Korea in December 2026: Weather, Snow, Festivals and What's Open
Quick answer
- Weather: cold and dry in Seoul, averaging 0.2°C (high 4.2°C, low −3.4°C). Busan averages 5.8°C and Jeju City 8.3°C. These are 1991–2020 averages, not a forecast.
- Snow: Seoul averages 6.4 days with snow in December, but fresh snow of 1 cm or more on only 1.7 days. Don't count on a white Christmas.
- Events: the 2026 Seoul Winter Festival runs Dec 11, 2026–Jan 31, 2027, with the Seoul Lantern Festival on Cheonggyecheon and ice skating at Seoul Plaza from Dec 18. Dec 25 and Jan 1 are both Friday public holidays.
December in Seoul averages 0.2°C, with highs of 4.2°C and lows of −3.4°C, and is mostly dry, so pack for real winter. Busan (5.8°C) and Jeju City (8.3°C) are milder. In 2026, the Seoul Winter Festival starts on Dec 11, and Christmas and New Year's Day are both Friday public holidays.
Source: KMA climate normals, 1991–2020 (Korean), Seoul Winter Festival and 2026 calendar (Korean); checked Nov 4, 2026.
These are long-run averages and tell you what's normal, not what next month will bring. Check the KMA forecast (Korean) closer to your trip.
December weather by city
| December average | Seoul | Busan | Jeju City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean temperature | 0.2°C | 5.8°C | 8.3°C |
| Average high | 4.2°C | 10.4°C | 11.0°C |
| Average low | −3.4°C | 2.0°C | 5.6°C |
| Precipitation | 22.6 mm | 33.8 mm | 55.6 mm |
| Days with rain or snow (0.1 mm+) | 7.8 | 4.7 | 11.5 |
| Days with snow | 6.4 | 0.9 | 5.3 |
| Days with 1 cm+ of fresh snow | 1.7 | 0.1 | 0.4 |
| Days with a low below 0°C | 23.4 | 9.9 | 0.3 |
| Days with a high below 0°C | 6.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Source: KMA climate normals, 1991–2020, stations Seoul 108, Busan 159 and Jeju 184 (Korean); checked Nov 4, 2026.
Will it snow?
Probably at some point in Seoul, but it may not stick. Seoul averages 6.4 days with snow in December, and only 1.7 of them bring 1 cm or more of fresh snow. Seoul's first snow normally comes around Nov 20. Busan rarely sees any. Jeju City has 5.3 snow days but just 0.4 with 1 cm or more, while the mountain is a different story (see below). No average can tell you about Dec 25.
What to wear
Korea's weather agency, summarizing government advice, suggests a scarf, hat and gloves in a cold wave, several layers in snow, and short steps in low-heeled, non-slip shoes on ice. In heavy snow, it says to use public transport rather than drive.
Source: KMA — cold wave and heavy snow (Korean); checked Nov 4, 2026.
Seoul Winter Festival 2026
Older pages call it the Seoul Winter Festa. The 2026 edition is the Seoul Winter Festival, from Dec 11, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027, with events around Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggyecheon, Seoul Plaza, DDP, Bosingak and the Han River parks.
| Event | Dates | Where | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul Lantern Festival | Dec 11–Jan 31 | Along Cheonggyecheon | 18:00–23:00 |
| Seoul Light Gwanghwamun | Dec 11–Jan 10 | Gwanghwamun and the north of the square | 18:00–23:00 |
| Gwanghwamun Market | Dec 11–Jan 10 | South of the square and Sejongno Park | Sun–Thu 17:30–22:00; Fri–Sat 17:30–22:30 |
| Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink | Dec 18–Feb 9 | Seoul Plaza | Sun–Thu 10:00–21:30; Fri–Sat 10:00–00:30 the following day; until 01:00 the following day on Dec 24 and Dec 31 |
| Seoul Light DDP | Main show Dec 17–31 | DDP | 18:00–22:00 (planned) |
| New Year's Eve bell-ringing | Dec 31–Jan 1 | Bosingak | Time not yet posted |
- Skating: ₩1,000, with skates, a helmet and knee pads included. You can book online or buy on site. The page doesn't give time slots or age groups.
- Other events: the official page lists no prices for them. That doesn't confirm they're free, so check closer to the date.
- English: the festival has an English site, but much of its event detail is still in Korean as of Nov 4, 2026.
- Changes: the organizers can change programs, so check the official site before you go.
Source: Seoul Winter Festival (Korean) and Seoul Culture Portal (Korean); checked Nov 4, 2026.
Christmas and New Year
| Date | Day | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 25, 2026 | Friday | Public holiday; no substitute day |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Thursday | Not on the public holiday list |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Friday | Public holiday |
These are official holidays for government offices, and they don't tell you whether a given shop or restaurant is open. Check the place you're planning to visit. Both holidays fall on a Friday, so expect busier weekends. That's our inference, not an official statement.
