12 Places To Enjoy Christmas in Seoul | 2024 Seoul Christmas Guide
Coming to Korea during the holidays? Here are 12 places you can visit to feel the Christmas spirit in Korea!
- 1. Seoul Plaza Ice Rink | 서울 광장 스케이트장
- 2. Cheonggyecheon Stream | 청계천
- 3. Gwanghwamun Market | 광화문 마켓
- 4. Lotte Christmas Market & CHANEL Holiday Ice Rink | 롯데 크리스마스 마켓 & 샤넬 홀리데이 아이스링크
- 5. The Hyundai Seoul Christmas: Le Grand Theatre | 더현대서울 크리스마스 LE GRAND THEATRE
- 6. Myeongdong Cathedral | 명동성당
- 7. Lotte World | 롯데월드
- 8. Everland | 에버랜드
- 9. Namsan Seoul Tower | 남산 서울 타워
- 10. Yeongdeungpo Times Square | 영등포 타임스크웨어
- 11. COEX Starfield Library | 코엑스 스타필드 별마당 도서관
- 12. Sinchon Yonsei-ro | 신촌 연세로
Koreans think of Christmas as more of a romantic holiday than a religious or family holiday. Lovers usually spend Christmas together as it is considered a very special day for couples. Many people like to visit giant Christmas trees, exchange gifts, and dine out at fine restaurants.
Here is a list of places in Korea with the best Christmas decorations so that you can visit them and spend this time of the year full of pleasant surprises!
12 Places to Enjoy Christmas in Seoul
1. Seoul Plaza Ice Rink | 서울 광장 스케이트장
During Christmas season in Korea, Seoul Plaza, located at City Hall, becomes a very vibrant place for celebrating the holidays. Every year, a giant cone-shaped Christmas tree sparkles brilliantly at the square. Many people visit this place for a romantic evening out or for fun with friends!
The city also sets up a large ice skating rink every year in December, which anyone can enjoy for just 1,000 KRW (1000) per hour!
Schedule: December 20, 2024 ~ February 9, 2025
Grand Opening: December 20, 2024 18:00 (Skate rink open to public from 21:30)
Hours: Sun-Fri 10:00-21:30
Sat & Holidays 10:00-23:00
Christmas Day (12/25) & New Year's Eve (12/31) 10:00-01:00 (next day)
Address: 110 Sejong-daero, Euljiro 1(il)-ga, Jung District, Seoul
서울특별시 중구 을지로 12
2. Cheonggyecheon Stream | 청계천
Every year the city of Seoul holds the Seoul Lantern Festival, which includes a variety of events that take place in the middle of Seoul. There are two main events that you can check out during this festival!
Winter, Lights of Cheonggyecheon | 겨울, 청계천의 빛
Every year, there's a huge Christmas tree set up at Cheonggye Plaza and lots of fun decorations along the stream.
Cheonggyecheon Stream is a place that many local families, couples, and friends like to hang out at all throughout the year, but it is especially worth visiting during Christmas with all the decorations and lights!
It's a great place to walk around and take photos at with family, friends, or a significant other!
Schedule: December 13, 2024 ~ December 31, 2024
Hours: Every day 18:00-22:00
Address: 1 Taepyeong-ro 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울 중구 태평로1가 1
Seoul Lantern Festival | 서울 빛초롱축제
Credit: Seoul Tourism Organization
You can also see the Seoul Lantern Festival at Cheonggyecheon, which runs from Cheonggye Plaza to Samilgyo Bridge.
The festival includes a bunch of different events and experiences, but the main attraction is the lantern parade along the stream!
Schedule: December 13, 2024 ~ January 12, 2025
Hours: Every day 18:00-22:00
Address: 148 Cheonggyecheon, Seorin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Cheonggye Plaza ↔ Samilgyo Bridge)
서울특별시 종로구 서린동 148 청계천
3. Gwanghwamun Market | 광화문 마켓
Credit: Seoul Tourism Organization
You can check out one of Seoul's Christmas markets at Gwanghwamun, which is located in front of the famous Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Not only can you enjoy the festive vibes and holiday spirit, but you can also check out the different trinkets and seasonal items for sale!
Schedule: December 13, 2024 ~ January 5, 2025
Hours: Mon-Thu 17:30-21:30
Fri-Sun 18:00-22:00
Address: 172 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 세종대로 175 세종이야기
4. Lotte Christmas Market & CHANEL Holiday Ice Rink | 롯데 크리스마스 마켓 & 샤넬 홀리데이 아이스링크
Credit: Lotte Department Store
Another Christmas market you can visit in Seoul is the Lotte Christmas Market, located in Jamsil right by the Lotte World Mall!
There are tons of things to enjoy at the market, such as holidays foods/drinks, Christmas goods, and more! You can buy an entry ticket to the Christmas Market for 2,000 KRW on-site, but may need to wait depending on how many people are there.
There's even a huge Christmas tree and a brightly lit up merry-go-round that's perfect for photos!
There's also an ice rink that Chanel opens every year that's part of the Christmas market!
You'll need to show proof of a purchase at the Lotte World Mall or Christmas Market of 100,000 KRW or more for 2 entry spots. You can also book a time for free online, but you'll need a Korean phone number to do so. Keep in mind that you must have gloves in order to enter the rink!
