Seoul Christmas Markets & Winter Lights 2025-2026: Complete Guide
Seoul's winter festival season kicks off December 12th, and search trends show unprecedented interest this year. From December 12, 2025 to January 4, 2026, Seoul transforms into a city of lights and festive markets.
The question I keep seeing on social media: "Does Seoul have European-style Christmas markets?" Yes, it does. Three of them, actually—all running simultaneously. This year's lineup centers around Gwanghwamun, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and DDP, creating the largest winter festival season Seoul has ever seen.
Why Seoul's Winter Festivals Are Trending This Year
Three factors make 2025-2026 Seoul's biggest winter festival season yet.
First, European expertise is now involved. Gwanghwamun Market brought in advisors from Copenhagen's Christmas markets. This means authentic European-style wooden booths, a 15-meter Christmas tree, and proper mulled wine. It's the first time Seoul's applying genuine European Christmas market know-how.
Second, Seoul Lantern Festival expanded to Uicheon Stream. This year's theme is "My Light, Our Dream, the Magic of Seoul." The festival now covers 1.1km along Cheonggyecheon plus 350m at Uicheon—five themed zones with over 200 light installations. That's 30% larger than last year.
Third, the entire holiday period is planned as one continuous season. The festivities don't end at Christmas. New Year's Eve bell-ringing at Bosingak, sunrise ceremonies on January 1st—Seoul stays lit for three weeks straight.
Gwanghwamun Christmas Market (Dec 12-31)
'Santa's Winter Village' at Gwanghwamun
The 15-meter Christmas tree at Gwanghwamun Plaza isn't just decoration. Every evening at 7pm and 8:30pm, it hosts a mini light show with synchronized music. The show runs about 5 minutes—perfect length for families to gather and watch.
Over 100 vendor booths fill the plaza. Handcrafted goods, winter treats, and seasonal items. Unlike previous years when it only opened weekends, this year includes weekday evenings too.
Hours: Weekdays 5:30pm-9:30pm, Weekends 5pm-10pm Location: Gwanghwamun Plaza (Exit 2, Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5) Admission: Free Best time: Weekday evenings around 7pm (tree show + fewer crowds)
The mulled wine booth always has a line. At â‚©8,000 ($6 USD), it's priced similarly to Seoul cafe drinks. But holding warm wine while strolling the plaza on a cold December night? That European Christmas market vibe hits different.
While officially running until December 31st, there's talk of extending to January 4th. Check official announcements for updates.
Seoul Lantern Festival (Dec 12 - Jan 4)
Light Waves from Cheonggyecheon to Uicheon
A 1.1km stretch of light installations along Cheonggyecheon Stream. Now in its 17th year, Seoul Lantern Festival is winter Seoul's signature event. Last year drew 3.5 million visitors; this year aims for 4 million.
Cheonggyecheon's Four Themed Zones
Zone 1 - Seoul's Past and Present (Cheonggye Plaza to Gwangtong Bridge) Hanyang's history reimagined in light. Joseon Dynasty figures come alive as lanterns, and gates like Sungnyemun and Heunginjimun float above the stream. International visitors photograph this zone most.
Zone 2 - Seoul's Dreams (Gwangtong Bridge to Supyo Bridge) Kids' favorite section. Fairy tale characters, spaceships, and future cities rendered in lights. Interactive installations respond when you wave your hands.
Zone 3 - Global Lights (Supyo Bridge to Samil Bridge) World landmarks recreated in light—the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, pyramids. This zone yields the most Instagram-worthy shots.
Zone 4 - Seoul's Magic (Samil Bridge to Ogansugyo) New this year: video media zone. Projection mapping on Cheonggyecheon's walls displays Seoul's four seasons. Shows run about 8 minutes every hour on the hour.
New Uicheon Section (350m)
Zone 5 - Winter Forest Fairies First-time addition at Uicheon Stream. Winter forest-themed lights nestle at the base of Bukhansan Mountain. Less crowded than Cheonggyecheon—perfect for dates. Gangbuk residents can skip Cheonggyecheon entirely and just visit here.
Hours: Daily 6pm-10pm (24 days) Location: Cheonggye Plaza to Ogansugyo (Cheonggyecheon), Uicheoncheon Bridge to Samyang Bridge (Uicheon) Admission: Free Best time: Weekday evenings around 7:30pm (lower crowds, all lights on)
Cheonggyecheon on weekend evenings gets packed. Hard to even pause for photos. I'd recommend weekday evenings or early weekend hours.
DDP Seoul Light Show (Starting Dec 18)
Dongdaemun Design Plaza Becomes Canvas
The entire DDP exterior wall transforms into a projection mapping canvas. Starting December 18th, with significantly improved visual quality over last year according to insider sources.
DDP's front plaza hosts a Christmas popup market too. About 50 booths selling design goods, accessories, and handmade products. Smaller than Gwanghwamun Market, but DDP's design sensibility shines through in the curated product selection.
Hours: Daily 6pm-10pm (light show every hour on the hour) Location: Exit 1, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (DDP) Admission: Free Best time: 8pm show (longest and most spectacular version)
DDP's location is perfect for combining shopping and dining. Hyundai City Outlet and Lotte Fitin Dongdaemun sit right next door. Watch the show, then duck into warm indoor shopping—ideal winter combo.
Seoul Plaza Ice Rink (Dec 19 - Feb 8)
Christmas markets not enough? Seoul Plaza's ice rink opens right in front. This year runs December 19th to February 8th.
Daytime brings families; evenings bring couples. Skating with Gwanghwamun's office buildings as your backdrop—a uniquely Seoul winter experience.
