Planning your Seoul South Korea travel itinerary? These are the best fun and unique things to do in Seoul Korea in winter to include in your Korea bucket lists, whether it's South Korea Seoul in December, January, or February. From Han River festivals at night to free things and non-touristy options.
South Korea has 4 very distinct seasons, ranging from a terribly hot and humid summer and a freezing cold winter during which the temperature can drop to -20 Celcius! Thankfully, the winter days are often dry with blue skies!
I must be honest and confess that fall is by far my favorite time to visit Korea but I'll pick winter over summer in Korea anytime. Just make sure you're appropriately packed for winter so you stay warm and cozy!
Indoor Activities
As a respite from the freezing Korean winter weather, I suggest adding several indoor activities in your South Korea itinerary, such as:
Korean cooking classes
For food lovers like myself, Korean cooking classes provide a hands-on opportunity to cook famous Korean foods such as:
- kimchi
- Korean stews (jjigae)
- bibimbap (rice with seasonal vegetables and a sunny-side fried egg
- bulgogi (marinated grilled meat) and more.
As an Asian food blogger, it's no surprise that one of my favorite experiences was learning to make kimchi in a hanok in Bukchon-dong! (Click here for my Seoul Kimchi Class review.) (The other was taking a Seoul food tour!)
Alternatively, you can visit the Museum Kimchikan in Insadong, kimchi visitors can learn and taste samples of different varieties of kimchi or take a Kimchi making class.
Make your own korean souvenirs
As they say, homemade things are made with love.
What's better than a souvenir you made yourself? (For those whose interests lie elsewhere, here's a list of the best South Korean souvenirs you can buy to bring home.)
Some of my favorite popular craft classes in Seoul include:
Mother-of-Pearl
Address: (Just outside) Bukchon Hanok Village
Learn Najeonchilgi, the Korean traditional mother-of-pearl technique. In this class, you can make your own hand mirrors, trays, coasters, key chains and hair ties. (You can choose what you want to make and pay accordingly- click here for my review of the Mother of Pearl class.)
Korean Pottery
Make your own Korean Moon Jars to bring home with you!
Stone Stamp
Have you seen Full House? It's a classic Korean romance drama, starring Rain, in which the lead actress lost her house because her besties stole her personal stone stamp (dojang 도장 ).
In Korea, the dojang/ stamp is a personal mark that can be used to sign documents. You can make your personal dojang in this class! The class is aptly held in Insa-dong, an area famous for being the centre of Korean culture.
If a stamp is not your thing, why not turn your Korean name (or any Korean words) into a necklace?
Perfume Making
This perfume class is held in a renovated 80-year old hanok (traditional Korean house.) Here, you can make a fragrance that is unique to you, choosing from 400 different scents.
Get a korean makeover
Thanks to K pop and K drama, South Korea is well known for its advanced beauty industry and skincare products.
One of the most popular things to do in Korea is to get a hair cut, makeover, personal color analysis and pamper oneself with facials and massages. I get at least 1 hair cut/ treatment/ perm, 1 facial, and 1 massage on each of my Korean trips. (Click here for my review of hair salons & best facials in Seoul.)
One of my favorite ways to relax is at the Sulwhasoo spa.
In addition, 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.
Museums
Visiting museums in Seoul is a great way to escape from the rain or to warm yourself from the freezing weather in winter!
Here are some of my favorite Korean Museums:
- National Museum of Korea
Established in 1945, this is Korea's largest, most popular Museum where you'll find:
- archeological and historical gallery with pieces of art dating back to Korea’s early history (1st floor)
- calligraphy and paintings (2nd floor)
- Buddhist sculptures (plus art and culture of Asia, 3rd floor.)
Plus it's free! (Although you can pay for a walking tour of the Museum if you want.)
- War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)
This is a very popular museum for history enthusiasts.
