Things to do in Seoul in December

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Overview

December is a good time to visit Seoul. The weather is usually really cold with a gentle breeze, with temperatures ranging from 22—36°F (-6—2°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Seoul during this time. Some of our top recommendations: visit the Bukchon Hanok Village for a winter hanbok experience, try traditional Korean winter street food at Gwangjang Market, go ice skating at Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink, and more!

Seoul has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your December trip to Seoul. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to December. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Seoul in December. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout December, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Don't take our word for it
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Best events and things to do in Seoul in December

Top experiences in December
Visit the Bukchon Hanok Village for a winter hanbok experience
Bukchon Hanok Village offers a unique winter hanbok experience, allowing visitors to dress in traditional Korean attire and explore the historic neighborhood in style. It's a fun and memorable way to immerse yourself in Korean culture and capture stunning photos against the backdrop of snow-covered hanok houses.
Try traditional Korean winter street food at Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market is a bustling hub of street food vendors, and in December, it's the perfect place to sample traditional Korean winter delicacies such as hotteok (sweet pancakes), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and mandu (dumplings). It's a delicious and immersive way to experience Korean culinary traditions.
Go ice skating at Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink
During December, Seoul Plaza is transformed into a massive outdoor ice skating rink, offering a fun and festive way to enjoy the winter season. Skating under the twinkling lights and surrounded by the city's iconic landmarks is a truly unique experience that captures the holiday spirit.
Take a day trip to Nami Island
Nami Island is a picturesque island located just outside of Seoul, and in December, it becomes a winter wonderland with snow-covered landscapes and beautiful scenery. It's the perfect escape from the city and offers a serene and tranquil setting for a day of exploration and relaxation.
Explore the Christmas markets in Myeongdong and Hongdae
In December, the streets of Myeongdong and Hongdae come alive with festive Christmas markets, offering a wide array of holiday treats, handmade crafts, and seasonal decorations. It's the perfect opportunity to soak up the holiday atmosphere and find unique gifts for loved ones.
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Holidays in Seoul in December
December
  • Christmas Eve (December 24)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)
  • New Year's Eve (December 31)
Other notable holidays
  • New Year's Day (January 1)
  • Seollal Holiday (January 29)
  • Seollal (January 2930)
  • Independence Movement Day (March 1)
  • Arbor Day (April 5)
  • Labor Day (May 1)
  • Children's Day (May 5)
  • Buddha’s Birthday (May 5)
  • Parents' Day (May 8)
  • Teacher's Day (May 15)
  • Memorial Day (June 6)
  • Constitution Day (July 17)
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Weather in Seoul in December

Temperatures on an average day in Seoul in December

The average temperature in Seoul in December for a typical day ranges from a high of 36°F (2°C) to a low of 22°F (-6°C). Some would describe it as really cold with a gentle breeze.

For comparison, the hottest month in Seoul, August, has days with highs of 84°F (29°C) and lows of 71°F (22°C). The coldest month, January has days with highs of 33°F (0°C) and lows of 17°F (-8°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Seoul in December based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in December
36°F
highs
22°F
lows

General weather summary

Really cold with a gentle breeze
Feels like
12%
Chance of rain
0.034 in
Amount
13.0 mph
Wind speed
71%
Humidity
9.6 hrs
Daylight length
7:37 AM
Sunrise
5:15 PM
Sunset
62%
Cloud cover
Jacket
What to wear
What to wear in December
With an average high of 36°F (2°C) and a low of 22°F (-6°C), it generally feels really cold with a gentle breeze. With that in mind, most people would dress in something warm like a jacket
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Best attractions for Seoul in December

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Seoul has to offer for travelers in December, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Seoul that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Seoul for December.
Seoul Metro Sadang Branch
1. Seoul Metro Sadang Branch
3.7
(58)
Railroad company
Transportation
Gyeongbokgung Palace
2. Gyeongbokgung Palace
4.6
(40194)
Cultural landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Free guided tours are offered of this large 14th-century royal palace with a museum & gardens.
Start of Myeondong Shopping Street
3. Start of Myeondong Shopping Street
4.2
(920)
Shopping mall
Sights & Landmarks
N Seoul Tower
4. N Seoul Tower
4.5
(57584)
Sights & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Opened in 1980, this iconic tower offers panoramic views of the city & a revolving restaurant.
Insa-dong
5. Insa-dong
Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
The focal point of lively Insadong is its pedestrianized main street, which is crammed with teahouses and Korean eateries, plus shops selling traditional goods like pottery, tea and handmade hanji paper. The offbeat Ssamziegil complex has cozy cafes and mural-lined stairwells leading to a roof terrace, while the Hakgojae gallery shows modern art. Leafy Tapgol Park has a massive stone pagoda.
Bukchon Hanok Village
6. Bukchon Hanok Village
4.4
(17499)
Landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Village dating to the 14th century filled with narrow streets lined with restored traditional homes.
Changdeokgung
7. Changdeokgung
4.6
(12232)
Cultural landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Tours are offered of this large Joseon dynasty palace & its surrounding gardens.
War Memorial of Korea
8. War Memorial of Korea
4.6
(16518)
War museum
Museums
Museum charting Korea's conflicts, with exhibition rooms, monuments & an outdoor vehicle display.
Cheonggyecheon
9. Cheonggyecheon
4.5
(8269)
Park
Sights & Landmarks
Recreational area constructed around a revived stream with walkways, bridges & greenery.
Lotte World
10. Lotte World
4.3
(44940)
Theme park
Water & Amusement Parks
Theme park rides, water flumes & marine life exhibits in a family centred 3-in-1 adventure park.
Namdaemun Market
11. Namdaemun Market
4.2
(26413)
Market
Shopping
Opened in 1964, this large area of stalls offers clothes, household goods & local items.
National Museum of Korea
12. National Museum of Korea
4.7
(23748)
National museum
Museums
Major building opened in 2005 to house the country's cultural & military artifacts & artworks.
Hongdae Shopping Street
13. Hongdae Shopping Street
4.3
(8524)
Business park
Sights & Landmarks
Namsan
14. Namsan
4.7
(587)
Mountain peak
Nature & Parks
Prominent mountain offering hiking, picnic areas, a broadcast tower & sweeping city views.
Gwangjang Market
15. Gwangjang Market
4.2
(38666)
Traditional market
Sights & Landmarks
Bustling shopping area offering a wide array of traditional food items, plus clothing & souvenirs.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
16. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
4.3
(28458)
Cultural center
Sights & Landmarks
Architectural-landmark events venue with futuristic design, a design market & food vendors.

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Seoul?

Get inspired for your trip to Seoul with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

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