December and January are the coldest months of the year with temperatures dipping well below zero, especially with the windchill. For that reason alone, there aren’t as many outdoor events but there is still plenty to do!
So we’ve got tips to keep you warm and your holidays bright this December!
TEMPERATURE
Winters in Seoul are brutally harsh. Expect the daytime to be 10°C (50°F) at the highest and 0°C (32°F) on colder days while the temperature will range from 0°C (32°F) to -10°C (14°F) at night. We’re not expecting much snow in Korea yet, but we do get wet sleet in December so dress warm.
WHAT TO EAT
Winter in Korea is the perfect opportunity to try out some hot dishes. Traditionally, samgyetang (whole chicken soup), seolleongtang (ox-bone soup), and gomtang (beef-bone soup) are the flavors of the season. Or, if you’re into hotter tastes, spicier dishes like sundubu jjigae are great for regenerating body heat.
If you’re interested in more western tastes, there are several restaurants around Seoul offering more traditional Christmas meals.
EVENTS
Seoul Light Gwanghwamun
- When: December 12 – January 4, 2026
- Where: Gwanghwamun Square (Naver Map, Google Maps)
Seoul Winta Festa is back with multiple events spread throughout the city. Seoul Light Gwanghwamun will take place at Gwanghwamun Square as well as Gwanghwamun Christmas Market.
Atlier de Noel at The Hyundai
- When: Until December 31, 2025
- Where: The Hyundai (Naver Map, Google Maps)
The biggest (and most crowded) Christmas village pop-up in Seoul goes until the end of the year. This year’s theme is Atlier de Noel and pre-reservations for the month of November were filled in 15 minutes. This year, everything is more organized with QR codes available near the escalators of the mall as well as physical tickets for anyone who doesn’t have a Korean phone number. Check out our impressions from last year here.
Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink
- When: December 19, 2025 – February 8, 2026
- Where: Seoul Plaza (Naver Map, Google Maps)
Seoul city will be operating the annual outdoor ice skating rink in front of city hall as usual. This year, the rink will stay open until February (!!). Don’t forget to stop by the snack bar for a nice hot bowl of soupy tteokbokki after you’re done carving the ice.
If you want to know more about the Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink, check out our post.
Seoul Lantern Festival (I LOVE Magikarp)
- When: December 12 – January 4, 2026
- Where: Cheonggyecheon Stream (Naver Map, Google Maps), Uicheon Stream
This year, the Seoul Lantern Festival will be split into two locations: Cheonggyecheon Stream and Uicheon Stream. Interestingly, this year’s Cheonggyecheon Stream exhibit will feature an “I LOVE Magikarp” theme featuring Magikarp and Gyrados lanterns as well as a pop-up shop and themed activities.
The festival gets especially crowded on weekends, so we recommend stopping by on weekdays when it’ll be much quieter and nicer to enjoy the ambience. For more information including dates, times and locations, check out our Everything You Need to Know about the Lantern Festival post.
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