Embrace Happiness During the Year-End Season with Seoul's Gleaming Winter Festivals

Experience an enchanting winter festival in Seoul, filled with lights. The “Seoul Winter Festa (Seoul WINTA) 2023,” initiated on December 15, is underway at seven prominent locations across Seoul. The city will be adorned with a dazzling array of lights and decorations, casting a vibrant glow until January 21 of the following year.

Gwanghwamun Square hosts the “Seoul Light” media art exhibition, running concurrently with the “Seoul Lantern Festival” and the “Gwanghwamun Square Market.” At Seoul Light, visitors have the opportunity to appreciate internationally acclaimed media artworks presented on a grand media façade. The longstanding Seoul Lantern Festival, symbolizing the city’s noteworthy luminous festivities, unfolds in Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and Seoul Plaza, providing a seamless fusion of Korean traditional and modern elements.

The “2023 Light Festa in Songhyeon” is happening at “Songhyeon Green Square,” making a return to the citizens after 110 years. With the theme of “Exploring the Enchanted Light Garden and Encountering the Supernatural,” this festival in the city center provides a unique experience, celebrating the fusion of light and nature.

The globally acclaimed architectural marvel, DDP, has undergone a massive transformation into an expansive canvas. On December 31, witness a stunning display of lights at DDP, including a dazzling countdown show complemented by breathtaking fireworks.

As we wrap up 2023, be sure not to miss the “Traditional Bell Ringing Ceremony & Midnight Sun” event, promising to brighten the holiday festivities. The “Traditional Bell Ringing Ceremony” unfolds in the vicinity of Jonggak Station and City Hall Station, encompassing Bosingak and Sejong-daero, while the “Midnight Sun” event takes place at Bosingak, DDP, and Gwanghwamun Square. Locals of Seoul and visitors from both home and abroad are invited to partake in the global celebration, “Seoul WINTA 2023,” ensuring a joyful conclusion to the year with cherished memories. For more information about “Seoul WINTA 2023,” please refer to the VisitSeoul website.

Welcoming 2024 from the Observatories in Seoul on New Year's Eve

A prime location to begin the new year is unquestionably an observatory. Spend a moment enjoying the stunning panoramic views of Seoul spread out before you, taking the opportunity to express your hopes for the coming year. VisitSeoul presents the city's remarkable observation spots, ideal for concluding the previous year with a range of experiences and ushering in a promising new year.

“N Seoul Tower” stands as a prominent observation spot in Seoul, providing a distinct and breathtaking view of the cityscape, setting it apart from the views of the city center.

Situated in the renowned Lotte World Tower, the “Seoul Sky Observatory” is not only a landmark in Seoul but also stands as the city's highest observation deck. Going beyond providing a panoramic view, this site is brimming with diverse attractions, making it a perfect venue for a unique New Year's celebration.

Certain spots allow you to appreciate the panoramic beauty of Seoul not from the glass windows of towering buildings but immersed in nature itself. “Bugak Palgakjeong Pavilion” is a serene and majestic location where you can relish the peaceful landscape of Seoul. Well-known for its extensive views, spanning from Bukhansan Mountain to N Seoul Tower and even Lotte World, this place is equally celebrated for a captivating night scenery.

Formerly the tallest building in Seoul, “63 Square” has evolved into a diverse cultural hub where you can appreciate both panoramic views and artistic works simultaneously. For more details about observatories in Seoul, please visit the VisitSeoul website.