Greet the New Year in Korea with dazzling lights and performances

Food & Travel

Published: 30 Dec. 2023, 09:57 Updated: 30 Dec. 2023, 10:03

Greet the New Year in Korea with dazzling lights and performances

Last year's New Year fireworks outside the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul [SEOUL ARTS CENTER]

Whether you are planning to spend New Year's Eve in the city or elsewhere in Korea, night skies across the country are expected to light up this weekend to give 2024 a bright welcome.

From drone shows and an illuminating orb to, of course, fireworks, make a glittery start to your new year at these locations in Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), central Seoul

A media facade is on display at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul, in December 2023 [JOONGANG PHOTOS]

The DDP is offering a youthful and spirited countdown festival with fireworks, EDM and media art starting at 11 p.m. on Sunday. London-based DJ Fenner will kick off the event with an EDM concert at the DDP's outdoor space, followed by a special media facade screening by illustrator Kim Jam, which will be projected on the building's 222-meter (243-yard)-long wall. As the clock strikes midnight, 5,000 fireworks will shoot out from its rooftop. The event concludes at 1:30 a.m.

The DDP said that it has security measures in place for crowd control and to prevent a fire, deploying some 100 security guards.

The event is free but an online reservation is needed.

Bosingak Pavilion, central Seoul

A glowing orb rises from the center of Sejong-daero in downtown Seoul, in a rendered image shared by the Seoul city government Tuesday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

A gigantic illuminating orb measuring 12 meters (39 feet) in diameter will “rise” in downtown Seoul as the traditional bell at Bosingak Pavillion rings in the new year. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is calling the orb the “Midnight Sun.”

The countdown event hosted by the city government will commence at 11 p.m. on Sunday and conclude at 1 a.m. Monday along the road from the Bosingak Pavilion to Sejong-daero in Jongno District, central Seoul. Street parades and K-pop performances will be held this evening as well. Acts including ZeroBaseOne, Enhypen, The Boyz and Oh My Girl are slated to perform.

Read more about the orb in our previous article here.

Grand Hyatt Seoul, central Seoul

Ice skating rink at Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan District, central Seoul [GRAND HYATT SEOUL]

The five-star hotel in Yongsan District announced that it will be setting off fireworks by its outdoor ice skating rink as the clock strikes 12 on the New Year. A figure skating show will precede the fireworks, at 9 p.m.

Its restaurants The Terrace Buffet, Kauri, Gallery Lounge, Steakhouse, Paris Bar and JJ Mahoney's are all offering “special countdown menu selections” with an eclectic list of drinks. Live performances will be held at JJ Mahoney's and Gallery Lounge, according to the hotel.

For more information and reservations, visit the hotel's official website.

Seoul Arts Center, southern Seoul

Poster of Seoul Arts Center's "2023 SAC New Year's Eve Concert" slated for Sunday at 10 p.m. [SEOUL ARTS CENTER]

Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul, is holding a concert titled “2023 SAC New Year's Eve Concert” featuring the Korean Symphony Orchestra, pianist Hyuk Lee and Russian trumpeter Sergei Nakariako.

It starts at 10 p.m. and performances carry onto the venue’s outdoor space where fireworks are scheduled to go off at midnight.

Ticket prices range from 30,000 won ($23) to 100,000 won and are available for purchase here.

Sinchon, western Seoul

Poster of "Sinchon Countdown Concert" set for Sunday night in front of the Hyundai Department Store Shinchon Store U-PLEX [SEODAEMUN DISTRICT OFFICE]

For young couples or friends looking to spend a warm and intimate New Year’s Eve, the Seodaemun District office is hosting a countdown event that will spray artificial snow and flower confetti as the clock hits midnight for the new year.

The “Sinchon Countdown Concert” is set to kick off in front of Hyundai Department Store Sinchon Store U-PLEX with a proposing event at 10 p.m. in which locals can sing their love to lovers, friends and family, followed by performances by dance crew Afro Korea, DJ Sefo and bands Romantic Punch and Anywhere Project. The event lasts until 12:30 a.m. on Monday.

Gwangalli and Haeundae, Busan

A drone show at Gwangalll, Busan, during Chuseok in September 2023[YONHAP]

Gwangalli Beach will be deploying 2,000 drones to usher in the new year at midnight. It is set to be the largest drone show that Korea has ever seen. The highlight of the show will be the green dragon, depicted with drones, in light of 2024 being the year of the green wooden dragon as per the Chinese zodiac calendar, which will fly off into the night sky, according to the city government. The event runs from 10 p.m. Sunday to 12:10 a.m. Monday.

The “2024 Countdown” at Haeundae Beach is slated to be a family-friendly event with fireworks, neon face painting and New Year's wish reading-aloud sessions, set to begin at 11 p.m. on Sunday. Fireworks are to go off at midnight followed by EDM performances until 12:50 a.m.

Seongsan Ilchulbong, Jeju Island

Fireworks go off at Seongsan Ilchulbon, also known as "sunrise peak," on Jeju Island [YONHAP]

Seongsan Ilchulbon, also known as “Sunrise Peak,” is one of the country’s most iconic destinations for early birds vying to see the New Year's first sunrise. A laser show will begin at midnight and festivities are set to continue through Monday morning, with events including music performances, the burning of wishes written on paper and eating tteokguk, or rice soup that is traditionally eaten in Korea during the Lunar New Year.

The hike up the Seongsan Ilchulbong on Monday morning requires reservations, available here.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]