Christmas Market Schedule: November 20, 2024 ~ January 5, 2025
Christmas Market Hours: Every Day 10:30-22:00
Chanel Ice Rink Schedule: November 21, 2024 ~ January 12, 2025
Chanel Ice Rink Hours: Every Day 12:00-20:45
Last Entry: 20:00
Address: 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
서울 송파구 올림픽로 300
5. The Hyundai Seoul Christmas: Le Grand Theatre | 더현대서울 크리스마스 LE GRAND THEATRE
One of the most popular department stores in Korea is The Hyundai Seoul, located in Yeouido. Every year, the mall is decorated with the most extravagant Christmas decorations!
There are many special events, Christmas goods, and photo zones to enjoy during this time! It's a very popular event, so you'll need to put your name down on the digital waiting list, which opens at 11:30 and can be accessed via QR code. It may take a few hours, so you can look around the mall while waiting for your turn to enter!
Schedule: November 1, 2024 ~ December 31, 2024
Hours: Every Day 10:30-20:00
Address: 108 Yeoui-daero, Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul
서울 영등포구 여의대로 108 더현대 서울
6. Myeongdong Cathedral | 명동성당
There are many Christian and Catholic churches in Korea, which adds to the enthusiasm for Christmas in Korea. Plenty of Christmas decorations can be found at many of the churches!
The beautifully lit Myeongdong Cathedral is one of the best places to feel the holiday charms.
Even if you're not religious, it's a great place to see the large cathedral and all the decorations surrounding it!
Address: 74 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 중구 명동길 74
7. Lotte World | 롯데월드
Lotte World is a popular amusement park in Seoul that is loved by locals and foreigners alike! Every night at 8:40 PM, Lotte World's Magic Castle lights up, and has special Christmas-themed decorations during the holidays!
Don't miss out on the joyful performances including live jazz music, Christmas-themed shows, and the famous Happy Christmas Parade.
Some performances may be canceled or changed depending on the situation, so be sure to refer to Lotte World's official website before visiting! You can also check out our blog in the link below for a full review of Lotte World during the Christmas season and for discounted tickets!
Schedule: November 23, 2024 ~ December 31, 2024
Hours: Every Day 10:00-21:00 (12/22~12/24 10:00-22:00)
Address: 서울특별시 송파구 잠실동 올림픽로 240
240 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
8. Everland | 에버랜드
Everland is another famous amusement park in South Korea, and this place also holds a grand celebration during the Christmas season. The entire park is filled with a celebratory Christmas atmosphere. Make a wish in front of the giant Tower Tree!
Although it is located just outside Seoul, many locals make a day trip to Everland to enjoy the festivities in the big amusement park. Along with the Christmas Parade, you can enjoy many rides and other facilities.
If you get hungry or want to shop for holiday souvenirs from all over the world, stop by the Christmas Market!
Hours: Every Day 10:00-20:00 (Please check the official site for updated hours)
Address: 199 Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 용인시 처인구 포곡읍 에버랜드로 199
9. Namsan Seoul Tower | 남산 서울 타워
Another very romantic place to spend Christmas in Seoul is the N Seoul Tower, where many couples come up to secure and promise their love to one another with a lock.
Every Christmas, N Seoul Tower will light the famous love lock trees. It's an alluring array of medium-sized Christmas trees.
It is especially pretty when it snows, as the branches of the love lock trees are covered with snow and become very picturesque.
If you are not a huge fan of a massive Christmas crowd, you may want to avoid N Seoul Tower during the Christmas season. But everyone, from solo travelers to couples, to families and friends, are all welcome and can enjoy the holiday festivities!
Address: 서울 용산구 남산공원길 105
105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
10. Yeongdeungpo Times Square | 영등포 타임스크웨어
A grand Christmas tree lit with golden bulbs stands tall in Yeongdeungpo Times Square. The small tents under the Christmas tree create a fairytale-like atmosphere! You can sit in a chair under the lights for a while and enjoy the tree.
Before COVID-19, Christmas parades were held on December 24th and 25th at Yeongdeungpo Times Square, and many people would gather to watch.
Hours: Every Day 10:30-22:00
Address: 서울 영등포구 영중로 15 타임스퀘어
15 Yeongjung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
11. COEX Starfield Library | 코엑스 스타필드 별마당 도서관
This is an indoor spot where you don't have to worry about not being able to enjoy Christmas due to the cold weather. COEX Mall is a large shopping mall with a variety of brands, an aquarium, and a movie theater in one place in addition to the Starfield Library.
Every year, a shining 10-meter-high tree is set up in the middle of the library for the holidays.
Can you see the big tree in the middle of the picture? In 2018, at the Starfield Library, there was a 9-meter-high tree made of 14,000 books!
Hours: 10:30-22:00
Address: Starfield COEX Mall B1, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 강남구 영동대로 513 스타필드 코엑스몰 B1
12. Sinchon Yonsei-ro | 신촌 연세로
If you want to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in downtown Seoul, you should check out Yonsei-ro in Sinchon. It's a street that goes from Sinchon Station to Yonsei University and is always bustling with life as it is in a university area.
On New Year's Eve, a huge Christmas tree lights up on Yonsei-ro. You can see colorful Christmas decorations on the streets during December! During Christmas and New Year's, the surrounding area usually gets very crowded, so please keep that in mind.
Address: Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 서대문구 연세로
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Which place are you keen on visiting the most? Let us know in the comments below! We wish you happy holidays and the best in the coming year! If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment below or send us an email at help@creatrip.com. You can follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea!