If you are planning to visit Seoul in December, I hope my guide based on my last 8 - 10 trips to South Korea, which included visiting a ski resort to hanging out at cozy coffee shops in Seoul, will help you decide on what are the best places to visit during the holiday season,
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The first 2 weeks of December experience a lull in the tourist crowds, giving you a chance to enjoy more affordable prices at hotels and on flights. However, there will be a rise in domestic tourism as the schools in South Korea start their winter vacation in mid-December and ends end of January.
Weather
South Korea has very distinct seasons so winter is very cold: the winter months are not the best time to visit Seoul if you do not like cold weather. (Dressing in layers is a good idea.) The weather forecast is usually for snow at the end of December, so this is the time of year to visit if you want to experience a winter wonderland. (It's also the perfect place for winter sports in Asia.)
December has an average temperature ranging from -3 degrees C (27 degrees F) to 2 degrees C (36 degrees F). Days are also shorter in December; on the bright side, the clear skies will give you an average of 5 hours of sunshine per day.
In addition, this is one of the driest months in Seoul, so there's less chance of rain interfering with your sightseeing, and precipitation decreases by 10%. Plus, it's the perfect weather to enjoy popular winter street food such as baked sweet potatoes.
I've only been to Korea in winter 2-3 times- I prefer visiting in fall and spring- but I have a bestie who goes in December every year: despite temperatures sometimes falling to -20C, she finds that it's not that cold thanks to the sunny days and blue skies.
Note: if this is the only time you can travel but you hate cold weather conditions, you can consider visiting coastal areas such as Jeju Island or Busan instead.
Things to Note
South Koreans has 1 public holiday in December, Christmas Day.
Though Christmas is a national holiday in South Korea, it is not celebrated in the same way as it is done in the West. Most of the stores and restaurants will be opened for business.
There are a few Christmas markets in Seoul, but it's not on the same scale as the west. Nonetheless, exploring Seoul Christmas Market is still fun!
School holidays in South Korea start from mid-December to end of January. Therefore, do expect a rebound in domestic tourism at family- friendly attractions.
Festivals & Events
Seoul Winta Festival
Dates: Between December and January.
Address: DDP, Bosingak Pavilion, SAejong-daero, Gwanghwamun Square, Yeolrin Songhyeon Green Plaza, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and Seoul Plaza. (In 2024, it started from Gwanghwamun Square.)
Fee: Varies depending on the event.
This grand festival is Seoul's largest winter festival.
Taking place at Seoul’s prime attractions, it lights up the city. You can enjoy strolling along the festive grounds lit up by glittering decorations and Christmas lights.
Seoul Lantern Festival
Dates: Last year, it was held on December 15, 2023 - January 31, 2024
Address: 172 Sejong-Daero, Jongno-gu
One of the biggest and most popular festivals in South Korea is the Seoul Lantern Festival.
It will be held in Cheonggyecheon Plaza and the area of Cheonggyecheon Stream, Jongno-gu. Hundreds of LED lights and lanterns are made of traditional Korean paper will lit up downtown Seoul!!
Hangang River Winter Festival
Dates: In 2024 it was held during the last 10 days of December.
Address (in 2024): Yeouido, Jamwon, Ttukseom, Mangwon Hangang Parks
Enjoy year-end festivities and send-off the year at these Hangang Park locations. In 2024, there was a Christmas market with a tall Christmas tree and fireworks cruise.
K-Link Festival
This K Pop festival was held in December in 2023 but in October in 2024 so the dates vary from year to year.
Festivals Close to Seoul
Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival
- Dates : December to March every year
- Address : 1632-1, Seogok-ri, Panbu-Myeong, Wonju-oi, Gangwon-do
Visitors will have a good time enjoying the beautiful glimmering lights illuminating The Garden of Morning Calm and its surroundings.
This festival of lights is held from December to March: it is one of the best things to do in December, despite the cold days, where you can see tens of thousands of lights brightening up the the night sky, bringing festive cheer.
Note: the garden opens at 11 am but the lights only turn on at 5 pm till 9 pm or 11 pm (depending on the day.)
Getting there by
- Tour: There are several tours from Seoul to the Garden of Morning Calm. This is the most convenient but also most expensive way to get there.
- Bus: Take an intercity bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal near Gangbyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 2) to Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal in Gapyeong → Change to the Gapyeong City Tour Bus or a local bus
- Train: Take an ITX train from Yongsan Station OR Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul. This will take you to Cheongpyeong Station in Gapyeong → You will need to switch to the Gapyeong City Tour Bus or a local bus
- Subway: Take the Subway Gyeongchun Line from Seoul to Cheongpyeong Station in Gapyeong → You will then need to change to the Gapyeong City Tour Bus or a local bus.
Don't forget to print out the Korean name and address to show the cab or bus driver or in case you need to ask for directions!
Sanjeong Lake Duck Sledding Festival
- Dates: From December to early February
- Address: 104, Sanjeongho Lake-ro 411beon-gil, Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 포천시 영북면 산정호수로411번길 104)
Note: You can go to Sanjeong Lake from Seoul by public transport which will take you around 3 hours and 20 minutes.
