Christmas in Korea (2026): Is It a Holiday and How Does Korea Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas in Korea surprises a lot of visitors. It’s a public holiday, the cities are covered in lights from November, and Seoul’s department stores compete over giant LED shows. But the day itself feels different from Christmas in the West: for many Koreans it’s a date night rather than a family day, cake matters more than turkey, and you’ll find shops and cafés open as usual. This guide explains whether South Korea celebrates Christmas, how Koreans spend it, what’s open on 25 December 2026, and where to go.

Last checked: 2 November 2026. Most 2026 Christmas dates haven’t been announced yet, so we use last year’s (2025) dates and will update when the 2026 schedule is out. Dollar figures use about 1,330 KRW = 1 USD (October 2026).

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Does South Korea celebrate Christmas?

Yes — South Korea celebrates Christmas more openly than most of its neighbours. Christmas Day has been a public holiday for decades, and Christianity is a major religion: in the 2015 census about 19.7% of people said they were Protestant and 7.9% Catholic, compared with 15.5% Buddhist, while just over half said they had no religion. So for some Koreans it’s a religious holiday, and for most others it’s a festive, commercial season.

You’ll notice it from mid-November, when department stores switch on their winter facades and coffee chains bring out holiday drinks. By December, central Seoul has a free Christmas market, light installations and huge trees outside hotels and malls.

How does Korea celebrate Christmas?

Korea celebrates Christmas in a few distinctive ways that differ from the Western family holiday:

Gift-giving is mostly between couples, close friends and parents with young children. Santa is part of the season for kids, and you’ll see Santa hats everywhere, but there’s no single traditional Korean Christmas meal — fried chicken, pizza and cake are common picks.

Is Christmas a holiday in Korea?

Christmas is a holiday in Korea: 25 December is one of the country’s official public holidays, so schools, banks, post offices and government offices close. Christmas Eve (24 December) is not a holiday, though many people leave work early. Unlike the West, there’s no Boxing Day; 26 December is a normal day unless it falls on a weekend.

What is open on Christmas Day in Korea?

On Christmas Day in Korea almost everything a visitor needs stays open. In 2026 it falls on a Friday, giving locals a long weekend from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 December, so treat those three days like a busy weekend.

If you’re travelling around Korea over Christmas, book trains early and avoid driving out of Seoul on the Friday morning. For the rest of the month, see our guide to Seoul in December.

What is Christmas in Seoul like?

Christmas in Seoul is about lights, markets and crowds. The main free event is the Christmas market on Gwanghwamun Square, part of the city’s winter festival — last year it ran 12–31 December 2025 in the evenings, with stalls, a big tree and a carousel. A few minutes away, Myeongdong’s department stores put on giant LED shows every night, and Lotte World Tower in Jamsil hosts a European-style market. All of this is covered in detail in our Seoul Christmas market 2026 guide and Seoul Winter Festival 2026 guide.

• Myeongdong: department-store light shows and Myeongdong Cathedral’s decorations — see our Myeongdong Christmas lights guide.
• Jamsil: the Lotte Town Christmas Market and a giant tree by Lotte World Tower — see Lotte World Christmas market.
• Cheonggyecheon and Gwanghwamun: light installations along the stream and the main city market.

Can I go to a Christmas service in English?

Yes. Myeongdong Cathedral, the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul, has long held a Sunday Mass in English at 9 a.m., and in past years it scheduled an English Mass on Christmas Day morning as well as a crowded midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Many Protestant churches in Seoul, especially in Itaewon and Yongsan, run English-language services too. Times change each year, so check the church’s own website in December and arrive early — Christmas Eve services fill up.

Christmas Day Korea: tips for visitors

To enjoy Christmas Day in Korea without the stress, plan around the crowds and the cold:

• Visit the lights on a weekday evening before 20 December if you can; Christmas Eve and the long weekend are the busiest nights.
• Book dinner on 24 and 25 December — couples reserve weeks ahead.
• Dress for about −5°C to 4°C in Seoul at night, with wind chill; our winter clothing guide is below.
• Order a Christmas cake a few days early if you want one from a popular bakery.
• Staying in Seoul? Pick a base near the lights — see where to stay in Seoul for Christmas.

Christmas Day is a public holiday in Korea. Want to know how many sleeps are left? Here is a live Christmas countdown.

FAQ

Does South Korea celebrate Christmas?
Yes. Christmas Day is a public holiday, and the season is celebrated with lights, markets, church services, cakes and dates.

Is Christmas a family holiday in Korea?
Less than in the West. Many Koreans spend it with a partner or friends; the big family holidays are Seollal and Chuseok.

Is Christmas Eve a holiday in Korea?
No, 24 December is a normal working day, but evenings are busy.

What day is Christmas 2026 in Korea?
Friday 25 December 2026, so most people have a three-day weekend from 25 to 27 December.

Are shops open on Christmas Day in Korea?
Yes. Malls, department stores, restaurants, cafés and attractions generally open; banks and public offices close.

Sources: Wikipedia – Public holidays in South Korea · Wikipedia – Religion in South Korea (2015 census) · Korea Times – Christmas Mass schedule · Mass times in English, Seoul
Photos: photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited in each caption