Christmas Markets in Korea 2025: A Story Driven Guide to the Most Instagrammable Holiday Spots Across Seoul and Beyond
- FLip Korea
- 4 days ago
- 11 min read
Christmas in Korea follows its own rhythm. The lights switch on long before the calendar reaches December. Department stores become theatres of spectacle. Pop up markets appear in places where no market existed before. Seoul and Busan both turn into a blend of European fantasy and modern Korean creativity.
Think of this guide as one continuous storyline. You start in Gangnam, weave through the skyscrapers of Jamsil, slow down at Gwanghwamun, move into family warmth at Seoul Land and finish with the ocean breeze at Haeundae in Busan. Every stop feels like a different chapter of the same book.
So, the journey begins.
1. Shinsegae Wonderland: Gangnam’s Holiday Stage
Location: Shinsegae Gangnam
Address: 176 Sinbanpo ro, Seocho gu, Seoul
Operating Dates: Nov. 7 to Dec. 30
Reservations: https://deptmoll.shinsegae.com (check “Wonderland” page)
You step into Shinsegae Gangnam and the world shifts. The escalators become pathways into a storybook. Down on basement level 1, three themed areas connect: House of Shinsegae, Sweet Park and Tree Road. The space feels engineered for social sharing but also surprisingly warm in mood.
The Christmas stalls sell Advent calendars, ornaments and limited edition character items. The Mini Toy Gacha Shop adds a playful twist. The Tree Road walkway lights up like a corridor of surprises and the music drifting from the center platform keeps the entire space alive.
For visitors who want a curated, premium holiday environment, this is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Shinsegae Myeongdong (The Heritage)
Address: 63 Sogong ro, Jung gu, Seoul
Operating Dates: Nov. 14 to Dec. 30
Reservations: https://www.shinsegae.com
The Myeongdong branch runs a smaller scale but beautifully designed Christmas market on the fourth floor. This is where you capture classic tree photos, browse limited ornaments and enjoy snacks between shopping sessions. At night, the exterior facade turns into a massive digital light show that pulls in crowds from across the district.
It looks like a Christmas movie set produced at a global luxury standard.
2. Lotte Town Christmas Market: Jamsil’s Glittering Night
Address: Lotte World Tower, 300 Olympic ro, Songpa gu, Seoul
Operating Dates: Nov. 20 to Jan. 4
Tickets Required: https://www.lottetownmarket.com (seasonal opening)
Jamsil turns into a soft focus winter dream. The market sits across the lawn of Lotte World Tower and becomes a magnet for young couples and weekend visitors. The lineup includes mulled drinks, winter street food, handmade ornaments and a two story carousel that anchors the atmosphere.
Visitors line up for the Heart Light Show and the Snow Shower event that falls across the plaza in timed intervals. For an added twist, the fortune telling booth lets you check your luck for the upcoming year.
This is one of the most photogenic Christmas markets in Korea because the tower’s glass surface reflects all the lights around it.
3. Hyundai Department Store: Atelier de Noël at The Hyundai Seoul
Address: 108 Yeoui daero, Yeongdeungpo gu, Seoul
Operating Dates: Nov. 1 to Dec. 31
Reservations Required: https://www.thehyundaiseoul.com
The Hyundai Seoul operates like an entertainment destination rather than a department store. Once you reach the fifth floor, you enter a Christmas environment built like a hybrid between an art installation and a luxury pop up.
The stalls sell design focused ornaments and seasonal items. The photo zones are crafted at a high creative standard and the visual storytelling feels tightly controlled. Santa’s reindeer displays and live action exhibits add to the theatrical feel.
This market is ideal for travelers who want an elevated, modern take on Christmas.
4. Gwanghwamun Christmas Market: Seoul’s Open Air Holiday Lane
Address: Gwanghwamun Square, Jongno gu, Seoul
Operating Dates: Dec. 12 to Dec. 31
Operating Time: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Entry: Free
Your storyline moves outdoors. The cold air hits you first. Then the sound of sizzling sausages clears the background. Gwanghwamun Square transforms its civic space into rows of wooden stalls selling ornaments, holiday toys and handmade crafts.
