A year flies by in the blink of an eye, but strangely enough, the last 10 seconds of the year seem to slow down as if time has stopped, right? The countdown numbers go by in slow motion, and your heart beats harder than it should.
So we’ve got you covered: where to celebrate the most exciting and slowest 10 seconds of the year, and how to get home with the least amount of exhaustion from the crowds. We’ve rounded up the best places to countdown to the new year in Seoul, plus some practical tips for getting home.
1. Shinsegae Myeongdong Main Store – LIGHT NOW Countdown Show
If you want to ring in the New Year in Myeongdong, in the heart of Seoul, check out the countdown show at Shinsegae Myeongdong Main Store. The show, “LIGHT NOW,” is organized in conjunction with KBS and is quite large in scale, as it connects the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.
The MCs are comedian Kim Won-hoon and announcer Jung Eun-hye, who are the hottest “do or don’t do” actors these days. On stage, artists such as In Soon Yi, Sohyang, and Park Jung Hyun will be performing, making the last night of 2025 a great one.
⏰ December 31, 2025 (Wed) 23:00 ~ January 1, 2026 (Thu) 1:00 (2 hours live broadcast)
📍 Outdoor stage in front of Shinsegae Headquarters in Myeongdong Square (Naver map)
📌Application Information
🗓️신청 Period: December 10, 2025 (Wed) – 12.18 (Thu) until midnight
👯♂️모집 Number of people: 45 people for Stage A / 45 people for Stage B (all standing)
🎟️1인 2 tickets available, apply here! Jung-gu residents apply here.
❗Required fields: Applicant’s name, date of birth, contact information, application area (A or B), and companion’s name
Stage A: Moon Seyoon & Hanhae / Yoo Yong Byul / Ailee / BIGMAN / HYNN (Park Hye Won) / Haiki / Park Jihyun / SAY MY NAME
Stage B: In Soon Yi / Park Jung Hyun / HOOK / ONEWE / LAPOEM / 82MAJOR / CLOSE YOUR EYES / Youngbin
📌Home Tips
Now that you’ve braved the festival, it’s time to get home. Euljiro Entrance (Line 2) and Myeongdong Station (Line 4) are the closest, but the crowds can be overwhelming and there are often fare wars. I recommend waiting an hour or two at a nearby 24-hour cafe before heading home. Seoul usually extends public transportation until 2 a.m. after New Year’s celebrations, so be sure to check ahead for exact ride times.
2. New Year’s Eve Bell Ringing Ceremony at Boshingak, Seoul
No countdown in Seoul would be complete without the bells of the Boshingak New Year’s Eve, and while I’m not yet confident enough to brave the cold weather and crowds to watch it every year with my family in front of the TV, it’s this native Seoulite’s humble dream to count down in person. I hope you can fulfill this dream for this timid and inexperienced houseboy.
This year, there will be media performances and celebrations, so there will be plenty to see besides the bells.
⏰ December 31, 2025 (Wed) – January 1, 2026 (Thu)
📍Boshingak, 54 Jongno-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
📌Visitingand returningtips
The nearby roads will be closed from 9:00 on the 31st, and even the sidewalk on Jongno 8-gil may be closed from 10:30, so if you want to see the Tajong, you should go at least by 10:00. Before entering the crowds, you must use the restroom! We recommend using the restrooms at the station or nearby cafes.
And, most importantly, get home. The area around Jongno is absolutely stifling right after the bell rings. To help disperse the crowds, trains usually run non-stop through Jonggak Station on December 31st. It’s better to take a short walk and use the nearby City Hall Station (1-2), Jongno 3-ga Station (1-3-5), Euljiro Entrance (2), or Gwanghwamun Station (5).
3. Jamsil Lotte World & Lotte Tower
Lotte World Adventures
Countdown to Lotte World’s return after a two-year hiatus! Jamsil Lotte World will be keeping the park open past midnight on New Year’s Eve this year. The energetic countdown chant that starts 10 seconds in advance, accompanied by a simultaneous explosion of lights, music, and special effects, is a unique scene that can only be seen at Lotte World this year.
The special countdown show will be held in two locations.
- Countdown with characters, parades, and gala performances at Lotte World Garden Stage.
- A light show utilizing sculptures and illuminations around The Light of the Heart.
📌Tickets & VisitingTips
As the end of the year approaches, it’s always a good idea to check prices, benefits, and admission times through Lotte World’s official channels. As in previous years, there may be special tickets for certain times of the year.
Be sure to check Secret Seoul for more information and updates!
⏰ December 31, 2025 (Wed) – January 1, 2026 (Thu)
📍Lotte World Adventure, B1F, 240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea (Naver map)
Jamsil Lotte Tower
The fifth tallest skyscraper in the world, Lotte World Tower celebrates Seoul’s last night of the year with a spectacular fireworks display. At midnight, the tower’s exterior walls are illuminated and the fireworks go off simultaneously, instantly transforming the Jamsil skyline into a New Year’s atmosphere.
You don’t have to be right in front of the tower to see it. You can also enjoy the view from a little further away, such as Seokchon Lake, Olympic Park, a section of the Han River, and nearby rooftop cafes,so if you don’t want to get hit by people, you might want to check these out.
⏰ December 31, 2025 (Wed) – January 1, 2026 (Thu)
📍Lotte World Tower, 300, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
📌Tips for getting home
The Jamsil Station and Jamsil Naru Station area will be quite crowded after the event, so plan to walk one stopafter the fireworks tomake your journey easier.
4. Seoul Light Gwanghwamun
Gwanghwamun hosts a massive media facade countdown tothe new year . It’s a great place for couples and families to ring in the new year in the center of the city. More information will be posted later, so check back here for updates from Secret Seoul!
⏰ December 31, 2025 (Wed) – January 1, 2026 (Thu)
📍Gwanghwamun National Palace Museum, 12 Hyojaro-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea (Naver map)
5. DDP Countdown
When it comes to capturing the sophistication of Seoul, there’s no better place than DDP. If you want the most colorful, most stylish countdown, look no further than this year’s countdown!
The world’s largest unconventional media façade, the quintessential countdown fireworks show, and Park Myung Soo’s DJ stage.
Let’s welcome the first moments of 2026 with light, music, and explosive energy.
⏰ December 31, 2025 (Wed) – January 1, 2026 (Thu)
📍Dongdaemun Design Plaza, 281 Euljiro-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
📌Homebound tips
Even if it’s not a year-end countdown, expect crowds at Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station, which is always busy as a transfer station for lines 2, 4, and 5. You can also use the nearby Dongdaemun Station (1,4) or Cheonggu Station (5,6).
5. 2026 Sinchon Countdown Concert
Sinchon is not left out of the last minute celebration of 2025.
On December 31, 2025, Mont, Cybergirl, and Ewha Womans University cheerleading squad Pyrus will take the stage at the Sinchon Countdown Concert starting at 10pm.
If you want to ring in the new year in an atmosphere full of youthful energy, here are your options.
Dec. 31, 2025 (Wed) – Jan. 1, 2026 (Thu)
📍Sinchon Star Square, 19, Yeonsu-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
📌Must-haves for the countdown!
- Hot packs
- Insole hot pack
- Gloves, scarf, hat, earplugs, etc.
- Power bank
- Long padding
- Warm water in a thermos
- An open mind