Head to the indoor section of the museum to see exhibitions related to South Korean wars. Outside the museum, travelers can see tanks, vehicles, submarines, aircraft and artillery used by Korea during the World War 2, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Another free Seoul attraction!
- National Folk Museum
This museum is located within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace and is one of my favourites.
Head to the first exhibition hall, “History of Korean People” displaying everyday life materials of the Korean people dating from prehistoric times to 1910. “The Korean Way of Life” of the second exhibition shows how the life of a Korean villager in ancient times was like. The third exhibition, “Life Cycle of the Koreans” is all about Confucianism and how this ideology has affected the life of Koreans in Korea.
- The Story of King Sejong Museum
This vast museum displays the many achievements of King Sejong who was the 4th king of the Joseon Dynasty. King Sejong is famous for the creation of the Korean alphabet, “Hangeul”, which makes the language very easy to learn!
enjoy a korean show: nanta cooking show in myeongdong
Nanta is a unique and non-verbal comedy that uses kitchen utensils (e.g. knives and cutting boards) to create music and movements and is very popular.
The Nanta show is also very easy to get to, being shown in Myeongdong.
Festivals
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 that is held at Seoul's prime attractions and lights up the city.
Great for strolling along the festive grounds lit up by glittering decorations and Christmas lights!
Hangang river winter festival
Dates: Dec 19-31 2025
Address (in 2024): Yeouido, Jamwon, Ttukseom, Mangwon Hangang Parks
This is part of a 4 season festival- there's also a Hanging summer, fall and spring festival.
During winter, you can enjoy year-end festivities at various Hangang Park locations. In 2024, there was a Christmas market with a tall Christmas tree and fireworks cruise.
Seoul plaza ice skating rink (서울광장 스케이트장)
Dates: 19 Dec 2025 - February 2026
Hours : 10 am - 2130 (Sundays - Thursdays), 10 am - 2300 (Fridays, Saturdays, Public Holidays)
Address: 110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 중구 을지로 12 시청광장지하쇼핑센터
Admission Fee: 1000 Won
This is one of South Korea’s top places for winter activities as it is easy to get to, being located in Central Seoul, by Seoul City Hall. In 2024/5, it attracted 170,000 visitors over 52 days.
Every winter, Seoul plaza is turned into an outdoor skating ring- ice-skating is one of the quintessential winter Seoul experiences (especially if you're there during Valentine's Day. How many times have you seen couples skating in K-dramas?!)
There are separate rinks for beginner and advanced skaters, so don't be intimidated! (You can sign up for beginner classes if you want to learn how to ice skate.)
Note: you can rent skates, helmets, gloves and knee pads. (Some free, some rented for a fee.)
International sculpture festa
Dates: February 6 - 9, 2025
Address: COEX (515 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-do)
This festa combines art and creativity in an outdoor setting with local and international sculptures exhibiting their contemporary works. There will be art workshops and cultural performances.
Tip: if you're looking for a hotel close by, I stayed at Intercontinental COEX and was impressed by the service!
seoul fashion week
Dates: February 6 - 10, 2025
Address: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) 282 Euljiro, Jung-gu
Seoul Fashion Week showcases the next leaders in Korean fashion. There will be fashion shows and presentations from corporate brands, k-pop bands and other special events.
k-illustration fair seoul
Dates: Jan 29- Feb , 2026
Address: COEX, Hall D (515 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-do)
Held in February in 2025, this year the fair is moved up a bit earlier.
Artists, illustrators, art and comic lovers head to COEX to see a wide range of styles and techniques from digital illustrations and comics (man hwa) to water colors and prints at this illustration festival.
hma hanteo music awards
Dates: February 15 and 16, 2025
Address: Jangchung Arena (241 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu)
The 32nd annual Hanteo Music Awards (HMA) is a musical award held annually for artistes that have made a big impact on the music industry.
You can meet some of your favourite Korean stars and celebrate with them as they are rewarded for their hard work!indoor activities
Any questions about the best things to do in Seoul in winter? Let me know in the comments!
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