Seoul Lantern Festival | 서울빛초롱축제
Festival Dates: December 12th, 2025 to January 4th, 2026
Address: 172 Sejong daero, Jongno gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5
Website: https://www.seoultourism.kr (seasonal updates)
The Seoul Lantern Festival remains one of the most defining winter experiences in Korea. It brings thousands of visitors to Cheonggyecheon Stream each year and transforms the waterway into a glowing corridor of cultural storytelling. With more than two hundred light installations planned for the 2025 to 2026 season, this edition promises a stronger visual narrative and expanded interactive elements.
Visitors start at Cheonggye Plaza and follow the illuminated stream path under bridges and walkways. Each installation represents a blend of Korean folklore, modern design and seasonal themes. The reflections on the water create a calm atmosphere that stands in contrast to Seoul’s usual December intensity.
5. Seoul Land Christmas Market
Address: 181 Gwangmyeong ro, Gwacheon si, Gyeonggi do
Operating Dates: Oct. 2 to Dec. 31
Operating Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tickets: https://www.seoulland.co.kr
For families, Seoul Land is the strongest Christmas experience in the region. The entire amusement park turns red and green. Themed zones let visitors take photos with giant trees and holiday characters. A huge market section sells toys, snacks and festive goods.
You can roast marshmallows by the fire pits. Children dance with performers in Christmas shows. The night ends with fireworks and a laser show that lights up the entire park.
It delivers what parents want: predictable fun, safe environments and plenty of warm food.
6. Christmas Lights Busan at Haeundae
Address: 120 Suyeonggangbyeon daero, Haeundae gu, Busan
Operating Dates: Nov. 27 to Dec. 25
Opening Time: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Entry: Free
Details: https://www.marketchango.com
Haeundae Beach becomes a South Korean interpretation of Santa’s Village. Lights cover the walking path and sections are decorated with elves, reindeer and oversized ornaments.
It is quieter than the mega markets of Seoul but offers a completely different mood.
7. Everland Christmas Fantasy
Address: 199 Everland ro, Pogok eup, Yongin si, Gyeonggi do
Operating Dates: Mid November to Early January (Annual pattern)
Tickets: https://www.everland.com
Everland is Korea’s largest theme park and it rolls out one of the most ambitious Christmas programs nationwide. The Christmas Fantasy season includes a nightly parade, a towering tree in the central plaza, large scale light tunnels, themed story zones and a dedicated Santa Village.
The theme park uses a heavy storytelling approach. Each zone has its own narrative arc and the design is intentionally cinematic. It is ideal for families, couples and anyone who wants a large scale winter world rather than a simple market.
8. Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival
Address: 432 Sumogwon ro, Sang myeon, Gapyeong gun, Gyeonggi do
Festival Period: December to March (annual lighting festival)
Tickets: https://www.morningcalm.co.kr
This is not framed as a Christmas market, yet it ranks as one of Korea’s most iconic winter attractions. Millions of LED lights cover the botanical garden, turning it into a quiet, dreamlike landscape. Each garden zone has its own illumination theme and the experience feels closer to an art installation than a holiday event.
It is particularly attractive for visitors traveling to Nami Island and Petite France, since all three destinations sit along the same tourism corridor.
9. Starfield COEX Mall Christmas Installations
Address: 513 Yeongdong daero, Gangnam gu, Seoul
Dates: Late November to Early January
Entry: Free
Details: https://www.starfield.co.kr/coexmall
COEX does not operate a traditional market but its indoor installations consistently trend on Instagram. Expect large photo walls, giant media art trees and seasonal pop up shops across the atrium zones.
The LED façade outside the mall also runs seasonal Christmas animations and the combination of indoor warmth and outdoor spectacle creates a balanced experience. For travelers staying in Gangnam, this is an easy and highly visual stop.
10. Seoul Sky Observatory Christmas Decor
Address: 300 Olympic ro, Songpa gu, Seoul
Dates: Mid November to Early January
Tickets: https://seoulsky.lwt.co.kr
Located at the top of Lotte World Tower, Seoul Sky decorates its observatory with Christmas installations that complement the skyline view. Visitors can capture panoramic night photos of the entire city covered in holiday lights.
This experience pairs well with the Lotte Town Christmas Market below. Visitors can experience the market first, then take the elevator to the top for the full city view.
11. Christmas Village Busan
Address: 120 Suyeonggangbyeon daero, Haeundae gu, Busan
Operating Dates: Nov. 27 to Dec. 25
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Website: https://www.marketchango.com (seasonal updates)
In Busan, you chase the coastline. Christmas Village Busan sits in the heart of Haeundae, and the experience blends festive charm with the sound of winter waves. Instead of skyscraper shadows or department store ceilings, visitors walk through an open air Christmas lane built beside the sea.
