You can’t spend Christmas in Seoul without visiting the Myeongdong branch of Shinsegae Department Store. You can check out the well-known Christmas spot in Seoul with a giant tree here, and here are some other places to visit.
1. Gwanghwamun Market
A large tree is no longer enough to satisfy those who want a multifaceted experience. In recent years, several Christmas markets have popped up in Seoul. While most of them were organized around department stores and malls, the Christmas market that has been held annually in the spacious Gwanghwamun Square since its reopening has a more European look. With Gwanghwamun as a backdrop, the Christmas market is a perfect way to experience the Christmas spirit of Seoul.
📍Gwanghwamun Square, Sejongno Park
🗓️ Friday, December 13, 2024 – Sunday, January 5, 2025
2. Cheonggyecheon Seoul Lantern Festival
After stopping by Gwanghwamun Market, head down to Cheonggyecheon to enjoy the Seoul Light Lantern Festival, and you’ve got yourself an easy and surefire Christmas date. Seoul’ s representative nighttime light festival, which began in 2009 and is now in its 16th year, features a variety of light sculptures and experience programs.
📍Cheonggyecheon Square and Cheonggyecheon Stream Area
🗓️ December 13, 2024 (Fri) – January 12, 2025 (Sun)
3. Entry55 Jazz Performance
Christmas and jazz go hand in hand. You can listen to jazz while snuggled up in your blankets with thick socks and hot chocolate with marshmallows, but why not go to a live jazz concert for a change of pace? Entry 55 has live jazz performances every day. During the Christmas season, they have special programs, so follow them on Instagram for updates.
📍Seongsu Branch, 60 Seongsuil-ro 8-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
4. Myeongdong Cathedral
It’s nice to see a place that looks like its original appearance in other seasons and then changes into Christmas clothes in winter. This is a place that stands as if it was originally built for Christmas, and when the yellow light envelops the building at night, it somehow has a winter spirit all year round. Myeongdong Cathedral is a red brick church with a Gothic style. When Christmas approaches, the hill is decorated and looks even more beautiful.
📍CatholicismSeoul Catholic Archdiocese of SeoulMyeongdong Cathedral
5. 100 Years of Disney Special Exhibition
Fantastic is a good word for Christmas. Disney has been inspiring the world for the past 100 years, so why not take a nostalgic trip to the Disney 100 Years Special this Christmas? It’s a massive dig through the Walt Disney Company’s archives, from Mickey Mouse to Frozen, Star Wars to Marvel. You can book tickets here.
📍K Museum of Contemporary Art
🗓️ Friday, October 18, 2024 – Tuesday, December 31, 2024
6. Candlelight: Christmas Special
Candlelight, a magical time of living musical lights, presents a Christmas special performance. Thanks to diligent planners, Seoul’s Candlelight Christmas special performances are already sold out, and a new program has been added to the mix. This time, the show will take place at the Jeongdong 1928 Art Center, tucked away on the quiet Deoksugung-gil street in Jeongdong. The classic carols will be reinterpreted by a string quartet. Tickets can be purchased here.
📍Jeongdong 1928 Art Center
🗓️ December 22, 2024
7. Lotte World Miracle Winter
Lotte World is also famous for its Christmas media facade. Shinsegae Myeongdong and Lotte World Tower are all good, but when the iconic Magic Castle is wrapped in Christmas colors, the scenery is the best in the world of Christmas media facades. Add in the attractions and you’ll be in the right mood.
📍Lotte World Adventure
8. Dior Seongsu
Dior Seongsu opened in 2022 and is responsible for the photo zone in Seongsu-dong. If you don’t want to go to a Christmas spot that’s impossible to spot in winter, this is a good alternative. The Parisian Haussmannian-style Dior Seongsu, with a star on top, looks like a tree in the shape of a building, so it’s a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.
📍7, Yeonmujang 5-gil, Seongdong-gu