Shall We Enjoy the Year-End Together? December Seoul Cultural Events Calendar

Only about a month is left of this year. As the weather turns colder, we are introducing a lineup of December cultural events in Seoul packed with sights to see, things to do, and healing experiences.

From the Seoul Light & Lantern Festivals brightening Gwanghwamun and Cheonggyecheon, to the downtown skating rink, Christmas markets, the Bell-Ringing Ceremony, and even parks and botanical gardens that stay green through the winter—enjoy the best of Seoul’s culture this December!

🌟 So Dazzling! The Ultimate Light Festivals

Seoul Light Gwanghwamun

• Dates: Dec. 12, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026.
• Location: Gwanghwamun & Gwanghwamun Square (North Side)

Seoul Light Gwanghwamun is Seoul's representative light festival featuring media art and cultural arts content enjoyed by citizens. The spectacular media facade show created against the backdrop of Gwanghwamun Gate is a masterpiece. This year, the festival is held under the theme "Gwanghwa, Breathing with Light." Along with the show, there will be an interactive program where citizens can beat a grand drum (Daebuk) to shoot lasers.

• More Info: Seoul Light Gwanghwamun Website

Seoul Light DDP

• Dates: Dec. 18 – Dec. 31, 2025.
• Location: DDP Front & Surrounding Area

The world-class media art festival "Seoul Light DDP" opens at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. This edition will showcase the world's largest atypical media facade in collaboration with popular domestic and international characters like Haechi and LINE Friends. Additionally, a "Christmas Town" linked with permanent night lighting will be created, and diverse events like "HIP Santa," who leaves gift boxes throughout the DDP, will be held.

• More Info: DDP Website

Seoul Lantern Festival

• Dates: Dec. 12, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026.
• Location: Cheonggyecheon Stream & Uicheon Stream Areas

Celebrating its 17th anniversary, the "Seoul Lantern Festival" will be held along Cheonggyecheon under the theme "My Light, Our Dream, Seoul's Magic." Light sculptures across four themes and experimental media art will decorate the waterway, starting from the "Palma" (Eight Horses) sculpture at Cheonggye Plaza, passing Samilgyo Bridge, to the Ogansumun near DDP. This year, the festival expands to Uicheon Stream, featuring a special exhibition of the "Royal Procession" lantern, which received the most love from visitors last year.

• More Info: Seoul Lantern Festival Website

⛸️ You Know It, Right? It’s the Place for Winter!

Seoul Plaza Skating Rink

• Dates: Dec. 19, 2025 – Feb. 8, 2026.
• Location: Seoul Plaza

Seoul Plaza will operate its skating rink for 52 days under the theme "Winter Ring (A Festival Ring Blooming Over the City)." Major dates such as the opening ceremony, Christmas, and New Year's Eve will feature events like figure skating performances, carol busking, and DJ parties to heighten the festive atmosphere. A "Local Market Zone" (Seoro Market) will also be set up nearby, offering special regional agricultural products.

• More Info: Seoul Plaza Skating Rink Website

Gwanghwamun Market

• Dates: Dec. 12 – Dec. 31, 2025.
• Location: Gwanghwamun Square

Gwanghwamun Market opens as a European-style Christmas market with a "Santa Village" concept. Notably, a new "Rudolph Carousel" has been installed to bring joy to visitors of all ages. Additionally, a "Haechi Zone" offering a peek into the room of Seoul’s mascot, Haechi, will be open. A collaboration with global toy company LEGO will also feature sculptures expressing "SEOUL MY SOUL" and "Haechi" in Lego bricks.

• More Info: Gwanghwamun Market Website

🤖 Tech & Future

AI Talent Festival Week

• Dates: Dec. 1 – Dec. 5, 2025.
• Location: DDP & Youth Academy Campuses

The "2025 AI Talent Festival Week" will be held from Dec. 1st to 5th. This is Seoul's largest AI talent event, directly connecting AI education, technology, and jobs. Various programs including an AI Hackathon, the Youth Academy 2.0 Vision Proclamation, and Regional Open Campuses will take place. On Dec. 4th and 5th, five campuses (Gangnam, Yangcheon, Dongjak, Dongdaemun, Seocho) will open to the public, offering programs for everyone from AI beginners to youths looking to strengthen practical skills.

• More Info: AI Talent Festival Week Website

🔔 Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026

New Year's Eve Bell-Ringing Ceremony

• Dates: Dec. 31, 2025 – Jan. 1, 2026.
• Location: Bosingak Area

The "New Year's Eve Bell-Ringing Ceremony" takes place at Bosingak on December 31st. This year’s concept is "You Are the Light." A media facade mapping on the Bosingak tiles will visualize the sound of the bell, showing the building resonating with the ringing. Pre-ceremony performances will include a celebration stage by the winners of the "K-Performance Contest" and an "LED Dance Performance" symbolizing the upcoming Year of the Red Horse.

• More Info: Bell-Ringing Ceremony Info Page

SeoulCon (SEOULCon)

• Dates: Dec. 29, 2025 – Jan. 1, 2026.
• Location: DDP

SeoulCon is an expo featuring 3,567 teams of global influencers from 56 countries. Over 30 diverse events will be held, including the "APAN Star Awards" and "World K-Pop Festival," showcasing the global influence of K-Content.

• More Info: SeoulCon Website

🌿 Haechi’s Winter Garden Journey: Our Winter is Green

Haechi's Winter Garden Journey

• Dates: Dec. 3, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026.
• Location: Major Parks in Seoul

From Dec. 3rd to Jan. 31st, major parks in Seoul (Seoul Forest, Namsan Park, Seoul Botanic Park, World Cup Park, North Seoul Dream Forest, etc.) will host "2025 Haechi's Winter Garden Journey" linked with winter programs. Participants in designated park programs can receive various keyrings featuring Haechi and friends. Aside from program participation, you can also receive keyrings through SNS verification missions (note: supplies may run out early).

• More Info: Parks of Seoul Website.

Embracing Botanical Garden

• Dates: Dec. 3 – Dec. 14, 2025 (Closed Mondays).
• Location: Seoul Botanic Park

Seoul Botanic Park presents the emotional healing exhibition <At the End of the Year, Comfort from Plants: 'Embracing Botanical Garden'> from Dec. 3rd to 14th.

• Main Hall (B1): "Sight: Garden of Light" – Experience visual stability through the soft textures and colors of paper.
• Plant Culture Center (1F): "Hearing: Garden of Books" – Spend time thinking and reading while listening to the sounds of nature.
• Gardener's Room (Mediterranean Pavilion): "Room of a Writer Who Loved Gardens" exhibition and the official launch of the "Scent of Seoul Botanic Park."

Source: Seoul Newsletter