【Korea】Complete Guide to Illuminations 2025

A festival of lights to enjoy from November! Must-see spots and tips for Myeongdong, Yeouido, and Jamsil

Winter in Korea is like a season enchanted by the magic of light✨

What are you looking forward to on your winter trip to Korea?

In Korea, as soon as November arrives, the entire city is instantly transformed into Christmas mode,

and illuminations on a scale rarely seen in Japan make an overwhelmingly impressive statement.

Light shows covering the entire exterior walls of department stores, illuminations surrounding lakes,

European-style Christmas markets...everywhere you look is sure to be perfect for your social media feed📸

In this column, we will introduce the Korean illumination spots you absolutely must visit during the 2024-2025 winter season

in an easy-to-understand, area-by-area guide!

Myeongdong (명동) Area

Shinsegae Department Store Main Store　The Entire Building Transforms into a Giant Screen 

Event period: 11/1〜1/31

The light and sound show using a media façade is truly spectacular.

This year's theme is Musical Wonderland.

Enjoy a fantastical performance where light and music blend together perfectly.

The best view is from in front of the Seoul Central Post Office across the street, where you can take in the entire building.

The show takes place approximately once every hour, so you can enjoy it between shopping trips.

💕

Lotte Department Store Main Store　

A Lighting Show You Can Easily Stop By to See

 Event period: 11/1〜12/31

The highlight is the WONDERFUL SHOWTIME exterior wall show featuring approximately 20,000 LEDs.

Located in the heart of Myeongdong, it is easy to casually stop by on your way back from shopping♪

Since it is within walking distance of Shinsegae Department Store, visiting both shows is also recommended.

🎄

Yeouido Area

The Hyundai Seoul【H Village】is a Must-Visit Spot!

 Event period: 11/1〜12/31

This season's must-see area recreates a European Christmas market.

This year's theme is 【LE GRAND THEATRE (The Moving Grand Theater)】,

with colorful tents and stage-inspired decorations spread throughout the store.

About the Reservation System

Reservations are required in advance, and competition is quite fierce.

But don't give up! There are ways to enjoy it even if you can't get a reservation.

・Chance to enter by registering via QR code from 11:30 on the day 

・You can look down over the entire area from the 6th-floor restaurant zone 

・You can still fully enjoy the atmosphere without a reservation

It gets especially crowded on weekends, so visiting on a weekday is recommended.

The time just after opening is relatively less crowded.

How to Enjoy H Village

At the Christmas market-style stalls, you can enjoy authentic European cuisine,

including mulled wine and German sausages.

With a warm drink in hand, perfect for the cold winter, enjoy the dazzling light displays

🍷

Jamsil Area

Lotte World Tower　One of Korea's Largest Christmas Trees

 Event Period: 11/20〜1/5

The entire 555m-high tower transforms into a tree of lights!

Especially on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a special version of the light-up display is presented,

making it a hugely popular sight so beautiful that it is worth going out of your way to visit.

✨

Charlotte Village　European-Style Christmas Market

The Christmas market held in the grassy plaza

is themed around 【Charlotte Village】. European-style stalls line the area,

allowing you to feel as though you are traveling abroad while still in Korea.

This year's highlight is Chanel's ice skating rink, returning for the first time in three years!⛸️

 You can enjoy a special experience skating in a luxurious atmosphere.

A Stroll Along the Path of Light at Seokchon Lake Luminarie

 Event period: 10/25〜2/28

The entire area surrounding the lake is decorated with fantastical light installations,

making it the perfect spot for a stroll.

The Luminarie Gate, tunnel of light, and sparkling bridge appear one after another,

and the biggest attraction is being able to enjoy the ever-changing scenery as you walk.

Don’t miss the projection mapping displayed on Lotte World’s castle!

Take a leisurely walk around the lake and enjoy the light art from various angles💫

It’s a versatile spot that’s enjoyable for any occasion, whether it’s a date as a couple, a family outing, or a girls’ trip with friends.

Gwanghwamun (Gwanghwamun) Area

Gwanghwamun Christmas Market

 Event period: 12/13〜1/5

A large-scale event featuring a giant Christmas tree, Santa’s Village, a flea market,

and plenty of food booths!

