R.C If you are planning a trip to Korea in winter or simply love seeing how cities transform when the sun goes down, get ready. Even though temperatures drop, the peninsula warms up with millions of LED lights and traditional lanterns that turn the darkness into fairytale settings.
Winter in Korea is not just snow and skiing; it is the golden season of nighttime illuminations. Here we bring you the definitive guide to the festivals that are breaking records this year and that you absolutely must visit.
1. The King of the Night of Winter in Korea: Seoul Lantern Festival 🏮
This is the winter in Korea event that many tourists, and even Seoul residents, are talking about. If you are in the city right now, you are in luck, because due to its massive success, it has been extended!
- What is it? It is the most iconic light festival in the city center. It transforms Cheonggyecheon Stream into a glowing 1.1-kilometer corridor. This year, under the theme “My Light, Our Dream, Seoul’s Magic,” it has blended the tradition of hanji paper lanterns with immersive digital art.
- The Festival Phenomenon in its 2025-2026 edition: It has been so popular that it broke records with 2.77 million visitors in its first 20 days (a 60% increase from the previous year). Because of this, authorities decided to extend it until January 18, 2026.
- What will you see?
- Although some collaborative installations (like the Pokémon ones) have already been removed, the extension brings a massive new work titled “Magical Lights Walking Through Seoul.”
- The atmosphere is perfect for walking bundled up with a coffee in hand while watching the stream’s water reflect the city lights.
- 📍 Where: Cheonggyecheon Stream (From Cheonggye Plaza to Samil Bridge).
- ⏰ Hours: Daily from 18:00 to 23:00 (Note! Closed on Monday, January 5 for maintenance, reopens Tuesday).
- 💰 Price: Free!
2. An Enchanted Forest: The Garden of Morning Calm (Lighting Festival) ✨
If you want to escape the city bustle, explore other territories of Korea in winter, and step into a fantasy movie, you have to go to Gapyeong.
- What is it? The Osaek Starlight Garden Festival, the first light festival in Korea to combine nature with symmetrical illumination. The Garden of Morning Calm is beautiful in spring, but in winter it turns into the “Lighting Festival.” It is the largest light festival in a botanical garden in Korea. They literally cover every tree, plant, and pathway with themed colorful lights.
- The Vibe: It is super romantic and perfect for photos. They have pink light tunnels, glowing animals, and fields that look covered in blue fairy dust, making this event a must if you are in Korea this winter.
- 📍 Where: Gapyeong (an hour and a half from Seoul by public transport or tour).
- ⏰ When: It generally lasts until mid-March. The lights turn on at sunset (around 17:00) until 21:00 (Saturdays until 23:00).
- Status: ACTIVE until March 15, 2026.
3. The Jewel of the South: Haeundae Light Festival (Busan) 🌊
For those traveling to the south of Korea in winter, the mandatory stop is Busan. The famous Haeundae Beach festival continues to shine under the theme “Stellar Haeundae.”
- Status: ACTIVE until January 18, 2026.
- Theme 2026: “Stellar Haeundae.”
- The Experience: Imagine walking on the sand of Korea’s most famous beach, but stepping on a “sea” of blue lights projected onto the sand. Besides the beach, Gunam-ro Street fills with interactive light structures. It is much more modern and vibrant than traditional festivals.
- Location: Haeundae Beach, Busan.
- Cost: Free.
4. Fun and Magic: Lotte World & Everland 🎢
If you are looking for adrenaline mixed with lights during your vacations in winter in Korea, amusement parks are the answer.
- Lotte World (Seoul): Its outdoor Magic Castle is the protagonist of the famous show “Magic Castle Lights Up.” At this time of year, the park bets on a “Winter Fantasy” aesthetic. It is an impressive 3D mapping show that transforms the structure with projections of ice, crystals, and galaxies, creating a futuristic and magical atmosphere every night.
- Everland (Yongin): Its “Romantic Illumination” zone and the “Four Seasons” garden are spectacular, with gigantic decorations and golden trees that keep the festive spirit alive throughout the winter.
📝 Survival Tips for Winter in Korea to Enjoy the Light Festivals
- The Cold of Winter in Korea is Real: Do not underestimate the Korean night. You will be walking outdoors. Use thermal layers, gloves (touchscreen compatible!), and stick some hot packs in your pockets.
- Extra Battery: The cold drains cell phone batteries faster, and you will want to take a thousand photos. Bring a power bank.
- Extended Hours: As we saw with the Seoul Festival, many have extended their closing time until 23:00 so office workers can go after work. Take advantage of the later hours to avoid the 19:00 crowds!
