Christmas in Korea: A Guide to 2025 Christmas Season Attractions & Events
pdt · 2025. 12. 11.
For foreigners and international students spending their first winter in Korea,
questions like “Where can I really feel the Christmas atmosphere?” and “Where are the best places to take photos?” are common.
To answer those questions, this article briefly highlights two iconic winter spots in Seoul and two major Christmas events expected to be the most exciting in 2025.
Christmas in Korea: Seoul’s Most Iconic Holiday Scenes
Myeongdong Cathedral: The most classic Christmas in Seoul
For international students and travelers, Myeongdong Cathedral is considered one of the most symbolic places to experience an authentic Christmas atmosphere in Korea.
During the season, lights illuminate the red-brick Gothic exterior, and a large tree and decorations in the front yard create a scene that feels closest to a traditional Western Christmas. Unlike flashy malls or media displays, the cathedral offers a quiet, reverent mood that defines its charm.
It’s also directly connected to the main Myeongdong district, making it easy to enjoy shopping, explore the streets, and then walk over to see the cathedral at night. For foreign students, it’s one of the few places where you can experience both the “traditional meaning” of Christmas and the city’s festive year-end vibe at the same time.
🗺️ Address :74 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Myeongdong Cathedral)
📅 Dates : Early December 2025 ~ around December 25
- Lights and the tree often remain until the end of the year
- Subway Line 4 → Get off at Myeongdong Station → Walk Subway Line 2 → Get off at Euljiro 1-ga Station → Walk toward Myeongdong
Starfield Library at COEX: A large indoor Christmas tree photo spot
This year, Starfield Library at COEX transforms into a paper-themed fairy-tale world, once again drawing attention as one of Seoul’s signature Christmas tree spots. With the theme of a “Christmas festival unfolding inside a book,” the entire library is styled like a giant pop-up book, creating a multisensory space filled with light, music, and scent.
At the center stands a 10-meter paper tree illuminated with golden lights and carols, and visitors can enjoy photo zones inspired by a fairy-tale amusement park with a carousel, hot-air balloons, and a Ferris wheel.
The experience ends with a giant snow-globe photo zone and a “Wish Forest,” where you can write your hopes for the new year—making it a perfect place for both photos and hands-on fun.
🗺️ Address :513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Starfield Library at COEX Mall)
📅 Dates : Late November 2025 ~ Late December 2025
- Some year-end performances and talks run only on select dates
- Subway Line 2 → Exit 6 at Samseong Station → Follow the COEX Mall passageSubway Line 9 → Get off at Bongeunsa Station → Walk
Christmas in Korea: Two must-visit Christmas events in 2025
2025 Seoul Lantern Festival & Gwanghwamun Market
Among the must-visit Christmas spots in 2025, the Gwanghwamun Christmas Market is one you can’t miss. This year, Gwanghwamun Square will once again transform into a European-style “Santa Village,” creating a fairy-tale winter scene for the holiday season.
The entire square becomes a Christmas-themed space—calm and walkable during the day, and filled with lights and tree displays at night. One of its biggest advantages is that it’s completely free to enter and enjoy.
Last year, the market drew about 1.64 million visitors in just 24 days, firmly establishing itself as one of Seoul’s signature Christmas destinations. With a 15-meter tree, a Rudolph carousel, and seasonal hands-on programs, the Gwanghwamun Market remains a must-visit spot for this year’s Christmas as well.
🗺️ Address : 175 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Gwanghwamun Square)
📅 Dates : Early December 2025 ~ Late December 2025
- Core Christmas-week programs: December 21 ~ December 25
- Subway Line 5 → Get off at Gwanghwamun Station → Walk Subway Line 3 → Get off at Gyeongbokgung Station → Walk toward Gwanghwamun Square
🌐 Official Website :https://www.stolantern.com/en/
✨ Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/p/DRjXLAxka_M/?img_index=1
Christmas in Korea: 2025 Lotte World Tower Christmas Market “Snow Shower”
If you want to fully experience the Christmas atmosphere in Seoul in 2025, the Lotte Town Christmas Market in Jamsil is definitely worth a visit. This year, the lawn plaza at Lotte World Tower transforms into a “fairy-tale Christmas village,” returning as one of Seoul’s top holiday spots for families, couples, and friends.
The moving heart display paired with a giant tree, the snow-shower effect that creates a falling-snow atmosphere, and the expanded two-story carousel are the main highlights drawing attention this year.
The Lotte Town Christmas Market was already popular last year as an SNS photo spot, and this year it adds a private lounge, seasonal F&B, brand booths, and Christmas goods. It’s a relaxing place for strolling and shopping during the day, and a romantic date spot at night with lights, music, and the tree.
If you want to truly feel the Christmas mood in Seoul in 2025, the Lotte Town Christmas Market is a must-visit course.
🗺️ Address : 240 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul (Lotte World Tower World Park – Lawn Plaza)
📅 Dates : November 20, 2025 (Thu) ~ January 4, 2026 (Sun)
⏰ Operating Hours : 11:30 AM ~ 10:00 PM (Last entry 9:30 PM)
🎟️ Admission : Entry available after purchasing a ticket via online reservation (link at the bottom of the website)
🌐 Official Website :https://www.lwt.co.kr/en/christmas.do
Christmas in Korea: Not sure where to go?
Even a simple day concept can make your experience better
Christmas spots in Seoul each offer different moods and experiences, so choosing the “style” you want for the day makes your route simpler and your visit more enjoyable. Below is a guide summarizing the features of the four places introduced above and which types of visitors they suit best.
🎼 1. If you want a classic and quiet Christmas → Myeongdong Cathedral
- The Gothic lights and calm atmosphere make it perfect for couples, solo walks, and anyone seeking a traditional Christmas mood.
- With a 10m tree and pop-up-book photo zones, it’s great for photo shoots, friend meetups, and indoor dates—even on rainy or cold days.
🎪 3. If you want an outdoor market and festival vibe → Gwanghwamun Christmas Market
- The large tree, carousel, night lights, and outdoor booths suit those who enjoy year-end crowds, festive walks, and open-air events.
🎠 4. If you want various programs → Lotte Town Christmas Market
- The heart light show, snow shower, free carousel, lounge, and F&B make it ideal for visitors who want a full Christmas event experience.
Choosing just one concept among these four makes Christmas in Korea much easier to plan—and a far more satisfying winter trip.
🔍 Curious about unique winter culture in Korea?
Christmas in Korea is less about a traditional family holiday and more about city lights, dates, seasonal events, and the winter urban atmosphere. For foreigners, it’s also the season when you can experience Korean winter culture most directly.
As long as you manage the basic crowd times, transportation, cold weather, and reservations, Christmas in Korea can become one of the most memorable winter seasons in Korea.
