2025 Seoul Winter Festa Guide: Seoul’s Biggest Winter Festival

If you’re planning to visit Seoul this winter — or you’re already here and wondering what to do — 2025 Seoul Winter Festa should definitely be on your list. Every year, the city turns into a massive holiday playground full of festivals, lanterns, creative art installations, food stalls, ice skating, winter markets, and K-culture events. It’s spread across multiple locations, so no matter where you go, you’ll bump into something festive.

General Information

Xem bài viết này trên Instagram

Bài viết do 서울윈터페스타 SEOUL WINTER FESTA (@seoulwinterfesta) chia sẻ

📆 Dec 12, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 (some events run until Feb 8)
📍 City-wide: Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggyecheon Stream, DDP, Seoul Plaza, and Bosingak Belfry
🧊 Best experiences: Seoul Light shows, Christmas market, lantern festival, ice skating rink, K-culture performances, countdown celebration
Admission Fees: Varies by event
Homepage: Seoulwinta

This year’s theme is: “Fantasia Seoul — Co-Created by Citizens.” Meaning the festival isn’t just staged by the city — locals and creators are part of making it special.

Luggage Storage Services in Seoul Banner

Key Festival Venues & Dates

Event	Dates	Location
🌟 Opening Ceremon	Dec 12	Gwanghwamun Square
🎉 New Year’s Eve Bell-Ringing Ceremony	Dec 31–Jan 1	Jonggak Square
✨ Seoul Light: Gwanghwamun	Dec 12–Jan 4	Gwanghwamun
🎄 Gwanghwamun Christmas Market	Dec 12–Dec 31	Gwanghwamun Market Zone
🏮 Seoul Lantern Festival	Dec 12–Jan 4	Cheonggyecheon Stream
⛸️ Seoul Plaza Ice Rink	Dec 19–Feb 8	Seoul Plaza
🌈 Seoul Light: DDP	Dec 18–Dec 31	Dongdaemun Design Plaza
🎶 SEOULCon (K-Culture Festival)	Dec 29–Jan 1	City Hall / Cheonggyecheon / DDP

2025 Seoul Winter Festa in Details

Opening Ceremony Highlights (Dec 12)

Xem bài viết này trên Instagram

Bài viết do Korea Travel Guide 🇰🇷 (@ivisitkorea) chia sẻ

The opening night is basically the kickoff party of the season, and it happens right in front of Gwanghwamun — one of the most iconic places in Seoul.

Expect:

✨ Fantasia Light Parade — giant glowing floats, dancers, and music
🩰 Areumdree Dance Team performance — traditional Korean dance with a modern twist
🎭 Musical Gala Show — showcasing Seoul as a city of arts
🎤 Opening declaration + lighting ceremony — the “turn all the lights on” moment

Highlight: The K-Culture Experience Zones and Sleeping Contest

Experience	Date	Location	What To Expect
💅 K-Idol Beauty Zone	Dec 22–24	B1, KT West Building	Try idol-style makeup, hair, and beauty trends
🎥 K-Pop Reels Zone	Ongoing	Under Cheonggyecheon Bridge	Tripods + lighting + mini stages to record Reels/TikToks
🎎 K-Pop Merch + Traditional Cultural Experience	Dec 16–21	B1, KT West Building	Merch collabs + hands-on cultural crafts
🎧 Silent K-Pop Dance Party	Dec 28	City Hall, 8F Multipurpose Hall	Wireless headphones, playlist battles, dancing with strangers
💤Winter Sleeping Contest	December 27, 2025, from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM	8F Multipurpose Hall of City Hall	Top 3 win (not specified, but likely merch, certificates, or bragging rights

Seoul Light Gwanghwamun (Dec 12 – Jan 4)

Xem bài viết này trên Instagram

Bài viết do Seoul (@seoulcity) chia sẻ

This is one of the highlights and super photogenic.

Large-scale media art is projected directly onto Gwanghwamun Gate, turning this historic landmark into a futuristic moving art canvas. Imagine dragons, galaxies, hanbok-inspired patterns, and digital stories playing across the ancient palace walls.

Best part?
It runs continuously in the evening, so you can grab hot chocolate, walk around, and just enjoy the atmosphere.

📸 Best time to go: right after sunset → crowds are there, but the photos look magical.

Gwanghwamun Christmas Market (Dec 12 – Dec 31)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🇰🇷 Travelholic Korea (@korea.travelholic)

Right next to the light show is Seoul’s very festive Christmas market. It’s styled like a European holiday village but with Korean twists.

Expect:

mulled wine & hot chocolate
churros, corndogs, and Korean winter snacks
handmade ornaments and local crafts
cute couple photo spots
a free Rudolph-themed carousel ride

It’s cozy and romantic — perfect for couples, families, or anyone who just wants that winter vibe.

Also read: Gwanghwamun Square: Festivals, Events & Iconic Sights

Seoul Lantern Festival (Dec 12 – Jan 4)

Xem bài viết này trên Instagram

Bài viết do Korea Travel Guide 🇰🇷 (@ivisitkorea) chia sẻ

This is one of Seoul’s most famous winter traditions.

Walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream and you’ll see giant illuminated lantern installations: animals, mythological scenes, K-culture themes, holiday characters, and interactive media art.

The lanterns start near Cheonggye Plaza and continue all the way toward Dongdaemun — so you can take your time walking, taking photos, and snacking along the way. It’s stroller-friendly, flat, and easy — great for families.

Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink (Dec 19 – Feb 8)

If you’ve ever dreamed of ice skating outdoors in the middle of the city, surrounded by lights, a winter skyline, and Christmas trees, this is your moment.

The rink is famous for being super affordable — locals call it: “Happiness for 1,000 won.” (less than $1 USD per hour). Skate rentals are available and there’s usually hot snacks nearby.

Seoul Light DDP (Dec 18 – Dec 31)

This area already looks futuristic, but during Seoul Winter Festa it becomes even more dramatic. You’ll find:

Projection mapping shows
Digital art installations
Photo zones with neon and glowing sculptures

It’s like stepping into a sci-fi winter world. If you’re already going to Dongdaemun for late-night shopping (because yes, malls here open late), add this to your walking path.

New Year’s Eve Bell-Ringing at Bosingak

Xem bài viết này trên Instagram

Bài viết do Seoul (@seoulcity) chia sẻ

This is one of Seoul’s most iconic New Year traditions. Thousands gather around Bosingak Belfry on December 31 to watch the ceremonial bell ring at midnight, symbolizing a fresh start.

Nearby, there are countdown stages at: