What to See, Eat and Do in Korea (and Beyond)
Right now from January 15 to March 16, 2026, the Grammy Museum is hosting a special pop-up exhibition dedicated to Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, one of the most influential Latin artists in music history. This is kind of a once in a lifetime display for fans because many of her personal items are being shown outside of Texas for the first time ever.
Imagine strolling along a softly lit stream in the heart of Seoul, surrounded by glowing lanterns of every shape and size, from traditional hanji lanterns inspired by Korean history to playful media art and interactive light experiences all set against a winter night’s backdrop. That’s the Seoul Lantern Festival (서울빛초롱축제), one of our favorite events of the year!
One of the most popular Christmas markets in Seoul is the one held every year at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeoido. This visually stunning Christmas market pop-up is held on the 5th floor and features a new theme every year. This year’s theme is Atelier de Noël and it engulfs you in a woodsy Christmas workshop wonderland.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” and Seoul is no exception. As soon as November comes around, Christmas decorations, events and festivities all start to roll out. For a little over two months, Seoul is engulfed in holiday cheer. Here’s some of our favorite ways to take in those sweet Christmas vibes.
It is officially winter in Korea which means it’s going to be cold. Snow isn’t always guaranteed, but sub-zero temperature and chilly nights are. So we’ve got tips to keep you warm and your holidays bright this December!
For my money, Mangwon Traditional Market (망원시장) has been a long time favorite of mine. It’s not massive compared to some markets, but that’s part of the charm. It’s smaller, more manageable, packed with personality and it’s been around for over 40 years. You’ll find fresh produce, dried goods, snacks, street-food stalls and even hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
Located inside Canal City Hakata (a huge shopping and entertainment complex in Fukuoka), Pokémon Center Fukuoka just reopened in June with a full makeover and Latias and Latios front and center. Latias and Latios were chosen as the Fukuoka’s mascots for their connection to Kyushu, the island where Fukuoka is located and the real-world inspiration for the Hoenn region in the Pokemon games.
Right now the Seoul Regional Tourism Center is hosting a free “Local Trip Thu-Fri-Sat” program. The feel is “travel-without-leaving-Seoul” so you get a taste of countryside or coastal region culture (depending on the theme) while staying in the city.
We’ve found the most beautiful view of Seoul and you can only get it from the top of this gigantic helium balloon in the middle of the city. SEOULDAL (서울달), is a mash-up of “Seoul” and dal (moon in Korean) and it’s a giant moon-shaped helium balloon that takes you 130 meters into the air for an unbeatable aerial view of the Han River and Seoul’s gorgeous skyline.
Welcome to autumn in Korea! You’ve made it through the hot, wet summer of 2025 and it’s all blue skies… at least once the temperature cools down and the humidity drops a bit lower. We might still have a bit of lingering summer heat, but September is the start of one of Korea’s most beautiful seasons.
Dazaifu is a small, quiet city on the outskirts of Fukuoka, that’s absolutely perfect for a day trip. Just a 30-minute train ride from Fukuoka (if you plan your train transfers right), Dazaifu is a charming old town that served as Kyushu’s political and diplomatic hub back in the day and I simply had to see it for myself.
Late-night media art shows are the newest wide-spread event here in Seoul. It all started with the Banpo Rainbow Bridge and has now spread to most corners of Seoul. So, whether you’re looking to take in the sights or just rest your feet with a view, here are the most popular light shows to see in Seoul.
