Ideas for Expats to enjoy Christmas in Korea!
Christmas in Korea is very different than what you might be used to back home. Christmas Day in Korea is certainly not the biggest, or the most important holiday. Some families do put up Christmas trees, people exchange presents, and stores do put up holiday decorations. Christmas mass and church services are held on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
Christmas in Korea is essentially a religious holiday, But that does not mean you can’t have fun! True, it may be shocking for many westerners who are celebrating their first Christmas in Korea. Festivities are not what one may be accustomed to.
Koreans usually celebrate Christmas by going out and restaurants are busy on Christmas. Christmas season is a time for many festivals and events that are held all over Korea. If you are going to be in Korea this Christmas, here is a list of few things you might want to check out!
Busan Christmas Tree Festival (부산크리스마스트리문화축제)
The festival will be held from November 28, 2015 to January 3, 2016 in Busan. The event will include a Christmas tree along with concerts, a tree of wishes, street performances, collecting love coins, a photo and video contest etc
Lotte World Christmas Festival (롯데월드 크리스마스축제)
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It will be held in Seoul Lotte world from November7, 2015 to December27, 2015. The event will include snow show, Christmas parade along with the Christmas party with family musical show, ice rink band show and other various performances.
Seongsan Sunrise Festival (제주성산일출축제)
Looking for something romantic? Try the sunrise festival! The sunrise festival is held every year in Jeju-do, to welcome the New Year. This year the festival will be held from December 30th 2015 to January 1st, 2016. You can make wishes for the coming year, enjoy the amazing sunrise and breathtakingly beautiful view from Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak.
Homigot Sunrise Festival (호미곶 한민족 해맞이축전)
Don’t worry if you cannot go to Jeju-do and see the sunrise. You can join the Homigot sunrise festival in Gyeongsang-buk-do. The festival includes sunrise concert, cultural performances, New year celebratory event and fire show. You can also enjoy free tteokguk, a traditional Korean New Year’s dish and participate in other events such as kite-flying and launching hope balloons with wishes attached.
Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival (칠갑산얼음분수축제)
Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival will be held in Chungcheongnam-do from December 24th 2015 to February 14th 2016. You can enjoy an ice fountain and ice sculptures and also take part in tube sledding, ice sledding, cow pulled sledding, ice bobsledding, smelt fishing etc. You can also sample various Korean snacks like roasted chestnut, baked sweet potato etc while enjoying the festival.
Pyeongchang Trout Festival (평창송어축제)
If you like fishing you may enjoy this festival. It will be held in Jinbu-myeon in Pyeongchang-gun district, Gangwon-do from December 18th 2015 to January 31st 2016. Along with ice fishing for trout you can also enjoy various snow sports. Any trout caught from ice fishing and lure fishing can be prepared right away at a nearby restaurants.
Lighting Festival (오색별빛정원전)
It will be held at the Garden of Morning Calm, in Gyeonggi-do from December 4th 2015 to March 13th 2016. It is the biggest festival of lights in Korea, covering 100 thousand pyeong illuminated by 30,000 lights. The trees are illuminated with numerous brilliant lights. Be sure to stop by and dazzle your world!
In case you feel homesick and miss Christmas back home, there is nothing better than a giant Christmas tree to make you feel all warm and festive. You can enjoy Street Lights and Giant Christmas Trees in the main Department Stores all around Korea like: Shinsegae, Lotte Department Stores in Sogong-dong and Seoul Plaza.
Shopping
If shopping is your thing you are in luck! Seoul is ‘THE’ shopping destination. Major shopping centers and department stores have sales going on for Christmas.
If you are going on a shopping spree be sure to check out: Gangnam, Myeongdong, Itaewon, Insadong and Hongdae.
For those on a budget don’t get disheartened! Try Namdaemun and Dongdaemun markets. You can buy some amazing items for a great price. Be ready to haggle! They even have Christmas and New year night market! Yay!!!!
There are a plethora of things you can do in Korea for Christmas. It’s different from back home…but in a good way^^ Whatever you decide to do this Christmas, I hope that it’s exciting and fun!
Merry Christmas!