![[December 12-14] What to Do This Weekend: The ‘BEST 5’ Seoul Hotspots – From ‘Winter Festa’ to ‘Morning Rave’!](https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretseoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/11161139/ethan-brooke-EY04XAMGQgs-unsplash-1-e1765437239138-1024x683.jpg)
Upcoming Weekend. Just because the temperature is dropping doesn’t mean my spirits are down!
What can you do this weekend?
1. Seoul Winter Festival
The granddaddy of Seoul’s winter festivals, Seoul Winter Festival returns this Friday.
From the Seoul Light Lantern Festival to the Gwanghwamun Christmas Market, there’s so much to see and do, so here’s how to plan your trip.
December 12, 2015 (Fri) – January 4, 2026 (Mon)
Seoul Light Lantern Festival
The ordinary Cheonggyecheon promenade is transformed into a winter wonderland, illuminated by lanterns. Each year the lanterns on display are different, so even those who went last year will find something new to enjoy. This year’s theme is “My Light, Our Dreams, and the Magic of Seoul,” with about 400 works on display, including a never-before-seen combination of hanji and media art. Another highlight of the festival is the rarely seen ‘aurora borealis’ production! Gone are the days of just watching the light festival. This year’s festival will be even more lively with sound, fog, and more.
Each area has different themes and exhibits, so it is recommended to start from Cheonggyecheong Square and go all the way to Samilgyo Bridge.
December 12, 2025(Fri) – January 4, 2026 (Sun)
📍 District 1 [Cheonggyecheong Square to Gwangtong Bridge] (Naver Map)
✨Miracle Seoul
📍 Zone 2 [Gwangtonggyo~Gwanggyo] (Naver Map)
✨Golden Secret
📍 Zone 3 [Gwanggyo ~ Jangtonggyo] (Naver map)
✨Dream Light
📍 District 4 [Jangtonggyo ~ Samilgyo] (Naver map)
✨Seoul Fantasia
Gwanghwamun Christmas Market
It’s December, and you deserve a cup of hot chocolate under a sparkling Christmas tree! Gwanghwamun Square, near Cheonggyecheon Stream, also hosts a Christmas market, so be sure to stop by. The market is organized like a “Santa’s Village in a winter fairy tale,” so you can give your little heart a little CPR. The 15-meter Christmas tree and Rudolph’s carousel are enough to make Santa make a special visit. You don’t have to go to Europe for a Christmas market, as small businesses from all over the country gather to form a special market. It’s right here in Gwanghwamun!
⏰December12, 2025 (Fri) – December 31, 2025 (Wed)
📍Gwanghwamun Square (Naver Map)
Seoulite Gwanghwamun
Even if you’re the Grinch who hates Christmas, Gwanghwamun is the place to be this weekend. That’s because of Seoulite Gwanghwamun. The entire Gwanghwamun area is illuminated with art. Under the theme “Gwanghwa, Breathe with Light,” 16 artists will be participating in this year’s event, including media facade exhibitions and light sculptures along Unsu-daero. Don’t miss the free exhibition, which features internationally renowned artists from Doug Aitkin, winner of the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, to Tzusoo. For those who are tired of just watching, there is even an interactive experience where you can join in by drumming together.
December 12, 2015(Fri) – January 4, 2026 (Sun)
📍Gwanghwamun and north side of Gwanghwamun Square (Naver map)
2. Morning Rave
What if your New Year’s plan is to wake up early on the weekend?
This Saturday, Bukchon is hosting Morning Rave, an event where you can dance like a club in the morning. You can shake off your morning sleep and the stress of the past week to songs at 120-130 BPM. Free coffee and caviar rice balls will be provided to the first 100 people, so what better way to start your weekend?
🎉YLESS × PROJECT120130 Morning Rave vol.3
⏰December 13, 2025 (Sat) 08:00-10:30 AM
📍 YLESS Bukchon, 58 B1 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
🎟️입장: Free (first come, first served) Apply at this link!
✅SilentDisco / Coffee & Finger food / K-Beauty experience / Caviar onigiri (limited to 100 people)
🎧DJ Line-up
Minji (KR)
PROJECT120130 Organizer & DJ.
Sterling Silver (AU)
Producer & DJ from Australia based in Seoul.
About Julian (BE)
DJ and multi-creator from Belgium.
3. Cat Charm Sculpture Exhibition
A special exhibition for butlers and wannabe butlers! This pop-up exhibition is a collection of goods and artworks with cat motifs. Starting with illustrations, ceramics, and fabric goods, there is also a ceramics workshop where you can make your own cat pottery, so you can take home cute cat goods.
December 10 (Wed) – December 14 (Sun), 2025
📍 Chunil House A, 1F, 10 Itaewon-ro 2-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
4. The Hugging Botanical Garden
Seoul Botanical Garden is organizing a special event. This weekend, the Seoul Botanical Garden will be transformed into a Garden of Light and a Garden of Fragrance! The Garden of Books, where you can sit back, read, and enjoy peaceful relaxation among the plants. There are also a variety of on-site participation programs, from emotional book concerts to a fragrant garden where you can make your own perfume. Those interested in these programs are advised to book at least one day in advance.
⏰December 3 (Wed) – December 14 (Sun), 2025
📍Seoul Botanic Garden, 161 Magokdong-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
Participating Programs
- Fragrant Botanical Garden December 12 (Fri)(Where to reserve)
- Anvil Flowers Blooming at Your Fingertips Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14, 11:00-12 :30 ( Where to reserve)
- Emotional Drum Concert Saturday, December 13, 14:00- 15:00 (Where to book)
- Tying a traditional knot to tie your heart Saturday, December 13, 13:00-15 :00 ( Where to book)
5. UNDERCITY presents DRUNKEN KONG
Tokyo Techno in Seoul?!
If you’ve got a weekend to burn, let’s shake it to the music and blow off some stress all night long! Tokyo Techno is coming to Seoul. Japanese techno artist Drunken Kong will be performing a three-hour set at UnderCity in Seongsu. Heavy kicks and tight rhythms create a groove. If you don’t know what Tokyo techno is all about, this is your chance to find out!
⏰ Schedule: December 13, 2025 (Sat) 21:00 – 03:00
📍 Venue: UNDERCITY, Seongsu (Naver Map)
Tickets: 🎟️ Tickets: 33,000 won in advance (available on the Dums app) / 44,000 won at the door
Born in 2000~2006: 20,000 won (ID check at the door) / 3,000 won discount at the door if you follow UNDERCITY on YouTube