From Seoul Plaza to Museums and Hotels: Places Where Christmas Has Already Arrived!

"Just looking at the Christmas tree makes me feel the excitement of the year-end."
"Seeing the tree at Seoul Plaza, I can really feel that Christmas is coming!"

As the end of the year approaches, the air in Seoul fills with a chill breeze and the scent of soft lighting. The area around Seoul Plaza is already busy preparing for the skating rink, a winter hotspot. Crowds are already tracing slow curves around the plaza, and the moment the tree lights up, passersby naturally lift their heads and pull out their smartphones.

From the classic tree at Seoul Plaza to the sensory decorations in hotel lobbies, cultural content in museums, and the media facades embroidering department store walls, the city center is transforming into a year-end festival ground, eagerly awaiting Christmas.

Walking the streets of Seoul at this time of year, you might find yourself thinking, "Is there any other city as beautiful as this?" Let’s take a walk together through the scenery of an "Early Christmas," shining with unique charms across downtown Seoul.

The Most Classic Year-End Scene: Enjoy the Tree Here!

Seoul Plaza & Seoul Museum of Art

Every winter, a massive Christmas Tree stands tall in Seoul Plaza. This year’s tree is adorned with classic decorations and warm lighting, making it easy for citizens to approach and snap a commemorative photo. With preparations for the skating rink in full swing, the plaza is filled with a quiet excitement. Once night falls, the lighting effects truly begin, allowing you to enjoy the splendor of the tree.

Just a short walk away at the Seoul Museum of Art (Seosomun Main Branch), you can admire a 5-meter tall real Christmas tree. Decorated in gold tones, this tree stands in the museum's front yard, serving as a perfect photo zone for visitors. On November 28th, a "Museum Night with the Tree" was held, heightening the festive mood with magic shows and classical performances.

If You Want to Feel Christmas Early: Hotel Lobbies

The Plaza Hotel Seoul If you want a taste of Christmas indoors, hotel lobbies are the place to be. Located right across from Seoul Plaza, The Plaza Hotel Seoul features an elegant tree decorated with cute teddy bears. Known for creating sensory trees every season, this year they chose a purple theme, showcasing the restrained beauty unique to high-end hotels. The teddy bears used in the decoration are even available for purchase. The tree in the center of the lobby naturally frames your photos, making it a great spot for anyone to visit and capture the moment.

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is also showing off a spectacular Christmas. Famous for having the most dramatic decorations every year, their main floral display area is enhanced with multiple large trees and ornaments, creating a luxurious and festival-like atmosphere. The high ceilings of the lobby add to the grandeur. Trees and wreaths are placed throughout the hotel, making it highly popular with tourists and visitors.

Media Art & Pop-up Wonders

Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch While the Media Facade on the exterior of Shinsegae Department Store has long been a staple of the city's night view, this year you should also check out the "The Heritage: Christmas Wonderland" Pop-up. Located next to the main building, this concept space sells brand collaboration goods and features immersive photo zones. It offers a unique experience available only during the Christmas season. Even if you don't buy anything, the well-curated Christmas objects and photo angles make it worth a visit.

Of course, the massive Media Facade remains one of the most dazzling night spots of the season. High-resolution animations, lighting patterns, and winter-themed videos turn the building's exterior into a giant screen. Watching it, the entire city feels like a stage. This year’s theme is "A Magical World Connecting Time." The show runs daily from 5:00 PM to midnight.

• Tip: For the best view, watch from the roadside across the street (safety first!).

"Veselé Vánoce!" Meeting a Czech Christmas

Seoul Museum of History The Seoul Museum of History is hosting a special exhibition, "Veselé Vánoce!", introducing traditional Czech year-end culture. Running from November 25, 2025, to January 18, 2026, this exhibition explores the production process of Christmas decorations and workshop culture through Czech glass crafts.

Czech glass Christmas ornaments are particularly meaningful as they were inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020 and 2023. Visitors can admire the warm colors and unique designs of Czech ornaments. It is a charming exhibition for both adults and children to experience a different cultural take on the holidays.

Exhibition Info: "Veselé Vánoce!"

• Dates: Nov. 25, 2025 – Jan. 18, 2026  
• Location: Seoul Museum of History (55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul).  
• Transport: Line 5 Gwanghwamun Station (Exit 7/8, 7-min walk) or Seodaemun Station (Exit 4, 8-min walk).  
• Hours: Tue-Fri 09:00–18:00 / Sat 09:00–21:00.  
• Closed: Mondays, January 1st

A City Telling a Winter Story

Seoul's downtown is filled with Christmas spirit in different ways across plazas, hotels, museums, and department stores. Each space has its own character: the Plaza offers familiarity in daily life, hotels offer luxurious spatial aesthetics, museums expand meaning through culture, and department stores reimagine Christmas through technology.

Exploring Christmas in the city center is more than just an outing; it is a process of experiencing the culture and beauty the city proposes anew each season. This year, Seoul continues to create a colorful and beautiful winter worth looking forward to.

Source: Seoul Newsletter