The end of the year is always the best time for festive spirit and celebrations. Korea is not an exception – in fact, it’s probably one of the best destinations in the world to celebrate Christmas! There are so many festivals and celebrations at this time of the year that the list goes on and on. I’ll mention the top 5 places around Korea to visit during the festive season.
1. Lotte World: Miracle Winter
Seoul is probably the most famous place to visit during the Christmas season. They have a lot of beautiful decorations at the malls and around the city
- Seoul
- 19/11/2022 – 31/12/2022
- 240, Olympic -ro, Songpa-gu Seoul
Lotte world is a famous amusement park in Seoul that everyone visits to have an adrenaline fun time on the rollercoasters and restaurants. Lotte itself is a well-known brand in Korea with different branches such as Lotte Hotel, food products, department stores, etc. During the Christmas season, Lotte World holds a Christmas light festival named, “Miracle Winter: Lights up” until the 31st of December. In addition, the rides that are available at Lotte World will bring an amazing show with a variety of characters and performances throughout the evening.
Outside there is the “Snow Castle”, the enchanted castle lights up brighter than ever. Indoors there’s the “Miracle Tree” where you can take photos with Santa Big Lotty and his friends amongst the Christmas trees.
(Source: https://adventure.lotteworld.com/kor/enjoy/festival/view.do)
2. Myeongdong Shopping street
- Seoul
- Christmas period
- Lotte Department Store: 81, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Shinsegae Department Store: 63, Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Myeongdong is a city in Seoul where all the shops are located, from streetwear to skincare to restaurants, Myeongdong shopping district has it all. During the Christmas season, Myeongdong’s Lotte Department store and Shinsegae Department store goes far and beyond with captivating Christmas decorations around the mall. If you ever want to feel like you are in a wonderland, I suggest visiting Myeongdong shopping street and taking some cute Instagram pictures!
(Source: Tripadvisor)
3. Garden of Morning Calm
- Gyeonggi-do
- 9/12/2022 – 19/03/2023
- 432, Sumokwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi- do
With the size of 82 acres, the Garden of Morning Calm is known for the largest collection of herbs in Korea. There are areas named the Italian city of Venice and a French farm (Petite France). The different lights around the garden are so mesmerizing, there are 30,000 lights of all colours illuminating the place. There is a special Christmas-themed light design that is worth visiting.
4. Pocheon Herb Island Lighting Fantasia
- Gyeonggi-do
- 1/11/2022 – 31/03/2023
- 35, Cheongsin-ro 947 beon-gil, Shinbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Visit the Pocheon Herb Island Lighting Fantasia with your loved ones this Christmas. Pocheon Herb Island has various LED light designs that make the place look like a fairytale. There is also an area called “Santa’s Village” with a 300 meters long tunnel full of wish cards that you can walk through.
Visitors can also participate in hands-on programs such as herbal candle and soap making, pressed herbal flower arts and crafts, lavender pillow crafting, and much more. I suggest if you want to have a fully packed day trip, you should visit the Pocheon Herb Island Illuminating Festival along with the nearby attractions by tour.
5. Siheung Premium Outlets Christmas Market
- Gyeonggi-do
- Christmas season
- 699 Seohaean-ro, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do
Siheung Premium Outlets can be characterised as a “multi-shopping resort,” providing a shopping experience where visitors can break away from the busy city life. The store’s exquisite exterior is designed to resemble Cadaqués, a town located by the northeastern sea in Spain. The mall offers several convenient facilities, including entertainment and experience programs that visitors can enjoy while shopping.
Shinsegae Simon Siheung Premium Outlets is reachable by five major expressways, making the mall extremely accessible, and is filled with a total of 220 brand stores selling a variety of goods from world-famous designer brands such as Armani, Coach, Michael Kors, and Hugo Boss to popular sportswear brands like Nike, Adidas, New Balance and Under Armour, which spans over an area of 1,150㎡, making it the largest Under Armour store in Korea. The mall also consists of the eco-friendly Central Garden; Pet Park, where visitors can walk their pets; Sky Garden, where families and friends can enjoy a picnic.
