The Christmas season has begun this 2024… at least Starbucks seems to suggest so since they’ve started playing their Christmas CD on repeat. Who is getting excited for the Christmas tree at Starfield Library in COEX and the twinkle lights? Everyone is in search of where to get the holiday goods, gifts and more so I culled this list of markets to check out with mulled wine to quench the holiday thirst, gardens with twinkling lights and holiday events. What will you get into this holiday season?

This post has been updated for 2024 and more will be added as companies release their events and restaurants, so get ready. With that, here is what you can find in Seoul, Korea this year if you want to celebrate Christmas 2024! 

Check out this complete list of where to go and what to see this Christmas in Seoul for lights, ice rinks, food, fun and more this holiday season!

There’s a lot of info here, so here are the sections I’ve made. Feel free to skip down to what you’re most interested in.

• 2024 Christmas Markets & Events
• Twinkling Sparkling Lights!
• Ice Skating/Sledding In & Around Seoul
• Food & Fun
• Holiday Concerts & Performances

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale at no cost to you.)

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2024 Christmas Markets & Events

There is a lot of shopping to be done this holiday season. Here are the special Christmas markets  in Seoul, but if you just need to get some shopping done, here are the shopping districts to head to for the fashion, k-beauty, and other great gifts for friends and family.

Also, if you have some Korea loving friends and family back home that you’re shopping for this holiday season, check out these awesome gift ideas for the K-drama fan, K-Pop fan, or K-language learners too!

Dongdaemun Christmas Shopping

If you’re looking for Christmas decorations and doodads, look no further than Dongdaemun. There is much to be found in the shopping district in central Seoul and come winter there is a ton, let me repeat, a ton of holiday decor to be found if you know where to look.

Places To Check In The Area:

• Cheong-O (청오가방도매상가): 229 Cheonggycheon-ro, Jongno-gu (종로구 청계천로229): Walk out of Jongno 5-ga Station, exit 6. Walk straight toward the stream and turn left without crossing the street to the stream and you’ll find the store on your left.
• Dongdaemun Station, exit 8. If you walk straight and turn right after the stream and walk toward Bangsan Market, you’ll find other streets and shops that have Christmas items.

Namdaemun Christmas Shopping

Personally, I get lost every time I go to Namdaemun market because it’s massive and there is so much to see. It’s a fantastic place to get everything you could possibly want for great prices and they also have tons of Christmas decor too. You could really do all of your holiday shopping here from decor to gifts. For decor though, here are some shops to check out:

• Daedo General Shopping Center (대도종합상가): 9 Namdaemun Market 4-gil, Jung-gu (중구 남대문시장4길 9): Go into building E to the 3rd floor for some good finds.. but also just wander and you’ll find more more more!

Santa Village at Gwanghwamun Square

December 13, 2024 ~ January 5, 2025

A newer addition to the holiday scene in Seoul, head to Gwanghwamun Square to find a lovely collection of wooden buildings each housing local creators and craftsmen. It’s a cozy atmosphere in the evening as the twinkle lights turn on. Don’t miss a walk through this area. The market is open Monday – Thursday from 5:30pm ~ 9:30pm and Friday – Sunday from 6:00pm ~ 10:00pm.

Handmade Market Korea

• HMK Online Market: November 10, 2024 from 2:00pm ~ 10:00pm
• Holiday Market Itaewon: November 23, 2024 from 1:00pm ~ 4:30pm

Handmade Market Korea is a group that hosts live and online markets throughout the year and promote local small businesses and creators. They are hosting a number of markets to get into the holiday season. Check out the info above for both online and in-person markets.

Marche de Noel Market

Date: December 7, 2024: 10:00am ~ 4:00pm

One of the most popular Christmas markets in the city. Located at the Seorae Maeul Park, there will be mulled wine, cheese, foie gras, smoked salmon, and more. There is usually a visit from Santa Claus, carol singing, and a clown that visits. This is a very popular market, but note that the park is quite small so be prepared for a crowd.

• Address: Seorae Maeul Pari 15-gu Park; 68-2 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul (서울시 서초구 반포동 68-2)
• Get more information about Marche de Noel Market

Seoul Foreign School Christmas Bazaar

Date: November 29, 2024: 9:00am ~ 4:00pm

• Address: 39 Yeonhui-ro 22-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (서울 서대문구 연희로22길 39 서울외국인학교)

Marche de Noel by Lycee International Xavier

Date: December 14, 2024: 10:00am ~ 3:00pm

Another French Christmas market, this one is hosted by the Lycee International Xavier and has all of the winter delicacies you could want, raffles, crafts for sale, and more. There will also be special performances.

• Address: 23 Bibong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울시 종로구 비봉길 23)
• Get more information about Marche de Noel at LIX.

The European Christmas Market

Date: December 7-8, 2024: 11:00am ~ 7:00pm

Located in the Seongbukcheon Fountain Square out of Hansung University Subway Station, this is a great market that has European Christmas cuisine, ornaments, carol singing, and performances. It’s hosted by the Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, and Hungary embassies and is in it’s 11th year. It’s a great spot to check out.

• Address: Seongbukcheon Fountain Square, Dongsomun-dong 2-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (성북천분수광장; 서울시 성북구 동소문동 2가)
  • You’ll be able to spot the market from exit 2 or 3 of Hansung University Subway Station.

Dulwich College Christmas Fair

Date: December 7, 2024: 11:00am ~ 5:00pm

• Address: 6 Sinbanpo-ro 15-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul (서울 서초구 신반포로15길 6 덜위치칼리지서울영국학교)

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Twinkling Sparkling Lights!

From the Galleria Department Store to Seoul Plaza, Times Square and Lotte Department Store, there are a number of places to go in order to see a grandiose Christmas tree in all it’s splendor, but to get that much more into the spirit, head to these places for all of those twinkling lit up hot spots that will remind you of Christmas back home.

Myeong-dong, where you’ll likely be headed for some Christmas gifts anyway also has numerous building facades lit up for the holidays so stay into the evening to see them in all their festive glory.

Myeongdong Cathedral Christmas Lights

If you’re looking for that quintessential nativity scene among other beautiful light displays, be sure to visit South Korea’s oldest Roman Catholic cathedral which was consecrated in 1898.

• Address: 74 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울시 중구 명동길 74)

Santa’s Village at Herb Island

Through the month of December and into the spring 2025

Head to Herb Island and visit Santa’s Village located in a nut pine forest. The village takes their inspiration from Finland’s village of the same name and showcases 300 Santa sculptures, Christmas trees and a 300 meter long light tunnel.

Everland Winter Wishes

Everland hosts a beautiful wintery festival each year. Visit the Magic Garden with beautiful sights, lights, and golden photo-ops. Head further into the park to find the Tower Tree, a very tall Christmas tree that you can’t miss. The event features A Jingle Bamm Christmas Parade with elves, Santa, and more fun holiday characters.

Visitors can also visit the Very Merry Santa Village and then take kids to see “Lenny’s Great Adventure Finding The Dragon Castle” which is a special performance for the holidays. There is also a Christmas Market in the Holland Village and if you visit at the right time, there will be sledding which is scheduled to open dependent on weather in December.

Lotte World’s Miracle Winter

Lotte World really goes all out for holidays and is known for a fantastic Christmas parade so if you want to jump head first into the jingle bells and lights, this is the place to do just that.

Highlights include the Miracle Santa Village with a large Christmas tree and loads of performances and characters for the kids or the kid in you to enjoy. There are multiple parades and performances so check show times when you arrive so you don’t miss the fun.

Oak Valley Resort’s Sonata of Light 3D Festival

Visit Oak Valley Resort for some fun in the snow either on the slopes or in the comfort of your own room, and then head out as sun sets to see the gorgeous Sonata of Light 3D Festival this winter.

• Address: 8 Oak valley 2-gil, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 원주시 지정면 오크밸리2길 58)

Lighting Festival at The Garden Of the Morning Calm

Another garden to see some beautiful holiday lights twinkling in the night is Garden of the Morning Calm. Nestled in the mountains just outside of Seoul, this makes for a great day trip or weekend away from the city. More than 5,000 plants in the gardens, scenic walkways and 6 million LED lights are calling. Head to Gapyeong now!

