Christmas in Korea is a very magical time. During the most wonderful time of the year, Koreans go all out with festive decorations, you’ll see the biggest department stores. This blog post has the most popular places for Christmas lights in Seoul.
So why should you listen to me compared to other bloggers? Simple, I lived in South Korea for almost six years and spent the majority of my weekends in Seoul. I have a local viewpoint and know the best places tourists might not know about.
Before we jump into it, I do want to add Christmas and Seollal are some of the biggest public holidays in The Land of the Morning Calm. In addition, Christmas is a public holiday and is seen as a bigger romantic holiday compared to Valentine’s Day.
Blog Posts You Might Like
Map of the Best Christmas Lights in Seoul
Don’t feel like Googling everything or starring it on your Naver Maps? I feel that pain in my soul.
With this Wanderlog Map, I have everything completely done for you. All you have to do is copy and paste.
Times Square Shopping Mall
The Christmas season in Seoul almost always starts on November 1st. The Times Square Shopping Mall has beautiful Christmas displays. Every year has a different theme and is a great place to take pictures with the holiday lights.
If you’re looking for tasty food, Din Tai Fung (a soup dumpling chain from Taiwan) and Shake Shack are available. There’s also a huge SPAO that does the annual Harry Potter collaboration.
IFC Shopping Mall
The IFC Mall is the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit. You can find various light displays outside and inside the mall.
These Seoul Christmas lights are great and you can even get a complete guide to all their displays.
NC Shinguro Shopping Mall
Located on Subway Line 1, the NC Shinguro Shopping Mall is a small shopping center with a lot of heart. Their dazzling displays have featured floating Christmas trees and Post To Santa Claus.
Seoul Plaza Christmas Tree & Ice Skating
During the winter holidays, Seoul City Hall has a beautifully decorated tree and ice skating rink. If you want to know all the best places to go ice skating in Seoul, I have a huge list of places to go during the winter season.
If ice skating isn’t your jam, did you know Korea has some cool places to go skiing? It’s especially great early January.
Christmas Markets in Seoul
If you’re looking for a festive atmosphere, the top Christmas markets during the holiday season are the European Christmas Market (Dec 7-8, 2024) and the Marche de Noel. For more Christmas-themed decorations, Christmas dinner, and Christmas Market locations, I have an extensive Korean Christmas guide on everything you need to know for your Seoul travel.
Lotte World Mall Jamsil Outdoor Displays
A popular destination amongst shopping malls is the Lotte World Mall in Jamsil. I lived very close to this Lotte Department Store, and I was always the first to capture the new displays.
Last year, they did a Christmas market complete with a picturesque Christmas village. In 2020, they took inspiration from the “A” shaped homes that were super cozy inside.
Jamsil is one of my absolute favorite neighborhoods in Seoul, so if you find yourself spending the day there, you’re going to have the best time. Check out my complete itinerary of the best places to eat, shop, and play in Jamsil.
Lotte World Mall Jamsil Indoor Displays
In Lotte World Mall, there is a staircase decorated according to the seasons and holidays. To find it, take the escalators to the fifth floor and walk toward On The Border.
Although I have noticed as of late, they haven’t been decorating the stairs.
Lotte World Adventure
You can always count on Korean amusement parks for getting into the holiday spirit. If you’re homesick, go to Lotte World for their annual Christmas events. They have a HUGE indoor skating rink and a Christmas parade.
P.S. Since Christmas Day is a national holiday in Korea, most amusement parks will be very crowded.
Signiel Hotel Seoul
One of my favorite things to do in Seoul in winter is sit down for an excellent Christmas afternoon tea at Signiel Seoul. This is one of the top luxury hotels in Korea with panoramic views of the city skyline from their lounge.
Lotte World Tower & Seoul Sky At Christmas
During this time of year, I recommend making online reservations for Seoul Sky. The cold weather sees an influx of people doing indoor activities.
Your best bet is to go around sunset for the most stunning photos.
Lotte Department Store Jamsil
Across the street from the Lotte World Mall is the Lotte Department Store. This is an extension of the fancy Lotte so expect to see name brands.
Christmas in Seoul always has a theme with Lotte. In 2020, it was Christmas in Finland with TonTon. I love the giant LED light snowflakes displayed on the building every year.
Seoulism Cafe
During December in Seoul, many cafes bring out Christmas trees and decorations. They have Christmas trees next to their iconic Seoul sign with the Lotte Tower in the background.
Myeongdong Lotte Department Store
The Lotte Department Store in Myeongdong is also an incredible place for Christmas decorations in Seoul. They deck it out with thousands of Christmas lights making it look like a magical winter wonderland.
Shinsegae Department Store in Myeongdong
Right down the street from the Lotte Department Store is the fancy Shinsegae Department Store. Every 30 minutes, the front of the store features an LED light show with giant Christmas trees and Christmas ornaments.
