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.
So you’re looking for unique things to do in Seoul that won’t break the bank? Here are 3 super budget friendly activities to do in Seoul this winter that you won’t want to miss.
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!
Of all the festive things to do during the holiday season in Southern California, visiting a home and garden store would definitely not have been on my list. If you’ve never been or even if you’ve heard about it but don’t really know what to expect (like me), Roger’s Gardens during Christmas is basically holiday magic with a gardening and decor twist.
That’s right, in Korea Jesus gets his very own birthday cafe and it goes viral every year. This event is run by the Korea CCC (Campus Crusade for Christ), basically a Christian outreach wrapped in the fun energy of K-pop “birthday cafe” culture.
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.
This is how we spent a day as traditional Korean cobblers. When it comes to traveling, nothing beats a good hands-on experience. We always find them to be a great way to immerse ourselves off the beaten path in unique aspects of foreign culture.
“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!
Seorae Village is a charming little corner of Seoul often called “Little France” because of its strong French community, French school, and European-style cafes and bakeries. And every December, for one day only, this quaint neighborhood comes to life with a beautiful Christmas market.
I’ve rounded up a list of all the K-foods I noticed in the KPDH, along with some of our local recommendations on where to enjoy them on your next Korea trip. Let’s see how many of these Korean foods you recognized and how many you’ve tried. How big of a K-foodie are you?
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.
