✨ Seoul Light Gwanghwamun 2025 — A Winter Night That Breathes with Light
Seoul Light Gwanghwamun 2025 runs from December 12, 2025 to January 4, 2026,
taking place across Gwanghwamun Square and the northern plaza area.
The official theme for this season is “Gwanghwa, Breathe with Light,”
and the entire festival is free to visit.
🌏 Before You Head Out to Seoul Light Gwanghwamun 2025
Before you go, make sure to download Naver Map — the most reliable navigation app in Korea.
While Google Maps can be inconsistent with local addresses and routes, Naver Map offers accurate walking, driving, and public transportation directions in English.
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🎄 December 12, 6:00 PM.
As dusk slowly settled in, the lights at Gwanghwamun Square began to glow one by one.
Music from a performance rehearsal drifted across the plaza.
Foreign travelers, couples, and families wandered through the open space.
As darkness deepened and the lights came alive,
the square naturally transformed into a festive winter scene ✨
After spending the whole day walking through Bukchon,
I arrived here feeling slightly tired —
and found myself unexpectedly healed by the calm beauty of the night.
That evening, Gwanghwamun Square felt like this:
✨ A striking nightscape filled with large-scale LED lighting and media art
🎄 Christmas trees and seasonal decorations creating a warm year-end atmosphere
🎅 A festival open to everyone — families, couples, and travelers alike
✨ A peaceful winter night walk in the very heart of Seoul
Media façade displays and glowing light installations lined the plaza,
instantly drawing visitors into the heart of the festival.
At the heart of the festival stands the Unsu Daetong-ro Light Corridor — the “Lucky Way.”
Built with glowing dancheong patterns and panels inspired by Irworobongdo,
this illuminated passage wishes love, blessings, and good fortune to everyone who walks through ✨
Seoul Light Gwanghwamun is not simply about bright lights.
It is an exhibition that allows visitors to experience
the history, symbolism, and scale of Gwanghwamun
through contemporary media art and light.
🎄 Gwanghwamun Christmas Market — A Place to Walk, Pause, and Enjoy
The Gwanghwamun Christmas Market runs from December 12 to December 31, 2025,
held alongside the light festival at Gwanghwamun Square.
If Seoul Light focuses on exhibitions,
the Christmas market is all about atmosphere 🎅
At the center of the square stands a giant Christmas tree 🎄,
surrounded by a Santa village–style market inspired by European Christmas fairs.
As you stroll through the market, you’ll find:
🎅 A Rudolph-themed carousel and cheerful photo zones
🎄 Festive Christmas decorations and warm seasonal lighting
✨ Holiday gifts and snacks from local small businesses
✨ Simple hands-on programs and free events
International visitors joined in with cheerful street performances, filling the square with laughter and energy. 🎄
Rather than flashy or overwhelming,
the market feels warm and inviting —
lively enough to feel festive, yet calm enough to enjoy at an easy pace ✨
✨ Part of Seoul Winter Festa
Seoul Light Gwanghwamun and the Gwanghwamun Christmas Market
are both key programs of Seoul Winter Festa,
Seoul’s official winter-season festival brand.
From Christmas through the New Year,
light installations, media art, Christmas markets,
and cultural events illuminate public spaces across the city ✨
🧤 Visitor Tips (Based on Personal Experience)
🧣 Dress warmly — the open square can feel colder due to winter winds
🚇 Public transportation is highly recommended, as parking nearby is limited
🔋 Bring a power bank for your phone during night visits
📸 If using a tripod:
Small tripods are recommended
Be mindful not to block pedestrian flow during busy hours
✨ Next Stops
From here, the winter journey continues.
First, follow the glowing lanterns along Cheonggyecheon Stream at the Seoul Lantern Festival : Seoul Lantern Festival 2025 At Cheonggyecheon Stream — A Magical Winter Night Walk In Seoul🏮✨
Then, step into a fairytale-like holiday world at Hyundai Department Store’s Christmas Village, where festive displays and seasonal magic fill the city 🎄🎠