Seoul Christmas Markets 2025: A Complete Guide

Season: November 2025 – January 2026 | Location: Seoul, South Korea | Best For: Holiday shopping, Photography, Winter dates

Seoul has fully embraced European-style Christmas markets. From late November through early January, six major venues across the city transform into winter wonderlands—complete with towering trees, carousel rides, and rows of vendor stalls. This guide breaks down what each location delivers, so you can plan your visits accordingly.

At a Glance

Lotte Town Christmas Market

Lotte World Mall's outdoor grass plaza hosts Seoul's largest dedicated Christmas market space. The 2025/2026 edition occupies roughly 2,300㎡ beneath Lotte World Tower.

The Setup

A 22-meter Christmas tree anchors the market, surrounded by 41 vendor booths. A functioning two-story carousel spins near the center. Every evening from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM, a media show projects synchronized visuals across the space at 30-minute intervals.

What You'll Find

Vendor selection focuses heavily on seasonal goods: wooden music boxes, handmade ornaments, lifestyle accessories, wine, and desserts. The carousel (₩5,000 per ride) tends to draw long lines after sunset. Snow showers spray across the main tree area five times daily.

Practical Details

Pro tip: Fast Pass buyers skip the queue entirely and receive a ₩5,000 market voucher plus complimentary vin chaud (mulled wine).

The Hyundai Seoul

The Hyundai Seoul's 5th-floor Sounds Forest has become Seoul's most competitive Christmas reservation. The 2025 theme, "Le Grand Theatre," transforms the indoor garden space into an 18th-century European circus setting with hot air balloon installations and ornate tent structures.

What Makes It Different

Unlike outdoor markets, this climate-controlled space maintains consistent temperatures regardless of Seoul's December weather. The mascot bear character "Harry" anchors the merchandising and visual storytelling throughout.

Reservations typically sell out within minutes of opening. Failed reservations can try same-day standby via QR codes on floors 2-4, available from 11:30 AM.

Practical Details

Worth noting: If you miss the Sounds Forest reservation, the 6th-floor dining area overlooks the entire installation—grab a table near the railing.

Shinsegae Myeongdong: The Media Facade Giant

Shinsegae's Main Store in Myeongdong commands attention through scale. The 63m × 18m exterior media facade—Korea's largest—runs a three-minute animated Christmas show on continuous loop each evening.

The 2025 Theme

This year's narrative follows unwrapping moments of holiday surprise, rendered in animation styles ranging from classical to contemporary. The accompanying orchestral score blends Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 22 with traditional carol arrangements.

Inside the Store

A connecting passage between the main building's 4th floor and new building's 3rd floor houses "The Gift Shop"—a temporary Christmas market with curated home goods, British tea brand Fortnum & Mason products, and seasonal ornaments.

Practical Details

Shinsegae Gangnam

The Christmas Joy Market

Ten Seoul-based lifestyle shops set up temporary stalls: Bo Market from Gyeongnidan-gil, Made Pani from Seongsu-dong, The Village Shop from Bangbae-dong, among others. Product focus runs toward snow globes, music boxes, advent calendars, and tree decorations.

Photo Opportunities

The central atrium features suspended hot air balloon ornaments. Two photo booth options operate on-site: News Story Paper's vintage newspaper-frame instant photos and Sihyeonhada's four-cut Christmas booth.

Practical Details

Ttukseom Hangang Park

The "Romantic Hangang Christmas Market" occupies both indoor and outdoor spaces along the Han River—specifically the Ttukseom Jabeolle building and the area beneath Cheongdam Bridge.

2025 Edition Details

The 2025 market theme centers on "Winter Playground," running seven days only—December 19-25. The indoor Jabeolle building houses the market zone with 40+ vendors selling handcrafted items and Christmas accessories. The outdoor area beneath Cheongdam Bridge holds food trucks and a luminaria forest.

Practical Details

Seoul Land: Theme Park Christmas

Seoul Land in Gwacheon runs its "Holly's Christmas Market" as part of the broader "Every Day Merry Christmas" seasonal event—the longest-running option, starting in October and continuing through December 31.

Practical Details

Planning Multiple Visits

Best Strategy by Priority

If photography matters most: Shinsegae Myeongdong (5:30-7:00 PM for golden hour + media facade) → The Hyundai Seoul (book morning slot for softer crowds)

If shopping matters most: Lotte Town (widest vendor variety) → Shinsegae Gangnam (curated local brands)

If atmosphere matters most: Ttukseom Hangang (riverside evening) → Seoul Land (full theme park experience)

Crowd Patterns

Weekends and Christmas Eve draw the heaviest traffic across all venues. Tuesday-Thursday evenings offer the most manageable conditions. The Hyundai Seoul remains crowded regardless of timing due to reservation caps.

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