Food/Travel

Dec 25, 2023

A festive mood has engulfed Seoul amid the winter holiday season with colorful decorations, gorgeous lighting and even Christmas carols, creating excitement despite the extreme cold. So what spots in the capital best capture the Christmas mood? Korea.net staff recommend the following seven destinations.


By Aisylu Akhmetzianova and Lee Dasom

■ Gwanghwamun Media Facade Show

Through Jan. 21, the 800 m-long media display

Through Jan. 21, the 800 m-long media display "Digital Gwanghwa" runs every evening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Gwanghwamun Media Facade Show at Gwanghwamun Gate in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. (Aisylu Akhmetzianova)


■ La Boutique d'Harry at The Hyundai Seoul 

A great place to see wonderful Christmas-themed stores is The Hyundai Seoul, one of the largest shopping malls in the country. Located at Yeongdeungpo-gu District the complex sells seasonal items and confectionary like the teddy bear Harry. (Lee Dasom)

A great place to see wonderful Christmas-themed stores is The Hyundai Seoul, one of the largest shopping malls in the country. Located at Yeongdeungpo-gu District, the complex sells seasonal items and confectionary like the teddy bear Harry. (Lee Dasom)


■ Seoul Lantern Festival

Marking its 15th year, the Seoul Lantern Festival, which runs through Jan. 21, has expanded from Gwanghwamun Square to Cheonggyecheon Stream and Seoul Plaza. Take selfies next to the big Christmas tree at Cheonggyecheon Plaza and see beautiful lantern art such as Secret Door, Alice in Wonderland, and Whale and Turtle. (Yonhap News)

Marking its 15th year, the Seoul Lantern Festival, which runs through Jan. 21, has expanded from Gwanghwamun Square to Cheonggyecheon Stream and Seoul Plaza. Take selfies next to the big Christmas tree at Cheonggyecheon Plaza and see beautiful lantern art such as Secret Door, Alice in Wonderland, and Whale and Turtle. (Yonhap News)


■ Wonder Wish Garden at Lotte World Tower

Lotte World Tower in Seoul's Songpa-gu District has the fantastic outdoor Wonder Wish Garden. After passing the maze garden gate that signals the beginning of the complex, visitors are welcomed by a large Christmas tree 19 m tall and decorated with colorful ornaments and lights with a merry-go-round behind it. (Lee Dasom)

Lotte World Tower in Seoul's Songpa-gu District has the fantastic outdoor Wonder Wish Garden. After passing the maze garden gate that signals the beginning of the complex, visitors are welcomed by a large Christmas tree 19 m tall and decorated with colorful ornaments and lights with a merry-go-round behind it. (Lee Dasom)


■ Winter Festival DDP

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul's Dongdaemun-gu District through Dec. 31 will host Winter Festival DDP, the country's largest media arts event that features programs like the DDP Christmas Market, New Year's countdown and concerts. (Seoul Metropolitan Government)

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul's Dongdaemun-gu District through Dec. 31 will host Winter Festival DDP, the country's largest media arts event that features programs like the DDP Christmas Market, New Year's countdown and concerts. (Seoul Metropolitan Government)


■ Starfield Library at COEX

An 11 m-tall golden Christmas tree every year welcomes visitors at Starfield Library, which has over 70,000 books, at COEX Mall in Seoul's Gangnam-gu District. Media artworks are also displayed on a 13 m-high book shelf. (Lee Dasom)

An 11 m-tall golden Christmas tree every year welcomes visitors at Starfield Library, which has over 70,000 books, at COEX Mall in Seoul's Gangnam-gu District. Media artworks are also displayed on a 13 m-high bookshelf. (Lee Dasom)


■ Magical Winter Fantasy at Shinsegae Department Store's main branch

The main branch of Shinsegae Department Store in Seoul's Jung-gu District shows the largest media facade in the nation's history that uses 3.75 million LED chips. Through Jan. 31, popular Christmas characters like Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and kid soldiers will decorate the outer walls of the store. (Aisylu Akhmetzianova)

The main branch of Shinsegae Department Store in Seoul's Jung-gu District shows the largest media facade in the nation's history that uses 3.75 million LED chips. Through Jan. 31, popular Christmas characters like Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and kid soldiers will decorate the outer walls of the store. (Aisylu Akhmetzianova)



aisylu@korea.kr