2026 Seoul Christmas Spots Guide | Myeongdong Media Facades, The Hyundai Seoul H Village & Jamsil Christmas Market

Even before November kicked off, downtown Seoul was already decked out for Christmas. Major department stores like Lotte, Shinsegae, and Hyundai began unveiling their holiday displays in late October, transforming spots like Myeongdong, Yeouido, and Jamsil into prime locations for holiday photos.

The exterior light displays and media facades of the Myeongdong department stores are completely free for anyone to enjoy right from the street, making them a must-add to your evening itinerary if you are visiting Seoul in November or December. Here is a handy guide broken down by spots that are already open, those with confirmed opening dates, and those with details coming soon.

1. Myeongdong Christmas Street: Lotte Department Store Main Branch

① Lotte Town Dream Light Garden (Lit on Oct 30, Currently Open)

Lotte Department Store Main Branch officially kicked off the holiday season on October 30, illuminating its exterior with around 20,000 bulbs for this year's theme, 'Lotte Town Dream Light Garden.' Designed around the concept of 'A Secret Garden of Dreams,' a 100-meter stretch running from Euljiro 1-ga Station past the Main Building and Avenuel has been transformed into a magical street of lights.

Right in front of the Main Building stands a 15-meter 'Heart Light Tree' featuring animated heart-shaped lights, alongside a 4-meter sculpture of their new mascot, 'HeyYeti.' A dedicated media art installation has also been set up at the main entrance.

When & Where: Open now (since Oct 30, 2026), around the exterior of Lotte Department Store Main Branch (Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul) and the passage connecting to Euljiro 1-ga Station.

Getting There: Directly connected to Euljiro 1-ga Station (Subway Line 2).

What Else to See: A massive media facade titled 'Lotte Town Light' is set to premiere on the outer wall of the Young Plaza building later this holiday season. The exact launch date hasn't been announced yet, so be sure to check Lotte Department Store's official channels for updates.

2. Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch Media Facade: 'Shinsegae Square'

① Christmas Video Premiere: November 6 (Confirmed)

Just a short walk from Lotte Department Store's main branch, Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch is famous for 'Shinsegae Square'—a massive media facade that turns the entire building exterior into a giant screen. Premiering on November 6, this year's Christmas video follows a magical journey of a teddy bear postmaster delivering Christmas wish letters aboard a whimsical balloon ship.

The photo above shows a past holiday season. This year will feature brand-new decorations and video content.

When & Where: Starting Friday, November 6, 2026, on the exterior wall of Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch (63 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul). Free for anyone to view from the street.

Operating Hours: Last year (2025), the show ran daily from 5:00 PM to midnight. Please check Shinsegae's official updates for this year's exact schedule.

Getting There: According to the Seoul city guide (2025), it is closest to Hoehyeon Station (Line 4), Exit 7. You can also easily walk over from Myeongdong Station or Euljiro 1-ga Station.

Holiday Market: Starting Tuesday, November 24, the Main Branch will also host a Holiday Market selling festive decor and gifts. (The Holiday Market at the Gangnam Branch opened earlier on October 30).

Pro Tip: The light show looks crispest after full dark. For the best photos, step back across the street to capture the entire building facade in a single shot.

3. The Hyundai Seoul 'H Village': A New York Christmas Street

① Opening November 10 (Advance Reservations Required - Confirmed)

On Tuesday, November 10, 'H Village' opens at Sounds Forest on the 5th floor of The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido. Step into a magical Christmas village recreating 1980s and '90s New York, featuring 13 red-brick buildings standing up to 10 meters tall, glowing neon signs, and iconic yellow cabs. The setup follows a heartwarming tale of Harry the baby bear and his feline friends delivering holiday gifts across the city.

Having drawn over 1.5 million visitors since 2022, H Village is one of the season's hottest spots, so booking your spot in advance is a must.

How to Book: The first round of reservations opens on Thursday, November 5 at 11:00 AM KST via the 'The Hyundai High' app. International tourists can also book through Klook or visit the dedicated on-site waiting desk for foreign visitors. For walk-ins, scan the QR codes located on floors 2 through 4 to join the queue.

Getting There: Easily accessible from Yeouido Station (Subway Lines 5 and 9).

Don't Miss: The Hyundai Department Store's Trade Center branch (unveiled Oct 27) and Apgujeong Main Branch (unveiled Nov 1) also host giant Christmas trees and photo zones with the same vintage New York vibe.

4. Jamsil Lotte Town Christmas Market

① Opening Mid-November (Exact Date TBA)

If you're looking for a cozy, European-style Christmas market, put Jamsil on your itinerary. Lotte Department Store announced plans to host another outdoor Christmas market in Jamsil starting mid-November. Official dates and ticketing details haven't been released yet.

Last Season's Recap (2025): The market was held at Lotte World Tower's World Park Square from November 20, 2025 to January 4, 2026, featuring a towering 13-meter tree, a two-story carousel, and food stalls serving winter treats. Paid admission tickets were sold in advance, and peak time slots sold out fast.

Getting There: Directly connected to Jamsil Station (Subway Lines 2 and 8) via Lotte World Mall and Lotte World Tower.

Pro Tip: Advance reservations might be required again this year. If you are planning a trip to Jamsil, keep a close eye on official announcements from Lotte Department Store and Lotte World Mall.

5. Insider Tips for Visiting Seoul's Christmas Hotspots

• The Main Branches of Lotte Department Store and Shinsegae Department Store in Myeongdong are just a short walk apart, making it easy to visit both around dusk.
• Myeongdong gets extremely packed on weekend evenings. For a more relaxed experience and better photos, aim for early on a weekday evening.
• In heavy crowds, keep moving with the flow rather than stopping in one spot for long photo sessions. In an emergency, call 112 for police or 119 for fire and medical assistance.
• Evenings in Seoul get quite chilly by November. Dress warmly with a thick coat and gloves if you plan to stay outside for long.
• For venues that require reservations like The Hyundai's H Village, set a reminder so you can log on right when booking opens.
• If department store shopping is on your itinerary, bring your passport along—you'll need it to claim tax refunds.

6. Travel Smarter with WOWKOREA SERVICE

After enjoying the sparkling lights of Myeongdong, unwind back at your hotel by ordering fried chicken or tteokbokki through WOWKOREA SERVICE Food Delivery. You can also order Christmas snacks and treats straight to your hotel room with Mart Delivery.

If your trip takes you to Jamsil, treat yourself to breathtaking night views from above with the 'Lotte World Tower SEOUL SKY Observatory Ticket (Foreigners Only)' on WOWKOREA SERVICE Tickets & Activities. Be sure to check out the discounted Lotte World Admission Tickets (Foreigners Only) while you're at it.

Reserve a Private Van transfer between the airport and your hotel ahead of time for a stress-free trip back, even with arms full of shopping bags. Don't forget to check the WOW Special page to grab extra discount coupons!

Schedules and operating hours are subject to change by the organizers, so be sure to double-check official department store websites and social media before heading out.