How to Celebrate Christmas in South Korea 2025

If you decide to go on a winter South Korea tour around Christmas, the following are what you should mention or may get interested in. See how Koreans celebrate Christmas and highlight the features of local traditions, destinations, winter activities, and more to ensure you enjoy a well-prepared Korean Christmas holiday!

Do Koreans Celebrate Christmas

Yes, they sure do. Christmas, or Sung Tan Jul, is considered a national holiday in South Korea. Although most Koreans will not celebrate Christmas for religious reasons, it's a day off for local employees and students. Most people celebrate the festival in their own way for family, fun, and romance.

Christmas Celebrations in South Korea

What Is Christmas Day Like in South Korea

Christmas in Korea is influenced by parts of Western traditions, but it still has some apparent differences. In South Korea, Christmas is not a significantly religious event, with less emphasis on religious traditions compared to America or Europe.

As a public holiday, Christmas in Korea gains remarkable popularity among the younger generation, especially children and couples. Koreans usually celebrate it by going out for a meal or going shopping with family and friends. It's also more similar to Valentine's Day in that many young couples go on dates for the Yule tradition.

While exchanging gifts is common in the West, it is a rare Christmas tradition in Korea, and only some couples or close friends may do it. But you can also find streets and shopping districts adorned with colorful decorations of Christmas trees and Christmas lights, as well as Korea's traditional lantern displays and bustling local markets.

For food preferences, unlike the traditional Christmas feasts (turkey, ham, and pudding) in Western countries, Korea's Christmas is celebrated more with strawberry cream cakes and some local cuisines, including tteokguk (Korean rice cake soup), bulgogi (BBQ beef), and Korean fried chicken and beer (a popular festive combo).

For Young Couples, Christmas in South Korea is Similar to Valentine's Day

Christmas Weather in South Korea

Christmas happens at the onset of the winter season in Korea. Temperatures begin to drop, ranging from -6℃ to 5℃ in December, which will reach their lows during Christmas.

Inland cities like Seoul experience moderate temperatures between -3℃ and 2℃ with cold but crisp air. Northern provinces such as Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do may be freezing and expect snowfall in late December. While the coastal region of Busan or Jeju is more welcoming and mild at 10 to 16℃ around Christmas time, despite the occasional cool breeze.

Christmas Traditions & Activities in South Korea

Festive Lights & Decorations

One of the most impressive traditions of Christmas in South Korea is the fabulous light shows and various decorations. Urban cities are illuminated by dazzling LED installations that are full of streets and shopping districts. The lights feature diverse Christmas-themed elements of Santa Claus, elks, candles, stars, and so on in fascinating colors.

In Seoul, you can enjoy a special lantern exhibition and performance while capturing a shot of the dramatic lines of lanterns lighting up the Cheonggyecheon Stream. Shops and cafés in major areas like Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and Gangnam are transformed into winter wonderlands with giant Christmas trees, Christmas festoons, stars, and tiny snowmen and dolls. The decors are covered with sparkling ornaments, which are perfect for Instagram-worthy photos.

Giant Glittering Presents as City Decorations

Christmas Market Shopping With K-pop Themed

On Christmas Day in South Korea, many markets and fairs are open to visitors for Christmas shopping. With beautiful festival ornaments, they are vibrant with festive stalls and K-pop concerts.

There are festive pop-ups at Yeouido Park in Seoul, which offer a wide range of handmade crafts, K-pop-themed souvenirs, and seasonal treats such as hotteok and roasted chestnuts. It is also interesting to explore European-cloned smaller markets; for example, some department stores where you can custom-make nature-oriented Christmas cards and savor Korean snacks and strawberry desserts.

Many shopping malls will give plenty of holiday sales and promotions on Christmas Day. If you're a fevered shopper, this would satisfy your shopping craze with many Christmas options.

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Korean Christmas Meal

In South Korea, a substantial lunch or dinner out with family, lovers, or partners is an essential tradition on Christmas Day. Instead of the traditional Western Christmas roasted turkey and smoked ham, Koreans traditionally have a meal of their native dishes.

Many hotels or restaurants are offering these traditional Korean flavors. You can find your table set with tteok guk (a much-loved rice cake filled with meat or seafood), bulgogi (marinated beef), and a classic set menu of crisp fried chicken with beer. Some bars and upscale restaurants also serve Christmas buffets, with a chance to try authentic Korean BBQ, rice wine (soju), and warm beverages.