The entire market is designed like Santa’s coastal village. Oversized elves, reindeer installations and a signature Christmas tree create easy photo zones. The atmosphere feels warm and approachable, supported by small booths selling seasonal snacks, handcrafted ornaments and holiday treats unique to Busan’s local vendors.
Visitors can write letters to Santa, browse custom souvenirs and enjoy the kind of relaxed pacing that is difficult to find in Seoul’s high pressure holiday districts. The layout encourages wandering instead of queuing which gives this market a more casual and vacation driven personality.
12. Jeju Christmas Winter Illumination
Location: Jeju Herb Dongsan or Bonte Museum (annual rotation)
Dates: December to February
Tickets: Vary by venue (usually 10,000 KRW to 18,000 KRW)
Jeju Island has its own winter rhythm. Several venues run illumination festivals that blend Jeju’s landscape with holiday lighting. The mood is quieter and more nature driven. Travelers can combine it with visits to cafes, coastal drives and seasonal tangerine farms.
13. Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Winter Light Trail
Address: 102 Wonhwa ro, Gyeongju si, Gyeongsangbuk do
Dates: Late November to Early January
Tickets: Included with palace entry
Gyeongju offers a cultural alternative. The palace complex installs subtle lighting rather than extravagant displays. The result is a historically grounded winter scene that feels completely different from Seoul’s flashy markets.
Visitors who want a calmer and more reflective Christmas night will find this an excellent fit.
14. Songdo Triple Street Winter Festival (Incheon)
Address: 33-1 Songdo dong, Yeonsu gu, Incheon
Dates: Early December to Early January
Entry: Free
Songdo’s tech driven urban design becomes a futuristic Christmas showcase. LED tunnels, live weekend markets, VR experiences and holiday installations line Triple Street. It is ideal for families visiting Incheon or travelers seeking something outside Seoul’s typical circuit.
Twinkle Miracle Winter at Lotte World Adventure
Festival Dates: November 22nd, 2025 to March 2nd, 2026
Address: 240 Olympic ro, Songpa gu, Seoul
Tickets: https://adventure.lotteworld.com (seasonal pricing and reservations)
Lotte World Adventure pushes its winter brand further every year and the Twinkle Miracle Winter festival marks one of the most ambitious seasonal programs in Seoul. The theme park sits at the center of Jamsil and offers a full scale winter environment that blends indoor warmth with outdoor spectacle.
The Hyundai Seoul Christmas Forest
Address: 108 Yeoui daero, Yeongdeungpo gu, Seoul
Operating Dates: November 1 to December 25
Opening Hours: 10:30 to 20:30
Website: https://www.thehyundaiseoul.com
The Hyundai Seoul has become one of the most influential retail spaces in Korea. Its design driven identity sets the tone for every seasonal installation and Christmas remains the peak expression of its brand. Instead of a traditional market, the Christmas Forest is built like a curated environment where architecture, light and sound work together to create an immersive holiday space.
The Sounds Forest zone forms the central stage. Tall artificial trees rise between the floors, light curtains shimmer from above and the entire area has the ambience of a modern winter garden. The installations feel closer to a premium exhibition than a festival which positions The Hyundai Seoul as one of the most photographed Christmas destinations in Yeouido.
The pop up market features curated holiday brands, design objects, seasonal ornaments and small batch goods. The photo zones are arranged with a clear creative direction which ensures even casual visitors leave with visually consistent images.
Snoopy Christmas Pop Up at J Dot Tree
Operating Dates: October 25 to December 31, 2025
Hours: Weekdays 16:00 to 21:00, Weekends 14:00 to 21:00
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
Seoul loves turning familiar characters into immersive seasonal experiences and the Snoopy Christmas Pop Up at J Dot Tree is one of the city’s most charming examples. This compact event creates a holiday world that feels warm, nostalgic and deeply personal. The scale is small by design which makes the space feel like a scene pulled straight from a Peanuts comic strip.
Inside, visitors find limited edition Snoopy plush toys, winter themed ornaments, desk accessories, miniature Christmas trees and cozy home decor pieces that are not sold in standard Snoopy stores. Every corner is styled for photos and the curation reflects the brand’s soft, sentimental identity.