Hours: Weekdays 10am-9:30pm, Weekends 9am-9:30pm Location: Seoul Plaza (Exit 5, City Hall Station) Fee: â‚©1,000 entrance (skate rental extra) Best time: Weekday 2-4pm (less crowded, warmer weather)
Bosingak New Year's Bell-Ringing (Dec 31)
December 31st at 11:30pm starts Seoul's New Year celebration. The traditional bell-ringing ceremony at Bosingak Pavilion rings 33 times, marking the transition from 2025 to 2026.
Gwanghwamun to Jongno is about 15 minutes on foot. You can walk straight from the Christmas market. But expect massive crowds—budget 30+ minutes for actual travel time.
K-pop artist performances happen before and after the bell-ringing. This year's lineup gets announced mid-December.
Time: Dec 31, 11:30pm - Jan 1, 12:30am Location: Bosingak (Jongno area) Admission: Free Tip: Arrive 1 hour early for good viewing spots
Perfect Seoul Winter Festival Routes
Date Course (4-5 hours)
5pm - Arrive Gwanghwamun Market, browse booths with mulled wine 6:30pm - Walk to Cheonggyecheon (10 min), see Lantern Festival Zones 1-2 7:30pm - Return to Gwanghwamun, catch tree light show 8pm - Seoul Plaza ice skating (optional) 9pm - Dinner at Gwanghwamun-area restaurant
Photographer's Course (6-7 hours)
4pm - Arrive DDP, shoot daytime architecture 5:30pm - Browse DDP market 6:30pm - Move to Cheonggyecheon (20 min subway), slowly photograph entire route 8pm - Arrive Gwanghwamun Market, shoot night scenes + tree show 9:30pm - Seoul Plaza night views (ice rink with building backdrop)
Family Course (3 hours)
5pm - Cheonggyecheon Zones 1-2 only (kids' favorite sections) 6:30pm - Move to Gwanghwamun Market, snacks and booth browsing 7pm - Watch tree show, head home early
Tips Before You Visit
Avoiding Peak Crowds
Most crowded: Weekend evenings 7-9pm, Christmas Eve (Dec 24), Year-end (Dec 30-31) Less crowded: Weekday evenings 6-7pm, weekdays around 5pm
This year's Cheonggyecheon Festival expects 30% more visitors than last year. Weekends get so packed you can barely stop walking. Weekdays are seriously recommended.
Dress Warm
December Seoul averages -2°C to 5°C (28°F to 41°F). Outdoor festivals feel colder. Bring hand warmers, scarves, gloves. Gwanghwamun and Cheonggyecheon are particularly windy, making it feel even colder.
Market booths have temporary heated tents, but they fill up fast. If you'll be outside 30+ minutes, bundle up properly.
Public Transportation Essential
December brings traffic restrictions around Gwanghwamun. Parking lots fill to 99% capacity. Subway is your answer.
Gwanghwamun Market: Exit 2, Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5 (1 min walk) Cheonggyecheon Lantern: Exit 5, Jonggak Station, Line 1 or Exit 5, Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5 DDP: Exit 1, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, Lines 2/4/5 Seoul Plaza: Exit 5, City Hall Station, Lines 1/2
Cards Over Cash
Most booths accept cards. But some small vendors take cash only, so carry â‚©10,000-20,000 ($8-15 USD) just in case.
Why This Year Matters
What makes Seoul's 2025-2026 winter festivals special is connectivity. Gwanghwamun-Cheonggyecheon-DDP sit within walking distance, each offering different vibes. European Christmas market, traditional Korean lanterns, modern media shows—experience three atmospheres in one evening.
Search "#SeoulChristmas" on social media and you'll find 3x more posts than last year. This year expects even bigger crowds. Target mid-December weekday evenings before the masses arrive.
December 2025, Seoul fills with light. Walking through warm illuminations while breathing cold winter air—magic you'll only find in Seoul this winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What do Christmas market booths sell?
Handcrafted goods (candles, soaps, accessories), Christmas decorations, drinks like mulled wine and hot chocolate, winter snacks (hotteok, roasted chestnuts, churros). Gwanghwamun's 100+ booths take 30 minutes just to browse. Prices run â‚©5,000-20,000 for items, â‚©5,000-10,000 for food and drinks.
Q. Can I see both Lantern Festival and Christmas Market in one day?
Absolutely! They're 10 minutes apart on foot. Start at Gwanghwamun Market around 5:30pm, move to Cheonggyecheon at 6:30pm. The full Cheonggyecheon route takes 1-1.5 hours. Return to Gwanghwamun by 7:30pm for the tree light show. Perfect itinerary.
Q. Is it good for children?
Kids love Cheonggyecheon Lantern Festival—tons of fairy tale characters and animal lights. But weekends get crowded, so hold hands tight. Gwanghwamun Market's dense booth layout makes strollers difficult. If your child's young, baby carriers work better than strollers.
Q. Best time for photos?
Magic hour is 5:30-6:30pm at sunset. The sky still holds light while illuminations turn on—photos look stunning. After full dark (past 7pm), only the lights show, which creates its own atmosphere. Tripods obstruct crowds, so use your phone or handheld gimbal.
Q. How to plan for New Year's Eve bell-ringing?
Start Gwanghwamun Market 6pm → Quick Cheonggyecheon visit 7pm → Rest at nearby cafe/restaurant until 9pm → Move to Bosingak 10:30pm → Bell-ringing ceremony 11:30pm. This covers everything in one day. But December 31st gets incredibly crowded. Consider going December 30th or January 2nd for a more comfortable experience.
