Does it snow in Seoul in December?

It can, but December is dry overall, with about 23 mm of precipitation on average. Snow days happen, though heavy snow is not the norm. Check the forecast before you travel.

When do the Christmas lights start in Seoul?

In 2025, Seoul city's main winter light events opened on 12 December. Shops and malls often decorate earlier. The 2026 dates will be announced by the city; we add them to our December radar.

Can anyone watch the Bosingak bell ceremony?

Yes, it is a free public event in the streets around Bosingak. The bell is rung by invited citizen representatives, not the public. Go early and expect crowd control.

VISITOR GUIDE

What is Seoul like in December?

December in Seoul is cold and dry. KMA normals (1991–2020) give an average of 0.2°C, highs near 4.2°C and lows near -3.4°C. The city fills with winter lights from mid-month, and on 31 December crowds gather at Bosingak for the midnight bell.

Updated 2026-10-15

Weather and what to pack

The Korea Meteorological Administration's 1991–2020 normals for Seoul give December an average temperature of 0.2°C, an average daily high of 4.2°C and an average low of -3.4°C. It is a dry month, with about 23 mm of precipitation on average. Wind can make it feel colder than the number suggests. Pack a proper winter coat, warm layers, gloves, a hat and comfortable shoes with good grip.

Winter lights and Christmas

Seoul city runs a winter festival, Seoul Winter Festa, around central Seoul. In the 2025 edition, the Seoul Lantern Festival on Cheonggyecheon and Seoul Light Gwanghwamun both opened on 12 December, the Gwanghwamun Market (a Christmas-style market) ran until 31 December, and the Seoul Plaza ice rink opened on 19 December. Dates for 2026 are set each year, so check our December radar. Christmas Day is a public holiday in Korea, and central areas get very busy.

New Year's Eve at Bosingak

Every 31 December, Seoul city holds the New Year's bell-ringing ceremony at Bosingak pavilion in Jongno. The bell is struck 33 times at midnight. In 2025 the programme started at about 10:50 pm with performances, a countdown and the bell. Expect very large crowds, road closures around the pavilion and trains that may skip Jonggak Station that night. Arrive early, dress very warmly and plan your way home before you go.

Museum and palace notes for December

Cold days are good museum days. The National Museum of Korea is free for its permanent galleries, but those galleries close on the first Monday of December, which is 7 December in 2026. Palaces keep their usual weekly closures: Gyeongbokgung on Tuesdays, and Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung on Mondays. If a closing day falls on a public holiday, palaces open and close the next non-holiday instead.

Sources we checked

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