The European Christmas Market
Operative Dates: Dates to be expected, Early December (two-day pop-up)
Location: B1 Samseongyo-ro / Seongbukcheon Fountain Square, near Hansung Univ. Station (Line 4), Exit 2
Admission & Fees: Free entry; food and product prices vary by stall.
Food & drink from multiple European countries (Spain, France, Germany etc)
European-style chalets, décor, and live performances
A brief, intense event rather than a month-long market; locals describe it as “the biggest gap between dream and reality.”
Seoul City Hall Winter Festival
Festival Period: Typically mid December to mid February (annual schedule released by Seoul Metropolitan Government)
Location: Seoul Plaza, in front of Seoul City Hall
Address: 110 Sejong daero, Jung gu, Seoul
Hours: Usually 10:00 to 21:30, extended hours on Fridays and weekends
Ice Rink Admission: Around 1,000 KRW for 1-hour sessions (includes skate rentals)
Website: https://www.seoul.go.kr (seasonal updates)
The Seoul City Hall Winter Festival is one of the city’s most beloved public winter traditions. It offers an experience that stands in complete contrast to the curated, luxury focused holiday events around department stores. This festival delivers the unfiltered winter life of local families, framed by the open air ice rink of Seoul Plaza.
Yeongdeungpo Times Square Christmas Market
Address: 15 Yeongjung ro, Yeongdeungpo gu, Seoul
Event Hours: 10:00 to 22:00
Website: https://www.timessquare.co.kr
Subway Access: Direct connection to Yeongdeungpo Station
Parking: Free parking available via Lotte Department Store app or mall parking system
Yeongdeungpo Times Square enters the Christmas season with a large scale, high visibility festive experience that blends shopping, design and entertainment across both indoor and outdoor zones. The complex is already one of Seoul’s busiest commercial hubs and the 2025 Christmas program elevates it into a major holiday landmark.
A giant Christmas tree over ten meters tall stands at the front plaza and acts as the visual anchor of the event. The tree is surrounded by a Christmas House installation and a maze garden concept filled with lights, decorative arches and winter themed structures. The space is designed to guide visitors through multiple photo zones which makes it practical for families, couples and groups of friends.
A scheduled Christmas light show runs during the evenings, turning the plaza into a performance area with choreographed lighting effects. Additional photo points are set up throughout the mall, including a feature spot between Times Square and Shinsegae Department Store.
Inside the mall, a seasonal popup store offers Christmas merchandise, small gifts and limited edition decor items. Visitors can search for “Toms Friends,” small character installations hidden around the complex as part of this year’s interactive theme.
BONUS TIP!
Myeongdong Cathedral Christmas Mass and Lights | 서울 명동성당
Address: 74 Myeongdong gil, Jung gu, Seoul
Website: https://www.mdsd.or.kr (Mass schedule and transport updates)
Myeongdong Cathedral remains one of the most significant Christmas destinations in Seoul. While markets and department stores build spectacle, the cathedral provides a completely different type of holiday experience. The atmosphere is calm, historical and deeply rooted in tradition.
Each year, the cathedral grounds glow with elegant Christmas lighting that highlights the Gothic architecture. Visitors gather in the courtyard to take photos, enjoy the nativity displays and prepare for the Christmas Mass program.
The nativity reenactment begins at 10:30 p.m., followed by Midnight Mass, which draws both locals and foreign residents. Seating opens at 9:00 p.m., and it fills quickly. Travelers who want to attend should arrive early and follow the instructions given by cathedral volunteers.
The location sits at the center of Myeongdong which allows visitors to combine the cathedral visit with the Shinsegae light show, Myeongdong Shopping Street and the winter atmosphere of nearby Namsan.
The holiday narrative here is not about a single market. It is a journey. Each district positions itself differently. Gangnam sells sophistication. Jamsil sells romance. Yeouido sells design. Gwanghwamun sells tradition. Gwacheon sells family warmth. Busan sells coastal charm.
Visitors who treat Christmas in Korea as a multi stop experience gain far more value than those who rely on one destination.
Keep moving. Follow the lights. Build your own story across the city.
Korea’s holiday season has evolved from department store showcases into a nationwide network of winter attractions. Seoul remains the core, but Gyeonggi, Busan, Jeju and cultural cities like Gyeongju now play significant roles in the Christmas travel pipeline.
Travelers who plan a route across multiple markets gain a richer, more textured view of Korean holiday culture. The strongest approach is multi day, cross district and experience driven rather than tied to a single location.