New Year’s Events in Seoul, 2024/2025

UPDATE: Due to the recent tragedy at Muan airport, there are several events across the countries that have been cancelled as the country enters a week of mourning.

New Year’s Eve is a big deal in Korea with events all over the country. There are multiple ways to spend this special day in Seoul. Whether you’re looking to ring in the new year at midnight or enjoy some daytime festivities, here’s a list of official Seoul city events.

Bosingak Bell

• Where: Jong-ro 54 (종로 54 보신각)

The main event for Seoul every year is the ringing of the Bosingak Bell by Jonggak Station. There are traditional performances, singers, dancers and fireworks at this event, but the crowds are massive. While this event is one of the biggest in the city, it’s also one of the most difficult to leave after the festivities are over.

This year, the festivities will be spread along the Sejong-daero area. The goal being to prevent crowding, but also have multiple areas from which to ring in the new year.

We’ve attended more than a few times and when the majority of the crowds have left, you can find street vendors selling fireworks. Just be careful where you point that thing.

Sinchon Countdown Concert

• Where: Changcheon-dong (창천동)

Over by the Hyundai Mall in Sinchon is a smaller local New Year’s Eve event hosted by the city. There’s confetti, a huge countdown and multiple performances. Last year, we had Crying Nut (an awesome local indie band that locals and expats all love) perform right up until midnight. Check out their page for more details.

Seoul Light DDP 2024 Winter

• Where: Euljiro 281 (을지로 281)

The DDP will be hosting a special New Year’s Eve event to ring in the new year. The facade will be showing multiple light shows with a DJ performance at 11 PM and midnight along with fireworks. The entire event is scheduled to run past 1 AM on January 1st. Check out their page for the full schedule and details.

Seoul Con 2023

• Where: Euljiro 281 (을지로 281)

Seoul Con is an influencer event scheduled for December 30th to the 1st at the DDP. Currently, while some of the events are still ongoing, many have been cancelled out of respect for the events at Muan airport.

Fireworks at Lotte Tower

• Where: Olympic-ro 300 (올림픽로 300)

Lotte Tower is less of an event and more of a spectacle. The tower lights up on New Year’s Even with countdown numbers appearing on the tower and a shower of fireworks to celebrate the New Year.

There are plenty of places to watch the fireworks from with Seokchon Lake being a nice spot. It’s out of the way for most Seoulites, but if you’re staying in the area, it might be worth it.

Fireworks at COEX

• Where: Yeongdongdaero 513 (영동대로 513)

The Starfield COEX mall rings in the new year with a fireworks spectacular in the heart of Gangnam’s financial district. There isn’t much else going on, but Samseong-dong has a lot of bars and pubs to grab a drink and some good food on New Year’s Eve!