Christmas in Seoul 2026: Best Christmas Lights, Trees and Christmas Villages by Date

Seoul starts lighting up for Christmas in late October, weeks before the city’s official winter festival. By mid-November the big department stores have switched on their façades, trees and indoor Christmas villages, and in December the city adds lights along Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun Square. This guide to Christmas in Seoul 2026 puts the best Christmas lights, trees and Christmas villages in date order, so you know what is already on when you land and what is still to come.

Last checked: 6 November 2026. Dates come from the department stores’ announcements (reported 30 October 2026) and Seoul’s festival portal; things that haven’t been announced yet are marked as such.

When do Seoul’s Christmas lights turn on in 2026?

Not announced yet (as of 6 November): the Seoul Plaza Christmas tree lighting, the Gwanghwamun Market’s own dates, and the exact dates and tickets for the Jamsil market. We’ll add them here when they’re out.

Myeongdong: Lotte’s light garden and Shinsegae’s giant screen

Myeongdong is the heart of Seoul’s Christmas lights, and two department stores face each other across a few blocks:

• Lotte Town Dream Light Garden (from 30 October): Lotte’s main branch is wrapped in about 20,000 bulbs, with a roughly 100 m “street of light” running from Euljiro 1-ga Station to the main building and Avenuel, a 15 m heart-shaped light tree and media art at the main entrance.
• Shinsegae Square (from 6 November): Shinsegae’s main branch shows a new Christmas film on its huge media façade — this year a bear carries a wish letter on a balloon boat and completes a Christmas tree. Stand near Hoehyeon Station (Line 4) for the full view.
• Shinsegae Holiday Market (from 24 November): a small Christmas market at the main branch.

For the best viewing spots, crowd times and Myeongdong Cathedral, see our Myeongdong Christmas lights guide.

The Hyundai Seoul: ‘Christmas in New York City’

The Hyundai Seoul’s indoor Christmas village has become one of Seoul’s most visited Christmas displays. For 2026 the store has turned its 5th-floor Sounds Forest into a 1980s–90s New York street: 13 red-brick buildings up to 10 m high, billboards, neon signs and yellow taxis, plus a baby bear character called Harry. It opens on 10 November.

• Booking: the village (H Village) runs on timed reservations, and Hyundai says there is a separate reservation and waiting list for foreign visitors. Check The Hyundai Seoul’s official channels for the booking link before you go.
• Getting there: Yeouido Station (Lines 5 and 9) is the nearest; weekends are the busiest.
• Also: the same New York theme is at Hyundai’s Trade Center branch in Samseong (from 27 October) and Apgujeong main branch (from 1 November) — handy if you’re in Gangnam.

Christmas markets in and around Seoul

• Shinsegae Holiday Market: Gangnam branch (Sweet Park, from 30 October) and the Myeongdong main branch (from 24 November).
• Lotte World Mall, Jamsil: an outdoor market in mid-November; dates and tickets weren’t out when we checked — see our Lotte World Christmas market guide.
• Gwanghwamun Market: part of Seoul Winter Festa (11 December – 31 January); the market’s own dates are still to come — see our Seoul Christmas market guide.

Seoul Winter Festa: lights from 11 December

From 11 December 2026 to 31 January 2027, Seoul’s city-run Winter Festa brings light installations, a market and New Year events to Gwanghwamun Square and six other venues, including Cheonggyecheon Stream. Our Seoul Winter Festival guide has the details as they’re announced, and Seoul New Year’s Eve covers the Bosingak bell.

How to see the most Christmas lights in one evening

1. 5 p.m. – Lotte main branch: walk the light street from Euljiro 1-ga Station as it gets dark.
2. 6 p.m. – Shinsegae Square: a 10-minute walk south; watch the Christmas film loop.
3. 7 p.m. – Myeongdong Cathedral and street food (see our Myeongdong guide).
4. From 11 December: add Cheonggyecheon and Gwanghwamun Square, a 15-minute walk north.

Use Naver Map for walking routes; on 24–25 December evenings, Myeongdong is extremely crowded, so go on a weekday in early December if you can.

Tips for Christmas in Seoul

• Christmas Day is a public holiday in Korea, so shops and restaurants are busy but open — see Christmas in Korea.
• Book early: hotels near Myeongdong and Jongno fill up for 24–25 December; compare areas in where to stay in Seoul for Christmas.
• Dress warm: December evenings are often below freezing — see Seoul in December.
• In Busan? The Busan Christmas Tree Festival lights up Gwangbok-ro.

FAQ

When do Christmas lights start in Seoul in 2026?
Department stores started in late October: Lotte’s Myeongdong light garden on 30 October, Shinsegae’s Christmas film on 6 November and The Hyundai Seoul’s village on 10 November. The city’s Winter Festa runs 11 December – 31 January.

Where is the best Christmas tree in Seoul?
Lotte’s 15 m heart light tree in Myeongdong and The Hyundai Seoul’s indoor New York village are the biggest displays this year; the Seoul Plaza tree date hasn’t been announced yet.

Do I need to book The Hyundai Seoul Christmas village?
Yes — it runs on timed reservations, with a separate booking and waiting list for foreign visitors.

What are the best things to do in Seoul at Christmas?
See the Myeongdong light shows, book The Hyundai Seoul’s Christmas village, visit a holiday market, and from 11 December walk Cheonggyecheon and Gwanghwamun for Winter Festa. More ideas for the month in Seoul in December.

Are Seoul’s Christmas lights free?
Yes, the façades, light street and Winter Festa installations are free to see.

Sources: Yonhap News (30 Oct 2026) — department store Christmas 2026 plans · Seoul Festival portal — Seoul Winter Festa 2026