With 1.22 million visitors last year, it is the most popular Christmas market in Korea.

Recommended Time to Visit

Since weekends are extremely crowded, weekday evenings are the best time to visit.

If you arrive around 17:00〜18:00, you can catch the time when it starts getting dark and the lights become especially striking.

One of the highlights is being able to enjoy shopping for various street-food delicacies, handmade goods, Christmas ornaments, and more.

There are also many unique Korean-style products, making it perfect for souvenir hunting🎁

Seoul Lantern Festival

Event Period: 12/13–1/12

From Gwanghwamun Square to Cheonggyecheon, the entire city glows with lanterns in this traditional festival of light.

This year's theme is 【SOUL LANTERN: Seoul, Playing with Light】.

A fusion of traditional Korean lanterns and modern art,

it offers a unique presentation that cannot be seen anywhere else.

Highlights

The lanterns installed along Cheonggyecheon

mainly feature designs inspired by Korean history and culture.

Traditional Korean motifs such as dragons, tigers, and phoenixes glow fantastically🏮

You can enjoy the displays at your own pace while walking along the stream, which is another great feature.

They are also easy to photograph and guaranteed to look great on social media📸

Yeongdeungpo Times Square

Event Period: 12/13–1/5

Times Square, a large shopping mall in the Yeongdeungpo area, is completely transformed into a Christmas wonderland!

The giant Christmas tree set up in the outdoor plaza is approximately 20 meters tall.

A Christmas market is also held nearby, allowing you to enjoy both shopping and dazzling light displays.

It is directly connected to the subway station, making access extremely convenient. Another great feature is that you can get there without getting wet even on rainy days☔

The Appeal of Korean Illuminations✨

✔ Long event periods (from November until around Lunar New Year)

✔ Mostly free to enjoy

✔ A scale incomparable to that of Japan

✔ Perfect for social media photos from every angle

Since you'll be taking nighttime photos, night mode is recommended on your smartphone.

Be sure to fully charge your phone and secure enough storage space.

Tips for Enjoying the Illuminations⚠️

Be sure to dress warmly!

Even in November, it is cold enough to require a lightweight down jacket.

From December onward, it gets even colder, with some days dropping below freezing.

Recommended clothing ・Thick down jacket ・Scarf, gloves, and hat 

・Hand warmers (also available at convenience stores in Korea) ・Thick socks ・Comfortable, warm shoes

Since you will be spending time enjoying the illuminations outdoors, it is best to dress warmly enough that you think, “Maybe this is a little too warm?” 🧣

Don’t forget to prepare in advance for popular spots

For reservation-only spots such as H Village, booking early is essential. Be sure to check the reservation opening date on the official website or app.

Some spots can also be enjoyed with same-day tickets or without a reservation, so don’t give up—check locally when you arrive.

Be sure to check the lighting hours!

Many illuminations are lit from around 17:00 to 22:00. They look most beautiful after sunset.

The best time is around 18:00–19:00. It is completely dark by then, and the crowds also start to thin out🌙

Tips for avoiding crowds

・Weekdays rather than weekends ・Soon after opening ・Avoid Christmas Day ・Check the weather forecast (there are fewer people on rainy days)

Tips for taking photos📸

・Set your smartphone to night mode ・Look for moments when there are fewer people ・Take both vertical and horizontal photos ・Taking videos as well will make it more enjoyable later ・Bring a spare battery

Check how to get there in advance

The subway is the most convenient and reliable option. Be sure to check the nearest station for each spot in advance.

Looking up the route on NAVER Map or Kakao Map in advance will help you get around smoothly on the day🚇

💡Summary

A winter trip to Korea is definitely worth taking for the illuminations.

The fantastical world enveloped in light will become a special memory that you cannot experience in Japan.

Combined with shopping, gourmet food, and sightseeing,

be sure to enjoy Korea’s winter festival of lights to the fullest✨

You can enjoy them starting in November, so planning early is recommended.

Take thorough measures against the cold, fully charge your camera, and enjoy the wonderful world of lights to your heart’s content😊

All of the spots are conveniently located and easily accessible, so even first-time travelers can visit them with peace of mind.

Why not go experience Korea’s magic of lights this winter?

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