- Start by taking Seoul subway line 1 to 7 and alight at Dobongsan Station
- Exit the station via Exit 1, cross the street, and proceed down the road on your right. Take the first left onto the adjacent street.
- Continue along this street for approximately 4 minutes until you arrive at abus stop No. 10339, situated on your right.
- Take Bus no. 1386 to reach Bus Stop no, 41539
- Alight, cross the road and walk straight for about 15 minutes to reach Sangjeon Lake.
Sangjeong Lake (also known as Sangjeonghosu) is dotted with cosy coffee houses, pensions (Korean bed and breakfasts) and restaurants along its shores. It is family-friendly with its amusement park and kids can ride on wobbling Viking boats or bumper cars.
This annual winter event first started in. 2010, organised by local residents features sleighs as well as vivid yellow ducks and penguins adorned with colorful scarves around their necks gliding across the frozen Sangjeong Lake. There will also be a ducky train ride and a farm tractor pulling a string of 9 duck figurines attached to a wooden toboggan board, gliding across the frozen lake’s surface.
Take a slow walk along the scenic ‘Sanjeonghosu Dulle-Gil’. This 4-kilometer-long path follows the shoreline of the lake.
Herb Island Light Festival
Dates : Month of December 2024
Visitors will see Herb Island transformed into a glittering winter magic land with thousands of twinkling lights, shaped like herbs. There will also be pink wish tunnels to Christmas- themed attractions.
Sunrise Festivals
On the last day of December, it is popular thing for the locals to go to beaches or mountains to catch a good view of the first sunrise.
There are sunrise festivals held all over South Korea. Making wishes while watching sunrise on the first day of New Year is believed to bring good luck: your wishes for a lucky year ahead will come true!
Achaean Sunrise Festival (아차산 해맞이 축제)
- Address: Achasan, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 광진구 광장동
This is close to Seoul and is a very popular place to watch the sunrise so expect crowds. Also note that there'll be a 15 minute winter hike up.
Historical & Cultural
A trip to Seoul won't be complete without visiting:
The Royal Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty
During the Joseon Dynasty there were 8 palaces built. Only Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung remain today.
Gwanghwamun Gate
Constructed in 1395, this gate is the main entrance from the grand Sedong Boulevard to Kyongbuk Palace. Three arched gates and a 2 storey pavilion are typical architecture design of that period.
Bukchon Hanok Village
This Korean village dates back to the 14th century and has narrow streets lined with rows of traditional Korean houses. It's a fun place to have a wander- or take a kimchi cooking class!- but remember that people actually live here so be quiet and respectful.
Jongmyo Shrine
This is the ancestral shrine of the Joseon kings and is one f Korea’s most precious cultural monuments. It is also another UNESCO World Heritage designated site.
Other Things to Do
Beauty Treatments
Why not get a facial in Seoul? (Click through for reviews of the various spas I've tried.)
My favorite way to relax after a long and tiring day is to get a Sulwhasoo ginseng facial. (Click through for my detailed review!)
Or how about a haircut? There are SO many hair salons in Seoul, doing your hair is not expensive AND the stylists can recreate your favorite hairstyles from Korean dramas. (Click here for my review of the famous Juno hair salon.)
For those who are good with their hands, why not try some traditional Korean crafts? This Mother of Pearl Craft Making Class at Bukchon Hanok Village gives you an opportunity to relax your tired feet as well as make your own traditional Korean artwork. (Click for review.)
Kimchi and food are key parts of Korean culture so your trip won't be complete without learning about Korean food!
At the Museum Kimchikan in Insadong, kimchi visitors can learn and taste samples of different varieties of kimchi. You can even taking a Kimchi making class in Bukchon-dong! (Click through for my review of my "Professional Kimchi Class.")
Or why not take a cooking class in Seoul?
Head out of Seoul to Ski
Korea is a good place for ice skating and skiing. I first learnt to ski at a ski resort outside Seoul!
What to Bring
- T shirts: a mix of long and short sleeved
- Note: If visiting temples or religious sites, the attire should be modest.
- Skirts or trousers
- In Korea, it's acceptable to wear very short skirts, but any hint of cleavage may get you weird looks
- One or two dressy tops or dresses (for if you go somewhere more formal)
- Walking shoes
- I've broken 2 pairs of shoes in Korea already! (You walk a lot.)
- Bringing an extra pair if you have large feet is a good idea. (It's almost impossible to find women's shoes in large sizes in Korea. (You can try ABC Mart in Myeongdong if desperate.))
- Sunglasses, hat and SUNBLOCK
- The UV index is high during daylight hours. Korean sunblock is very good so you could just bring something travel-sized and stock up there.
- Any prescription medicine you may need: remember to check Korea's laws as they do not always accept prescription notes from doctors.
- Travel documents: passport, air ticket, itineraries, hotel reservations, visa and insurance papers, international driving license (if you plan to drive) etc
- Credit cards
- Note that some street stalls only take cash.
- Mobile phone, chargers, and travel adapters
- eSIM or physical 4G SIM card
- The previous link (above) is for a physical SIM card that can be picked up from the airport. If you get a SIM card for more than 3 days, you get a free T money card via the link above (offer valid at the time of writing.)
For more information on packing for a Korean winter, click here.
Any questions about Seoul experiences in winter? Let me know in the comments!
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