Busan's Winter Light Show: 4 Magical Festivals to Visit Now

Winter in Busan is absolutely enchanting, transforming the city’s urban centers, beaches, and cultural hubs into dazzling landscapes of light. If you are looking to fully immerse yourself in the year-end festive spirit, these four light festivals are the perfect addition to your travel itinerary.

1. Christmas Village Busan 2025

This is the quintessential Christmas experience in Busan, held at the impressive Busan Cinema Center.

• Location: Busan Cinema Center, 120 Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu.
• Dates: November 27 – December 25, 2025.
• Highlights: The entire festival ground becomes one giant photo zone with a massive Christmas tree and spectacular lighting displays. Catch the "Snowing Show" that happens every hour and the lively Santa Parade.

• Global Gastronomy: The food selection is a major draw, featuring everything from global Christmas culinary delights to specialties from local Busan eateries.
• Gift Market: Shop for unique souvenirs, fashion items, and handmade crafts from local artists and brands—perfect for finding a special gift or memento.

2. Haeundae Light Festival 2025: Stellar Haeundae

Haeundae's iconic beach shines under the theme “STELLAR HAEUNDAE: The Wave of Stars Rolls In.”

• Location: Haeundae Beach and Gunam-ro area.
• Dates: November 29, 2025 – January 18, 2026.
• Highlights: This is Busan's representative winter night festival, completely free to view. The beach and surrounding streets are adorned with light installations and media art themed around starlight, flowing light, and ocean waves.
• Coastal Glamour: The magic lies in the backdrop—the beautiful winter ocean provides a dramatic setting for the artistic light displays. Strolling along the beach becomes a moving art experience.

Travel Tips for Haeundae:

• Expect crowds, especially on weekends and near the end of the year. Public transportation is highly recommended.
• The beach area can feel much colder due to the wind chill, so dress warmer than usual.

3. Gwangbok-ro Winter Light Tree Festival

Located in the heart of Busan's original downtown, this festival offers a blend of historical charm and modern K-Culture.

• Location: Gwangbok-ro and Gwangbok Jungang-ro areas.
• Dates: December 5, 2025 – February 22, 2026.
• Time: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM Daily.

• Theme: “K-Nuri (From Gwangbok to the World)” This year's theme focuses on Korean identity, incorporating traditional Korean patterns, ceramics, and designs into the lighting and sculptures. It is a fantastic opportunity for foreign visitors to see a modern interpretation of Korean heritage.
• Atmosphere: The spectacular main tree is the centerpiece, and the entire street is flooded with lights, creating endless photo opportunities. Enjoy live busking performances and citizen-participation lighting events on weekends.

4. Village de Ananti Tree Village

Escape the city to the luxurious and serene coastal resort area of Gijang for a sophisticated light display.

• Location: Ananti Village Plaza, 267-7 Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-eup.
• Highlights: The outdoor plaza at Village de Ananti is transformed into a forest of Christmas trees and atmospheric lighting. It is open for everyone to enjoy the warm, opulent winter setting by the sea.

• Korean Aesthetic: The design is intentionally distinct from typical Western Christmas decorations. Trees are adorned with traditional Korean objects like beoseon (traditional socks), porcelain, gat (hats), and tassel ornaments, creating a subtle yet deeply aesthetic Korean Christmas mood.
• Snow Event: The true highlight is the scheduled artificial snowing event. Catch the times when artificial snow flutters through the trees, enhancing the winter magic and making for perfect photos. Check the official website for the exact schedule.

Reference: VisitBusan