What a way to welcome the new year!

2. Busan

Another very popular way to greet the New Year in Korea is to watch the first sunrise of the year and make a wish. Located in the far eastern corner of the Korean peninsula, Busan is one of the most popular locations for this because you can catch the sunrise earlier than the rest of the country. There are many locations that you can choose from to watch the sunrise and here are our recommendations.

Join the countdown at Busan Tower and watch the sunrise at Homigot Sunrise Square

Busan Tower is a countdown spot for many locals and tourists alike. Enjoy the countdown festival with dazzling lights and fireworks at the heart of Busan. Then head over to the iconic Homigot Sunrise Square in Pohang to watch the first sunrise of 2023.

• 2023 New Year Countdown at Busan Tower & Sunrise at Homigot – from Busan (Dec 31)

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a famous temple built on the rocks with a scenic ocean view

Built in 1376, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is a Korean Buddhist temple nationally renowned for its breathtaking ocean view.

Located in the northeast of Busan by the rocky seashore, the temple presents a picturesque scenery whether you look out to the sea from the temple or to the temple from the other side.

Taejongdae Park, a recreational area on the cliffs of Busan’s coastline

On New Year’s Day morning, Taejongdae Park bustles with people who make wishes to the rising sun. With refreshingly chilly ocean breezes,  you can catch beautiful views of the sea and cliffs. Also, on clear days,  you will be able to spot Tsushima Island, Japan. Walking along the road blanketed by pine trees, you’ll reach the rocky cliffs and encounter a panoramic view of the ocean.  There, you can find an observatory, a lighthouse, a snack bar, and a cafe to enjoy the scenic ocean view.

To explore the beauty of Busan easily and conveniently, see below:

• Busan Private City Tour – 1 Day Private Van Tour
• Busan 1 Day Bus Tour
• Busan City Tour Bus Discount Ticket
  

3. Jeju Island

Jeju Island is recognized globally for its strikingly beautiful scenery. Coupled with the majestic sunrise of the New Year, it would be a shame if you never get the chance to witness it.

Seongsan Ilchulbong, a tuff cone pushing the sun back up in the sky

Thousands of visitors flock to Seongsan Ilchulbong also known as Seongsan Sunrise Peak on New Year’s Day to catch the first sunrise of the year. As the name suggests, the peak offers a fantastic view of both the sunrise and the surrounding area of Jeju. The peak is 182 meters high with a huge crater in the middle. The tip of the peak is surrounded by 99 sharp rocks, making the peak resemble the shape of a crown. You can explore Seongsan Ilchulbong peak in many different ways, by car, bike, boat, and even by horse riding. See below to find various ways to tour around Seongsan Ilchulbong.

| The best tours in Jeju Island:

• 1 Day Small-Group Van Tour (+ Lunch)
• UNESCO 1-Day Small Group Tour (+ Lunch)
• Taxi Tour
• Private Driver & Van Tour
• Car Rental Service

| Activities near Seongsan Ilchulbong

• Horse Riding on Jeju Island’s Open Hillside at View Jeju Haneul
• Scuba Diving near Seongsan Ilchulbong in Jeju

4. Jeongdongjin & Naksan Beach

Jeongdongjin Beach, a romantic beach in front of a vintage train station

If Koreans want to catch the first sunrise of the year after hearing the ringing of Bosingak Bell in Seoul, many of them head right away to Jeongdongjin Beach on the east coast of Korea for an overnight trip. Watching the sun rising above the sea line, they pray for things they hope for in the coming year such as good health, prosperous business, and great academic results. After the sun lights up the eastern sky, you can visit the historical Naksansa Temple and the beautiful coastal cities of Gangneung and Sokcho.

• 2023 Seoul Light New Year Countdown & Sunrise at Jeongdongjin Beach from Seoul (Dec 31)
• Jeongdongjin Rail Bike Discount Ticket
• East Coast Sea Train Ticket Reservation: Gangneung ↔ Chuam

Naksan Beach, one of the most beautiful sunrise spots in Korea

Naksan Beach is one of the most beautiful sunrise spots in Korea. See the first sunrise of the year at Naksan Beach and explore the snow-capped mountain ranges at Seoraksan National Park. Also, visit 3 iconic destinations near Seoul: Petite France, Nami Island, and Garden of Morning Calm. Spend a jam-packed New Year’s Day and return home with renewed hopes for the year ahead!

• New Year Sunrise Tour: Naksan Beach + Seoraksan + Petite France + Nami Island + Garden of Morning Calm (Jan 1)
• Seoraksan National Park & Naksansa Temple 1-Day Tour
• Seoraksan National Park Private Tour

The New Year is drawing close and it’s time to start making plans! Join one of these New Year celebrations and greet the New Year in the Korean way during your stay in Korea. It will be a memorable beginning to the year 2020!

To find out more about Korea’s winter wonders and New Year’s events, visit Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop.

[Photo Credits]

Everland Official Blog

Dongdaemun Design Plaza Official Website