Experience the season at these Korean Christmas markets

Life & Style

Published: 18 Dec. 2023, 08:00 Updated: 18 Dec. 2023, 09:49

Experience the season at these Korean Christmas markets

The Seoul Lantern Festival and Gwanghwamun Square Market in central Seoul kicked off on Friday and continues until Jan. 21 next year. [SEOUL TOURISM ORGANIZATION]

On Friday evening, the usually spacious Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul lit up like a Christmas tree, neatly packed with lights and booths like presents next to the fireplace.

The clock had barely ticked past 6 p.m., the official opening time, but the Seoul Lantern Festival and Gwanghwamun Square Market already had crowds of people dashing and prancing around, either taking out their phones to make posts for the Gram or opening their wallets to splurge on seasonal goods.

The two grand events are held annually at the end of each year to bid adieu to the old and welcome in the new year. Last year, they collectively saw a total of 1.3 million visitors.

And this year, the scale continues to snowball as the events now span 4 kilometers (2.4 miles), from the Cheonggyecheon stream and Gwanghwamun Plaza to Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall.

The Gwanghwamun Square Market alone has grown to be twice as large as it was when it first began last year.

“The Christmas market does remind me of home,” Molly Oldham, a teacher from England who has lived in Seoul for two years now, told the Korea JoongAng Daily at the market. “In England we have a lot of Christmas markets pretty much in every city. So I like to come for the holiday experience and maybe get some food. I’m also going to go to the one in Jamsil; I heard there’s a really nice one there.”

Christmas markets originated in Germany but have expanded throughout Europe and other countries worldwide, with Korea as no exception. Initially, Christmas in Korea was concentrated in department stores that would compete over who could have the largest and fanciest tree, but the spotlight has since subtly shifted over to Christmas markets.

Korea already has a long history when it comes to traditional markets, and the country has adopted the festive European custom while making it into its own version.

The Korea JoongAng Daily selected major Christmas markets to visit in Korea to get a taste of the authentic holiday and festive mood — or simply to do some last-minute shopping for your loved ones.

The Gwanghwamun Square Market in central Seoul kicked off on Friday and continues until Jan. 21 next year. [SHIN MIN-HEE]

Gwanghwamun Square

Through Jan. 21, 2024: In its second edition this year, the Gwanghwamun Square Market, hosted by the Seoul Tourism Organization, is back bigger, better and for longer than ever, lasting a whopping 38 days.

Local small businesses have set up 83 wooden cabin-esque booths, double that of last year, at Gwanghwamun Square, selling merchandise like handcrafts and accessories.

This year, food trucks were added to the event, parked at Sejong-ro Park, which is beside the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. They have the usual Christmas treats like mulled wine and cookies, but they also have flamboyant snacks as well, like chive chocolates.

A white dome-shaped building occupies the middle of the plaza, in the center of all the booths, at which anyone can participate in free hands-on programs like taking holiday-themed pictures in a photo booth or writing postcards. And of course, countless other photo op spots occupy the entire plaza here and there.

The entire event is divided into two “seasons”: In December, it will be covered in Christmas decorations, but in January the decorations, notably the Christmas tree, will center around New Year’s Day, featuring bokjumeoni (traditional fortune pouches).

The market, along with the Seoul Lantern Festival, is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day. No reservations are required and it is free for all to visit.

Lotte Deparment Store Jamsil's Christmas market in Songpa District, southern Seoul, continues until Christmas Day. [LOTTE DEPARTMENT STORE]

Lotte Department Store Jamsil

Through Dec. 25: Located in the grassy plaza area in front of the Lotte World Mall in Songpa District, southern Seoul, Lotte Department Store has another one of the biggest Christmas markets in Korea. After seeing booming success with an average of 10,000 people visiting daily during its run in 2022, this year, the scale has increased sixfold.

On the first weekend of December alone, the Lotte World Mall and Tower combined saw 470,000 visitors, a 30 percent increase from the first weekend of November.

