Myeongdong Christmas Lights 2026: Shinsegae Media Facade, Lotte’s New Screen and Cathedral

The Myeongdong Christmas lights are the most spectacular in Seoul. Two department stores face each other across a busy junction and turn their entire facades into giant LED screens every winter, while Myeongdong Cathedral up the hill adds trees and a nativity scene. It’s free, it’s on every evening from November to January, and it’s a 10-minute walk from end to end. Here’s what to see, when to go and a short walking route.

Last checked: 2 November 2026. 2026 show dates haven’t been announced (as of 2 November 2026); we use last year’s (2025) details and will update. Dollar figures use about 1,330 KRW = 1 USD (October 2026).

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What is the Shinsegae media facade?

The Shinsegae media facade is a huge LED screen wrapped around the front of Shinsegae Department Store’s main store, opposite the Bank of Korea museum. For Christmas 2025 it was expanded to about 1,354 square metres — larger than three basketball courts — and showed a roughly three-minute animated story that ended in golden fireworks, with a soundtrack recorded by the Czech Philharmonic. Shinsegae says more than a million people came to see the previous year’s show. Watch from the fountain plaza in front of the store or from across the road by the Seoul Central Post Office; the animation uses a 3D effect that works best from a little distance, straight in front.

What’s new at Lotte Department Store?

Lotte Department Store’s main store, a block away, is adding its own giant screen for 2026. In July 2026 Lotte announced “Lotte Town Light”, a media facade covering the whole exterior of its Young Plaza building — about 1,614 square metres, slightly larger than Shinsegae’s — which is due to start operating in December 2026, with a teaser in November. That means for the first time two giant LED shows will face visitors within a few minutes’ walk. We’ll add show times once Lotte publishes them.

What does Myeongdong Cathedral look like at Christmas?

At Christmas, Myeongdong Cathedral — Korea’s first Gothic-style church, completed in 1898 — decorates its forecourt with lit Christmas trees, and the red-brick building is floodlit in the evening. It’s a calmer contrast to the department stores and only about 5 minutes’ walk uphill from Myeongdong Station. Visitors can walk through the grounds; please keep quiet during services, and expect queues for the midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

Is there a Christmas market in Myeongdong?

There isn’t a big official Myeongdong Christmas market; instead, the main shopping street fills with street-food stalls and seasonal shop displays every evening. For a real market with wooden stalls, walk about 15 minutes north to the Gwanghwamun Christmas market (12–31 December last year) or take the subway to the Lotte Town market in Jamsil. Myeongdong is still great for winter snacks — see Myeongdong street food and Korean winter street food.

Where else can I see Seoul Christmas lights?

For other Seoul Christmas lights, combine Myeongdong with one or two of these:

Our Seoul Winter Festival 2026 guide has the city’s full programme.

A simple Myeongdong Christmas lights walk

• 6:00 p.m. — Start at Hoehyeon Station and watch the Shinsegae show from the fountain plaza or across the road (each loop is a few minutes).
• 6:30 p.m. — Walk about 5 minutes to Lotte Department Store’s main store for the new Young Plaza facade (from December 2026).
• 7:00 p.m. — Wander up the main Myeongdong shopping street for street food.
• 7:45 p.m. — End at Myeongdong Cathedral for the lit trees, then Myeongdong Station (Line 4).

On New Year’s Eve 2025, Jung-gu district held its first big countdown in front of Shinsegae, with a media facade show and a countdown across 14 screens; if it returns, the area will be packed that night — see Seoul New Year’s Eve.

Tips for seeing the lights

• Go on a weekday between late November and 20 December for the smallest crowds.
• Follow police directions near the junction; crossings can be closed at peak times.
• Stand back rather than at the foot of the building — the 3D effect works best from a distance.
• Wear warm layers; you’ll stand still outside for a while.
• Stay nearby to walk back after dark: see hotels in Myeongdong.

FAQ

When do the Myeongdong Christmas lights start?
Last year Shinsegae’s show began on 7 November 2025. Lotte’s new facade is due in December 2026.

What time is the Shinsegae light show?
Last season it ran every evening from 5 p.m. to midnight, repeating every few minutes.

Is it free?
Yes, all the facades and the cathedral decorations are free to see from the street.

Which subway station is best?
Hoehyeon (Line 4) for Shinsegae, Euljiro 1-ga (Line 2) for Lotte, Myeongdong (Line 4) for the cathedral.

Is Myeongdong crowded at Christmas?
Very, on 24–25 December and weekends. Weekday evenings earlier in December are much easier.

Sources: Moodie Davitt Report – Shinsegae 2025 media facade · Korea JoongAng Daily – Lotte Town Light (July 2026) · Seoul Shinmun – Myeongdong countdown 2025 · Wikipedia – Myeongdong Cathedral
Photos: photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited in each caption