Things to Do in Korea, December 2024

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 Korea 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

BTS Birthday Events

December is a great time for BTS fans with Jin and V’s birthdays this month. Check out our list of BTS events for when and where to get your fill of cute cafes and photo cards.

Seoul Winta Festa Opening Ceremony

• When: December 13, 2024
• Where: Gwanghwamun Square (Naver Map, Google Maps)

Seoul Winta Festa is back with multiple events spread throughout the city. The opening ceremony is set for December 13th in Gwanghwamun Square if you’re in the area! Check the dates and locations below for more festivities!

Le Grand Theater at The Hyundai

• When: Until December 31, 2024
• 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 Le Grand Theater 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 here.

Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink

• When: December 20, 2024 – February 9, 2025
• 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.

The 16th Annual Lantern Festival

• When: December 13, 2024 – January 12, 2025 (6 PM – 10 PM)
• Where: Cheonggyecheon Stream (Naver Map, Google Maps)

This year, the lantern festival returns to the Cheonggyecheon Stream from last year’s location in Gwanghwamun Square. The stream is the perfect place to walk at night and it’s even better since the lanterns are displayed above the stream itself.

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.

Seoul Illustration Fair

• When: December 26 – December 29
• Where: COEX Convention Center Hall B (Naver Map, Google Maps)

The seasonal Seoul Illustration Fair is back at COEX for 4 days at the end of December. The SIF is an artist’s alley event with multiple indie artists as well as professional mainstream artists in attendance. We tend to go every year to support our own favorite artists and, if you’re in town, it’s totally worth a visit.