New Year's Eve in central Seoul: when we checked, Seoul hadn't published its transport plan for Dec 31, 2026. As an example only, for Dec 31, 2025, the city extended buses and subways until about 02:00, closed roads around Bosingak, and had trains skip Jonggak Station. Don't assume the same this year.
For the 2027 holiday list, see our Korea public holidays 2027. That page shows Christmas 2027, which is a different day of the week.
Source: Public holiday rules, 2026 calendar and Seoul's plan for Dec 31, 2025 (all Korean); checked Nov 4, 2026.
Palaces in December
| Palace | December hours (last entry) | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung | 09:00–17:00 (16:00) | Tuesdays |
| Changdeokgung | 09:00–17:30 (16:30) | Mondays |
| Deoksugung | 09:00–21:00 (20:00) | Mondays |
| Changgyeonggung | 09:00–21:00 (20:00) | Mondays |
Dec 25 and Jan 1 are Fridays, so they don't change these closing days. The Secret Garden's English tours in December run at 10:30, 11:30 and 14:30. As of Nov 3, 2026, the palace office had posted no special December opening. See our hanbok and palace guide if you'd like to dress up, and Gyeongbokgung guide for more.
Source: Royal Palaces and Tombs Center (Korean); checked Nov 4, 2026.
Beyond Seoul
- Busan: the Haeundae district's event calendar lists the 13th Haeundae Light Festival from Nov 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027, around Gunam-ro and Haeundae Beach. See our Busan guide.
- Hallasan on Jeju: winter hiking starts from 05:00. Entry checkpoints on the summit routes close at 11:30. The park can close trails for cold waves, heavy snow, strong wind and other weather warnings. There are no shops on the trails, and the park says to bring crampons, water, a rain jacket and snacks. Check for closures that morning, and see our Jeju travel guide for booking and ID.
- Jeju flights and roads: we didn't find an official winter advisory. Our suggestion: ask your airline about weather delays, and if you're driving, see our car rental guide.
- Skiing: KTO's list covers resorts in Gangwon, Gyeonggi and Jeonbuk. Last season's start dates ranged from Nov 21 to Dec 12, 2025, and KTO says dates depend on weather. We didn't find 2026–27 dates for all of them, so check each resort.
- Ice festivals: these mostly come after December. KTO lists the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival for Jan 9–31, 2027, with details still based on 2026. The Pyeongchang Trout Festival hadn't posted 2027 dates when we checked.
Source: Haeundae-gu, Hallasan notice and Hallasan home (all Korean), KTO — ski resorts and KTO — Hwacheon; checked Nov 4, 2026.
Before you go
- Check entry rules: the temporary K-ETA exemption for many countries runs until Dec 31, 2026. If you land in 2027, read our K-ETA guide first.
- Check dates again: December events and transport plans are still being posted.
- Need help in English? Call the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline (+82-2-1330). For emergencies, see our emergency guide. For seasons compared, see our best time to visit Korea.
FAQ
How cold is Korea in December?
Seoul averages 0.2°C, with highs of 4.2°C and lows of −3.4°C. Busan averages 5.8°C and Jeju City 8.3°C. These are 1991–2020 averages.
Does it snow in Korea in December?
Yes, sometimes. Seoul averages 6.4 snow days, but only 1.7 days bring 1 cm or more of fresh snow. Busan averages 0.9 snow days.
What is there to do in Seoul in December 2026?
The Seoul Winter Festival runs Dec 11, 2026–Jan 31, 2027, including the Seoul Lantern Festival on Cheonggyecheon, Gwanghwamun Market and ice skating at Seoul Plaza from Dec 18 (₩1,000 with gear).
Is Christmas a holiday in Korea?
Yes, Dec 25 is a public holiday, and in 2026 it falls on a Friday, so there's no substitute day. Whether a shop or restaurant opens is up to that business.
Is Seoul's New Year's Eve bell-ringing happening in 2026?
Yes, it's listed for Dec 31, 2026–Jan 1, 2027 at Bosingak. The time and transport plan hadn't been posted when we checked on Nov 4, 2026.
- Korea Meteorological Administration — Climate normals 1991–2020 (Korean)
- Korea Meteorological Administration — Regional climate (Korean)
- Korea Meteorological Administration — Cold wave guidance (Korean)
- Korea Meteorological Administration — Heavy snow guidance (Korean)
- Seoul Winter Festival — Festivals (Korean)
- Seoul Winter Festival — English
- Seoul Culture Portal — Seoul Winter Festival (Korean)
- Seoul Metropolitan Government — New Year's bell plan for Dec 31, 2025 (Korean)
- Korea Law Information Center — Public holiday rules (effective May 11, 2026, Korean)
- Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute — 2026 calendar (Korean)
- Royal Palaces and Tombs Center — Opening hours (Korean)
- Hallasan National Park — Winter notice (Sep 30, 2026, Korean)
- Hallasan National Park — Home (Korean)
- Haeundae-gu Office — Annual events (Korean)
- Korea Tourism Organization — Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
- Korea Tourism Organization — Ski resorts (Dec 2025)
Last checked Nov 4, 2026. Details can change — please confirm with the official source before you travel.
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