Taking the form of a large glass greenhouse donned with 60,000 bright yellow lights, 40 Christmas trees and a merry-go-round, it was unmistakably inspired by a traditional European Christmas market.

Over 2,000 products, from tableware and accessories to wine and baked goods, are available for purchase. Kathe Wohlfahrt, the German Christmas decoration company, brought over its signature handmade nutcrackers, ornaments and music boxes.

Local cafe Caffeine Sinhyeonri has set up shop with mulled wine and German Nuremberg grilled sausages. But for those who prefer Korean seasonal treats, bungeoppang (fish-shaped bread with red bean filling) and eomuk (fish cake) are available as well.

Reservations can be made through the Lotte Department Store mobile app, which sells 100 tickets per day for 5,000 won ($3.70) each and allows immediate entrance upon arrival. Those without a reservation can wait in line for free entry via a QR code on site.

The Lotte Christmas market is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

Shinsegae Simon Premium Outlet's Siheung branch in Gyeonggi is holding a Christmas market every Friday to Sunday until Christmas Day. [NEWS1]

Shinsegae Simon Premium Outlets

Through Dec. 25: In its branches in Busan and in Yeoju, Paju and Siheung in Gyeonggi, Shinsegae outlets are wide open with Christmas markets every Friday to Sunday, and on Christmas day.

With the Dalecarlian horse, a traditional Swedish painted wooden horse statue, as its mascot, the plazas — referred to as “Christmas gardens” — are covered in snowflake garland, bright lights that warm up the bare trees and giant Christmas inflatables.

Wooden Swiss chalet-like stands line the pathways of each outlet, selling Christmas decorations like music boxes, snowballs and wreaths, as well as winter accessories like scarves, hats, gloves and sweaters.

There are even accessories for pets and packaged kits to make mulled wine at home.

The outlets are open from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. On Fridays to Sundays, the hours are extended to 9 p.m. No reservations are required.

The Christmas market hosted by resort complex Paradise City on Incheon’s Yeongjong Island continues until Jan. 1. [PARADISE CITY]

Paradise City

Through Jan. 1: The Christmas market hosted by the resort complex on Incheon’s Yeongjong Island is great for those who prefer to stay cozy and warm, as it’s held in its indoor plaza. Reminiscent of a North European Santa Claus village, a large cottage with a red roof and a giant Christmas tree protruding from it is placed in the center, surrounded by 27 brand booths.

Legoland Korea and local animated series Bread Barbershop collaborated on a set of Lego brick toys, while German ceramic brand Villeroy & Boch sells luxurious tableware and glassware items.

Alongside the market is a large Christmas media facade that spans 95 meters (311 feet) horizontally at the resort’s Chroma Square and Art Garden.

The market is open every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. No reservations are required.

Christmas ornaments are displayed at the Lotte Department Store Jamsil's Christmas market in Songpa District, southern Seoul. [LOTTE DEPARTMENT STORE]

Coming soon

Two additional Christmas markets are set to take place at Ttukseom Han River Park in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, and at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Jung District, central Seoul.

At Ttukseom, the 2023 Romantic Han River Christmas Market, hosted and organized by the Seoul City Government, will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every day from Dec. 22 until Dec. 31. The marketplace will also be filled with food trucks, a 9-meter tall Christmas tree, a photo booth, hands-on programs and live performances.

The hands-on programs include decorating Christmas candles, making crafts and trying on Santa’s red costume.

The DDP is also hosting a Christmas market from Dec. 21 to Dec. 30 inside the gray spaceship-like building, which will sell seasonal goods from local businesses and provide hands-on programs. Opening hours are from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

A special makgeolli (Korean rice wine) made in collaboration by Changsin Market in Jongno District, central Seoul, and illustrator Kim Jam will be sold at the market.

Both markets are free to visit and reservations will not be required.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]