- Transport: The subway is your best friend. For Cheonggyecheon, Gwanghwamun (Line 5) or City Hall (Line 1/2) stations drop you right at the entrance.
Which of these festivals would you like to visit? If you are in Korea this winter, run to the Light Festival you liked the most and tell us if the magic caught you!
You can also read What to see in Gyeongju? The Ultimate Guide to South Korea’s “Houseless Museum”
🧐 FAQs: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Light Festivals in Winter in Korea
Here we answer the most common questions so you don’t get lost (or frozen) while trying to see all the light festivals of Korea in winter.
1. Are these festivals free or is there an entrance fee? It depends on the festival.
- Seoul Lantern Festival: It is totally free. Being in a public space (Cheonggyecheon Stream), you can walk freely through the area.
- Haeundae Light Festival: Free.
- Garden of Morning Calm (Gapyeong): This one does have an entrance fee (usually around 11,000 won for adults), as it is a private arboretum and maintaining the lights is costly.
- Theme Parks (Lotte/Everland): Require general park admission (approx. 62,000 KRW daily pass, but there are always 30-40% discounts for foreigners on sites like Klook or Trazy).
2. Why are they celebrated mainly in winter in Korea if it is so cold?
For two main reasons. First, practicality: in winter in Korea it gets dark very early (around 5:30 PM), allowing lights to be enjoyed for more hours. Second, it is a tourism strategy: as mentioned by the Seoul Tourism Organization, these events seek to boost “night tourism” and offer attractions to visitors during a season where daytime outdoor activities are limited by the weather.
3. How do I easily get to the Seoul Lantern Festival by public transport?
It is the most accessible of all. The festival starts at Cheonggye Plaza.
- Subway: The closest station is Gwanghwamun (Line 5, Exit 5). You can also walk from City Hall station (Line 1 and 2, Exit 4). It is the heart of the city, impossible to miss!
4. Are they open every day of the week?
Watch out for this! Although they generally open daily, the extension of the Seoul Lantern Festival has an exception: it will remain closed on Mondays (specifically the closure for maintenance to reorganize installations was mentioned). The rest of the week, lights are on from 18:00 to 23:00 hours. The Garden of Morning Calm, on the other hand, usually opens every day without holidays during the festival.
5. What exactly are the “Hanji” lanterns mentioned by the festival?
They are the soul of the event. Hanji is traditional Korean paper handmade from mulberry bark. It is very durable and has a beautiful texture. When used in lanterns, it diffuses light in a very soft and warm way, creating that “magical” atmosphere that blends the ancient with the modern amidst Seoul’s skyscrapers.
6. How do I get to the “Garden of Morning Calm” if I don’t have a car?
It is one of the most frequent questions from tourists. The easiest way is to take the ITX-Cheongchun train or the subway to Cheongpyeong station. From there, you must take the Gapyeong City Tour Bus (which connects tourist spots) or a local taxi that will take you to the garden entrance. The total trip from Seoul takes about an hour and a half to two hours.
7. Can you eat inside the festivals?
At the Seoul Lantern Festival, being in the center, you are surrounded by street food stalls and night markets that usually set up in the plaza or nearby streets (like in the Jongno area). It is tradition to buy an eomuk (fish cake in hot broth) or a hotteok (sweet pancake) to warm your body while walking and watching the lights. It is part of the full experience!
8. Are these festivals accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?
- Seoul Lantern Festival: Yes, Cheonggyecheon Stream has access ramps at specific points (like Cheonggye Plaza), although it can be very crowded.
- Haeundae: Yes, Gunam-ro Street is flat and accessible.
- Garden of Morning Calm: It is more difficult. Being on a mountain, there are steep and dirt paths that can be complicated with ice or mud.
9. What happened to the Boseong lights this year?
The tea plantation festival continues to have a large following, but since it has had irregular dates post-pandemic and is often confirmed at the last minute or canceled, we have not included it in our guide. However, we do recommend checking the official event page if you plan to travel to Korea in winter.
10. Are they canceled due to rain or snow?
Light snow usually makes them prettier, but heavy rain can cancel electric events like Lotte World’s mapping or shut down sections of the Garden of Morning Calm for safety. Always check the official Instagram of each place before heading out if the weather is bad.
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¡Qué genial! Siempre he querido visitar Corea en invierno para ver estos festivales de luz, ¡suena mágico!
Corea en invierno tiene mucho para conocer, hay que viajar una vez en cada estación!!!