While I lived in Korea, going to this display became my favorite Christmas tradition in Korea.
Seoul Lantern Festival 2024
The heart of Seoul will come alive this year with the Seoul Lantern Festival. Visit Seoul has organized the event.
This year’s dates will be December 13, 2024 – January 5, 2025. Among the locations will be the Cheonggyecheon Stream, Gwanghwamun Square, and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Banyan Tree Seoul
One of my favorite places to take Christmas photos in Seoul is Banyan Tree for their German-inspired Christmas village. Read my review of the Banyan Tree Seoul.
Myeongdong Cathedral Christmas Lights 2024
Have yourself a Merry Christmas with Christmas lights along the main entrance of the church. Seating begins promptly at 9 pm, and the nativity scene is re-enacted starting at 10:30 pm, and followed by Midnight Mass.
Conrad Seoul
New York City ain’t got nothing on the cultural events that happen in Seoul all December. The Conrad Seoul also has a festive winter afternoon tea, followed by a cherry blossom (strawberry) afternoon tea.
Also, the staff there are awesome! They were very kind when I asked them if I could take photos in the lobby and told me it was fine as long as I didn’t disturb other guests.
JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square
The JW Marriott in Dongdaemun Square has their annual Barbie Salon de Ddalki. It takes place every year starting in November/December.
This adorable Barbie Buffet was one of my favorite annual traditions with Linda Goes East. Their lobby also has beautiful Christmas decorations.
Park Hyatt Seoul
Park Hyatt Seoul has the absolute BEST high tea in the whole city. Their lobby has some amazing Christmas decorations as well, but the real treat is posing with the high tea tray overlooking the ice skating rink at the Coex Mall.
CoEx Mall Skating Rink
What’s a little Christmas magic without an ice skating rink? Every year the CoEx Mall puts up an ice rink outside.
The theme changes yearly, but my favorite was the Chanel Ice Rink. It costs about 5,000 won for the skate rentals and equipment.
Intercontinental Seoul CoEx
The Intercontinental Seoul at the CoEx Mall is in the area and they display an enormous Christmas tree made out of purple and silver ornaments. My favorite part is the swirling lights that adorn it at the top.
Banpo Floating Islands
This is a well-kept secret in Seoul. Occasionally, the Banpo Floating Islands get decorated for Christmas and New Year.
If there aren’t any lights, don’t worry! The entire building lights up. Plus, the setting is so romantic being by the Han River.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Christmas Lights Festival
The Winter Lights Festival at the DDP is part of the Seoul Winter Festa. They also have a DDP Christmas market and gift shop for your last-minute holiday needs.
Admission is free and the lights go on from 6 pm to 10 pm every night. You can experience a little bit of Korean culture by enjoying these festive light displays.
Coex Starfield Library
Not only does Starfield Library offer thousands of titles in multiple languages you can read for free, but it also has seasonal decorations. Again, every year the theme changes, but my all time favorite was the 2020 snowflake Christmas tree.
Hyundai Department Store in Gangnam
I came across this display walking home from Thanksgiving dinner and thought it was the most precious thing. They had a Christmas tree with an LED display at the bottom counting down the days until Christmas and also an LED light show on the building with different winter-themed foods and objects.
Hyundai Seoul Mall
The Hyundai Seoul Christmas village is taking over the 6th floor in the ‘Sound Forest’ space from 10:30 am every day. Take pictures with Santa, purchase Christmas gifts, get photos in the photo zones, and relax at the food court after.
Grand Hyatt Seoul
If you love ice skating then Grand Hyatt Seoul has an amazing ice rink! The trees around the rink are decorated with thousands of glittering lights making it a winter wonderland. What makes the Grand Hyatt so special is that they’re situated on a mountain and you can see Seoul City down below.
Everland
Everland is always a great day trip from Seoul. You can always count on Korean theme parks to put up romantic illuminations.
Plus, during the holidays, they give special discounts to their expats and international visitors. The illuminations are stunning and well worth it for Christmas cheer.
Garden of the Morning Calm
From late November until March 2025, Garden of the Morning Calm hosts their annual winter illuminations. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my entire life and is definitely worth the day trip!
Visiting Seoul in December should definitely be on your bucket list! A South Korea Christmas Holiday is sure to fill you with wonder. After all a Christmas tradition in South Korea is to have the twinkliest lights. Go big or go home! These lights stay up past the New Year in Seoul and into February.
This post contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I make a small commission to help keep Gina Bear’s Blog running. Thanks for your support!
Free Seoul E-Book
Do you love South Korea?
Enter your name and email address and click the button below to receive your Easy Seoul Travel Guide so you can travel like a local!
1 Comment on 30 Places To See Christmas Lights in Seoul (2024)
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
MERRY XMAS! Amazing blog post!!
You have shared valuable information about Christmas lights. Keep it up!!”