For dessert, many Koreans, kids and couples in particular, favor a Christmas cake of satisfying ice cream and refreshing strawberries with hot chocolate. You won't miss out on such a fantastic taste of Korean Christmas cuisine.

Fried Chicken With Beer

Winter Ice Recreations

At this time of year, a Christmas holiday in Korea seems more connected to outdoor ice activities. The fresh, short snow that occurs near Seoul and northern cities provides excellent sledding slopes to build temporary outdoor rinks and ski resorts.

You can take a day trip to one of the popular ice rinks to get ultimate fun from thrilling ice skating with decorated Christmas backdrops or scenic mountain views. For more adventures, Yongpyong or Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort is ideal for day/night skiing and snowboarding on wide snowy slopes for all levels, and try jjimjilbangs (Korean spas) to unwind after a day on the slopes.

There is also a must-try for you to enjoy other ice sports with family, including ice fishing to catch trout, snow tubing, hill sledding, or ice sculpturing. This time, it is also ideal to visit iconic K-drama filming locations covered in snow and Christmas adornments. You can take pictures of the classical sights seen in dramas like Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Winter Sonata.

Best Places for Christmas Celebrations in Korea

Seoul

As the capital city, Seoul is the heart of Christmas celebrations in South Korea. The city is gorgeously adorned with beautiful lanterns and cute Christmas decorations across the riverbanks, streets, shops, restaurants, and almost all major attractions. Some landmarks like the Cheonggyecheon Stream, Myeongdong, and Lotte World Tower will host stunning light exhibits.

The biggest spectacle is the Seoul Lantern Festival. You can see hundreds of lantern sculptures in different vivid images illuminating Christmas night and get a chance to DIY these creative handiworks. During the holiday, Seoul is also a nice place for ice skating or sledding at outdoor rinks like the one in Seoul Plaza. There are seasonal ice fishing festivals held near the Hangang River, which offer incredible ice fishing and fish meals for you as a more adventurous twist.

Illuminated Lantern Decorations

Busan

Busan is a coastal city that enjoys welcoming weather in December, making it one of the hot destinations to spend Christmas vacation in the country.

What really appeals to Busan over the holiday is the local Christmas Tree Festival along the Haeundae Beach. It becomes more attractive with numerous LED-lit Christmas trees of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Even the road trees are shimmered by flower-shaped illuminations, as well as lovely deer and snowman lighting.

The city center will host holiday concerts blending the international vibe at night. You can indulge yourself in inspiring K-pop songs and music performances. While ice fishing is uncommon here, you can go winter sea fishing or take in the breathtaking views of the coast from the neighboring Oryukdo Skywalk.

Jeju

You won't miss this peaceful holiday retreat known for its picturesque landscapes. Jeju boasts many gardens that feature an especially breathtaking setting for varieties of camellias in full bloom. These gardens are decorated with exquisite lighting and create brilliant views during the festival.

On Christmas night, you can watch an emotional fireworks display at any popular spot on the island. Christmas is also a busy time for the local Seongsan Sunrise Festival. Taking part in the event, you may expect a hike up to Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak to catch the dramatic sunrise and awesome scenery of the coastline.

Fireworks Display at Night

Tips to Celebrate Christmas in South Korea

Though the festive atmosphere on Christmas is in full vitality in South Korea, here are some practical tips to make the most of your holiday season there, allowing for weather and cultural differences:

"Merry Christmas" in South Korea

A common way to say "Merry Christmas" in Korean is 즐거운 크리스마스 보내세요 (jeulgeoun keuriseumaseu bonaeseyo), which means "Have a nice Christmas". Or the simplely 메리 크리스마스 (meri Keuriseumaseu).

Book in Advance

South Korea receives few tourists in December; however, both locals and international visitors are on vacation during Christmas. People may flock to some popular places like Seoul, Busan, and Namsan Park. Make preparations and reservations well in advance if you opt for popular destinations.

Be Aware of the Cold

The weather around Christmas in Korea can be chilly and possibly snowy, particularly in the inland and northern regions. Moreover, your Christmas tour may involve more outdoor activities, so pack warm layers and comfortable shoes for exploring.

Respect Celebration Differences

There are different focuses and customs between Korea and the Western Christmas. It's nice to follow local customs and embrace the Korean-style romantic mood. Don't miss the iconic Christmas highlights of light displays, open markets, and ice rinks.

Enjoy Your Special Christmas in South Korea

Immersed in Korean Christmas with its festivities, decorations, cheers, and food are great fun to relish. Give yourself a chance to experience a distinctive Christmas vibe compared to the West and make it one of your pet Christmas buckets.

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