Don’t have your own transportation option? Take a trip out to the festival with KKDay or visit an ice valley and Garden of the Morning Calm with Klook.

Petite France

If you haven’t been out to this whimsical village inspired by the book “The Little Prince”, now might be the time. This mini French-style village is home to museums, galleries, and parks, and each year for winter, lights are strung and holiday decor abounds.

Take a planned trip so you don’t have to worry about the transportation at all. Here’s a great option to see a ton on Klook.

Seoul Lantern Festival

December 13, 2024 ~ January 12, 2025

Set along the Cheonggyecheon Stream in central Seoul from Cheonggye Plaza to the Jangton bridge, this festival hosts a giant tree at Changgyecheon Plaza followed by zones of lights and holiday decor.

If you’re downtown, this would be an easy enough stop off to feel the holiday spirit with loads of lights and performances too. In 2022, lights and installations were placed on the new larger Gwanghwamun Square so this year will likely do the same with decor from there to the stream. Check it all out.

Seoul Light

For the past few years, another GORGEOUS installation takes place on the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Happening a couple times a year, Seoul Light is a large-scale media light show on the facade of the DDP with music blasting from speakers. It’s amazing.

The shows are free and they run every half hour from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.

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Ice Skating/Sledding In & Around Seoul

There are a few different places in Seoul to get out and about, strap some ice skates to your feet and flit around on some ice. Be prepared for lines on the weekends but fun on the frozen water!

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Food & Fun

Want to get out for some food and fun? There are some great places to head in Seoul, Korea.

Seoul Santacon

If you’ve never joined hundreds of other Santas to parade through town with stops for drinks in between, then this year might just be the time to join. This is a super fun event. Having done it myself once, I can say it really will get you in the holiday spirit to see a ton of other Santas for a night out on the town.

Gingerbread Decorating Competition

December 8, 2024: 11:00am ~ 2:00pm

While not so much a competition as good fun and creative inspiration to see what everyone comes up with, this event is all about coming together, seeing who has the most interesting, unique, and traditional gingerbread house. Bring the friends, kids, or partners, and see what you can come up with at the Gingerbread Decorating Competition held at Vineworks in the Hapjeong area of Seoul.

Christmas Meals To Order Home

Dragon Hill Lodge: They have everything from 5 pound lobster meals to turkey, ham, or just apple pies. I’ve had this one and it is gooooood.

Christmas Dinner Spots

Want something big, festive, and delicious? It’s popular for foreigners in Korea to find a local foreign restaurant and wine and dine together on or around Christmas day and so a lot of restaurants have special meals that cater to this.

You’ll want to sign up early to join them though as they do SELL OUT!

This section will be updated as soon as restaurants start announcing their dinners!~

Christmas Cakes

While some look for feasts, others look for beautiful and decadent Christmas cakes to celebrate and there are some great places that do that too!

• Oris Cakery: They have three special Christmas cakes this year called Evergreen, X-Mas Wreath, and Winter Frost.
• SugaMama: She ships nationwide so you can have all of the treats right at home.
• Achemice: This artisan vegan ice cream shop does some BEAUTIFUL ice cream cakes too. They have some stunning designs this year.
• Dangaotang: They have the cutest Gingerbread house style cake among others.

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Holiday Concerts & Performances

The Nutcracker

The Universal Ballet: December 19-30, 2024; The Korean National Ballet: December 14-25, 2024

The Universal Ballet and the National Ballet will be presenting this well known holiday piece that will no doubt have everyone tapping their feet and dancing into the streets afterward.

Find the location nearest to you and enjoy this Christmas ballet classic. For more information, check their website: The Universal Ballet (Website); The Korean National Ballet (Website)

A Camarata Chrismas Concert

December 7, 2024; 7:00pm ~ 9:00pm

Camarata puts on unforgettable performances for the holidays. This year their performance will feature Vivaldi’s “Gloria”. (Website)

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There is holiday fun to be had this winter! Get out and enjoy the festivities all over the city. Happy Holidays!

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