Winter Festivals That Brighten Up December in Korea
- zone tp
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
※ TriPriend app offers discounts and free vouchers for a variety of Seoul cafes, restaurants, and facilities.
To download TriPriend app, please click the banner below.
Christmas and the New Year that everyone has been waiting for are fast approaching.
Can you believe that December is already just around the corner?
Discover the beautiful December festivals in Korea that light up the winter nights!
It will be the perfect way to end the year on a more romantic note.
Let's begin😎
The Haeundae Light is a celebration where you can enjoy light installations stretching from the streets of Haeundae to the beach, creating a more romantic night in Busan. The lights are on from 5:30 PM to midnight, allowing visitors to admire a variety of illuminated artworks after sunset. Stroll slowly from Gunam-ro near Haeundae Station to Haeundae Beach and immerse yourself in the festival atmosphere. The giant tree is especially well-known as a year-end photo spot.
Upon reaching Haeundae Beach, you will find a variety of interactive programs at the entrance. Along the beach, the festival features media façades and interactive media art that respond to gestures and movements, offering even more dazzling attractions. On November 29, when the festival begins, a lighting ceremony will be held along with various performances and fireworks, marking the start of two months of illuminated nights in Busan.
Address: Haeundae Beach and Gunam-ro Area
Work: Nov 29th 2025 – Jan 18th 2026
The Seoul Lantern Festival is one of the city’s signature nighttime light festivals, where traditional hanji lanterns meet modern media art to illuminate the heart of Seoul. Blending classic artistry with cutting-edge visuals, the festival offers both warmth and vibrancy. This year’s theme, “My Light, Our Dream, the Magic of Seoul,” transforms the Cheonggyecheon Stream and the newly expanded Ui Stream area into a mesmerizing world of light.
Visitors can enjoy two contrasting moods — the lively atmosphere of Cheonggyecheon and the cozy charm of Ui Stream — along diverse walking routes. Nearby, Gwanghwamun Square hosts the Gwanghwamun Market, a Christmas market filled with festive food, crafts, and hands-on booths. Spend a magical evening surrounded by glowing lights and celebrate the end of the year in the warmest way possible.
Address: Cheonggyecheon Area (Cheonggye Plaza to Samilgyo) and Ui Stream Area (Uigyo to Suyugyo)
Website: https://stolantern.com/
Work: Dec 12th 2025 – Jan 4th 2026
The New Year’s Bell-Tolling Ceremony: Midnight Sun is Seoul’s iconic New Year’s event held at Bosingak in Jongno, continuing for over 70 years. The ceremony rings the bell 33 times at midnight on December 31st to welcome the new year. It originates from a Buddhist tradition of ringing the bell 108 times in temples to dispel worldly desires. The Bosingak bell, which has historically marked the time for citizens since the Joseon Dynasty, now hosts this culturally and symbolically significant event.
While bell-tolling ceremonies take place across Korea, the one at Seoul’s Bosingak is the largest and most famous. Representatives from various sectors of society join in the ringing, making the new year more meaningful. In addition, various performances take place before and after the bell tolling, allowing everyone to celebrate the end of 2025 and the start of 2026 joyfully.
Address: Bosingak Area (54 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
Work: Dec 31st 2025 – Jan 1st 2026