Top 6 Christmas Destinations in Seoul

Hear those sleigh bells jingling? ‘Tis the season to enjoy a cup of steaming hot chocolate, listen to store speakers blasting with Mariah Carey and Michael Buble and stroll down glittering winter streets in hues of red, green, and gold. Seoul knows how to celebrate this festive holiday with its huge Christmas trees, extravagant light shows, and public fairs to revive the festive Christmas spirit in you.

The Hyundai Seoul department store Yeoido

This year The Hyundai Seoul Department store has created a winter wonder village on their top floor. Named “H village” this beautiful christmas village has wooden cabins filled with teddy bears, tall christmas cakes, candle lights and snow covered trees. Decked with gold lights, hundreds of red bears, and decorations, the gigantic christmas tree presented as a centerpiece will leave you in awe. The perfect christmas present does indeed exist, a Christmas flea market(pop-up store) is open selling the best snow globes, ornaments, lights,plush toys and more. Presented 3 times a day, shoppers can see the grand lighting show that uses over 6000 lights dancing to the merriest christmas carols.

Christmas in Myeongdong

Looking for a place to find those last-minute Christmas presents or souvenirs for your family and friends? The shopping streets of Myeongdong during this time of year will be the best to go on a fun shopping spree. This popular tourist location is filled with Korean boutiques, makeup brands, apparel trendy cafes, restaurants, and more. Explore the windows filled with decorations and lights that make the perfect winter scenery across the blocks filled with stores.

Head next door to find the famous Myeongdong cathedral. A symbolic destination for the Christmas season, the church was established in 1989 being the oldest roman Catholic architecture situated in the heart of Seoul. It’s known for its public Christmas Eve service, small charity markets, and of course its grandiose gothic structure.

Ice Skating at Seoul Plaza Ice Rink

The Seoul Plaza ice skating rink is back open in 2 years. Starting December 16th, 2022, to next year February 5th, the ice rink will be open to the public for 52 days. This ice rink located next to the Seoul City Hall has been loved by the public for 17 years with over 274 million people visiting till today. The Seoul Plaza packs a 14,000- square-foot ice skating rink with a separate children’s zone which includes snow sledding and various family programs. Iceskating your first time? The rink also provides many skating lessons and ice-curling sessions every day as well. Not a skater at all? Aside from skating, the plaza area will hold other events, food trucks, and small cultural concerts. Open every weekday from 10 AM to 9:30 PM, and on weekends and holidays from 10 AM to 11 PM. Especially on Christmas and New years will be open until 1 AM in the morning.

DDP’s extraordinary winter light shows ( Seoul light festival)

Leaving the architectural beauty itself, the DDP ( Dongdaemun Design Plaza) designed by the world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, is a must-visit this winter. Famous for its sculptured curves and colossal edifice, the DDP holds numerous exhibitions, fashion shows, conferences, and domestic, and international events. Starting in December, DDP puts on the biggest light show, a son-et Lumiere extravaganza across the silver starship-like structure. Imagine hundreds of colored lasers and lights pulsing in changing colors across the facade, surrounded by rousing sound effects and music. “DDP Seoul Light Festival'' will kick off with an online forum with professionals from the art & science fields to discuss how each of them portrays “Space” (Open discussion with the public online). The main media show “ DDP Meets Space: Rendez-Vous'' will be displayed from December 16th to 2023 January 1st every day. Around Christmas, the Seoul Light Christmas Event “Christmas isn't lonely when we are together” will perform art shows, events, and small flea markets. The fun doesn’t stop here, on New Year's eve, there will be a countdown event with a stunning performance of lasers and lights.

Lotte World

For those looking for more fun and a magical Christmas experience, there are two major amusement parks in Korea that will fill your holiday cup with the festive spirit. Lotte World and Everland transform their whole complex into a complete winter wonderland.

Lotte World is known as one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world, the harsh winter weather has no match here. This entertainment complex not only holds a grand theme park but also houses a luxury hotel, a folk museum, an indoor ice skating rink, an aquarium, and of course a shopping mall. The theme park turns into a magical wonderland with Christmas parades and winter performances filled with Santas, Elves, and Snow fairies. The iconic “Magic Castle” at night transforms into a dazzling Christmas palace bedecked with ornaments, sparkly icicles, fairy lights, and tinsel. Scattered around the whole park are exciting attractions from rollercoasters to spinning teacups enjoyed by all ages.

EVERLAND

Everland, Located down south of Seoul is an hour and a half drive but is worth a whole day's visit. Being the largest Amusement park in South Korea, they truly do it differently in scale. Find bold attractions scattered around the 1,200,000 square yard map, spread across five different themed zones. This includes Korea's first and largest wooden rollercoaster: “T-Express”. Look for their Winter Garden, Christmas flea market, firework show, glittering night parade, and extravagant light shows for the perfect Christmas getaway.