Things to Do in Seoul During Winter

Seoul is a bustling metropolis and one of the world’s most popular cities. The city experiences mild to warm summers and snowy, freezing winters, making it the perfect place to enjoy the cold snap with a variety of activities. 

Like many cities, Seoul transforms into a winter wonderland when the temperatures drop, with winter sports, festivals, and events taking place across the city in the lead up to the festive period. 

Lotte World

Lotte World, South Korea’s answer to Disney World, is a magical and intriguing place all year round, but truly comes alive during the winter. Featuring a castle and hosting parades, food stalls, Christmas-themed activities, rides, and other festivities, it’s the perfect place to escape the cold. To no surprise, Lotte World is beloved among locals and frequent visitors alike.

The theme park hosts a large indoor area that contains an ice rink, shopping malls, and a cinema, among other entertainment outlets. The outdoor part is known as ‘Magic Island’, and also features amusement rides.

Seoul Winter Festa

The largest winter festival in the city, Seoul Winter Festa, is a lively and large-scale celebration of light, with Seoul’s Lantern Festival kickstarting the festivities around the city. The wider Festa includes Korean street food and market stalls, and a bustling citywide celebration across 24 days from December to January. 

 During the Festa, you can try your hand at crafts and keyring making, sample some delicious Korean food and snacks, walk through the light displays, or simply sit and soak up the buzzing atmosphere. Seoul’s annual Winter Festa is a much-anticipated highlight of the winter calendar, nd has become a hallmark of Seoul’s entertainment scene. 

Seoul Lantern Festival

A sub-festival of the Winter Festa, the Lantern Festival is perhaps the best-loved of its kind in the city. Here, you can see hundreds, if not thousands, of themed lanterns and light displays that set the city alight across a varying number of days between December and January. It’s truly a spectacular showcase during the winter months. 

The lanterns are spread out across the Cheonggyecheon Stream area of the city, and the festival is a great way to understand and learn about the city and country’s history and culture, which the lights represent in various ways.

Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace

Formerly a royal residence, this palace is now the most significant and easily recognisable building in the city, thanks to its cultural and historic significance. During the winter, the roof is scattered with snow, making it seem all the more magical and picturesque. It’s a perfect sightseeing spot, and a place to come and enjoy a peaceful walk or explore the inside and its surroundings, which feature ceremonies and events year-round.

 The palace also hosts a variety of wintertime activities and performances during the period from December to the New Year. Truly the cultural heart and soul of Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace can’t be missed out on being featured on your Seoul itinerary.

Seoul Plaza Ice Rink

 While Ice skating is enjoyed year-round, there’s something particularly magical about wrapping up warm and gliding across an outdoor rink as festive spirit surrounds you. The Seoul Plaza Ice Rink is one of the city’s most beloved winter hotspots, coming alive once again every winter to provide ample entertainment to the masses. 

 If you’re not very good at skating, don’t worry, as the complex offers ice rinks with varying degrees of difficulty. A perfect activity for the whole family, and for solo travellers too. There’s no better way to celebrate winter and the festive period than getting your skates on and gliding across the ice. 

Seoul Forest Walk

Seoul Forest is an idyllic location come rain or shine, but it’s especially magical and beautiful in the winter when the snow glistens on the trees. Already a popular walking spot, why not consider taking a stroll through the forest when it’s snowy and living out your fairytale dreams? In winter, the cherry blossoms are bare, the ponds are frozen over, and the forest is blissfully quiet, making it the perfect escape from Seoul’s downtown buzz. 

 Enjoy this natural winter wonderland in your own way, whether that’s walking, admiring, or photographing. One of the only attractions on our list that is free to enter, it’s an ideal choice for those on a tight budget.

Sledding Rink

Another popular winter sport is sledding, and at Seoul’s sledding rink, you can experience this activity all day long. Interestingly, the site is a large swimming pool in the warmer months, but freezes over and becomes a sledding and winter-sport paradise during the cold snap. 

Located in Yeouido Park, this winter playground is perfect for beginners in winter sports, and is fun for family and friends. If you’re looking for something thrilling and unique to do during your winter trip to Seoul, but that isn’t too intense or difficult, then sledding is the perfect choice. For an added touch of excitement, you can participate in sledding competitions and events.