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December 25 Is a Friday and a Public Holiday: Banks Close, Department Stores Open! Myeongdong Cathedral’s Midnight Mass, Shinsegae’s Light Show 5 pm–Midnight, Lotte World’s Parades at 2 and 8 pm — Christmas 2026 in Seoul and What’s Open on the Day

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December 25, 2026 (Friday) is a public holiday in Korea. Banks and government offices close; department stores, convenience stores and the palaces stay open. Myeongdong Cathedral holds a 10:30 pm crib veneration and midnight Mass on the 24th and a noon Mass by the archbishop on the 25th (last year’s schedule). Shinsegae’s facade show runs Nov 1–Dec 31, 5 pm to midnight, free; Lotte World’s parade is daily at 2 and 8 pm. The Hyundai Seoul’s reservation-only village and day-pass prices are here too.

3,600 Won an Hour for Unlimited Comics, Streaming and Switch, Board Games at 3,000 Won an Hour! Seoul’s Manhwa Cafes and Board Game Cafes — Hongdae’s 24-Hour Spot, and How to Enjoy Them Without Reading Korean [Things Worth Doing in Korea #31]

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Korea’s manhwa cafes (만화카페) charge 3,600 won an hour for thousands of comics plus streaming, Nintendo Switch and board games, or 9,500 won for two hours with a drink; Hongdae has a 24-hour flagship with a 15,000-won weekday day pass (Google ★4.8, 1,109 reviews). Board game cafes run 2,400–3,000 won an hour plus one drink per person. The comics are almost all in Korean, so here’s how to enjoy both without the language.

Skating for 1,000 Won an Hour, Sledding for 6,000 Won a Day! Seoul Plaza Ice Rink and the Han River Sledding Hills 2026-27 [Awaiting Announcement] — Opened Dec 19 and Dec 31 in 2025-26, Book on Mondays, Sleds and Skates Included

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Seoul’s two cheapest winter outings: the Seoul Plaza ice rink in front of City Hall at 1,000 won an hour (skates and helmet included, Dec 19–Feb 8 in 2025-26), and the Han River sledding hills at Ttukseom, Jamwon and Yeouido at 6,000 won a day with sled and snow playground included (Dec 31–Feb 18 in 2025-26, 10 am–5 pm). How to book, discounts, how to get there and tips for families. The 2026-27 dates will be added once announced.

Lights from Mid-December, and Cheonggyecheon’s Lanterns Are Free 6–10 pm! Seoul Winter Festa 2026-27 [Awaiting Announcement] — Six Venues from Gwanghwamun to DDP, Read Through the 2025-26 Record

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Seoul bundles its winter illuminations into one city-run ‘Seoul Winter Festa’. In 2025-26 it ran December 12 to January 4: media art and a Christmas market on Gwanghwamun Square (Dec 12–31, 5:30–10 pm), the Seoul Lantern Festival along Cheonggyecheon (6–10 pm, free, extended to Jan 18), the Seoul Plaza ice rink (Dec 19–Feb 8, 1,000 won an hour), a light show at DDP and the New Year bell at Bosingak. The 2026-27 dates are usually announced in late November, and this article will be updated then.

Hand Warmers 2 for 1,000 Won, Earmuffs 1,000 Won, Thermal Underwear 5,000 Won! Winter Gear for Seoul from Daiso and Convenience Stores — the ‘Buy It There’ List at 1,000–5,000 Won Flat

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Seoul averages 0.2°C in December, but you don’t need to pack every piece of winter gear — Daiso and the convenience stores have it. At Daiso, hand warmers are 2 for 1,000 won (12 hours, up to 68°C), stick-on warmers 15 for 5,000 won, a thermal neck warmer 3,000, thermal underwear 5,000, earmuffs 1,000 and ski gloves 5,000. Convenience-store hand warmers run 1,300–1,500 won with frequent 2+1 and 1+1 deals. Here’s what to bring and what to buy on arrival.

7 am from Hongdae, 165,000 Won with Lift Pass and Rentals! Day-Trip Skiing from Seoul — Vivaldi Park and Elysian Gangchon Open in Early December, and You Can Go Empty-Handed [Things Worth Doing in Korea #30]

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Two ski resorts sit within 1–1.5 hours of Seoul for a day trip: Vivaldi Park (Hongcheon, opened Dec 5 in 2025) and Elysian Gangchon (Chuncheon, Dec 6). A shuttle tour leaving Hongik Univ. Station at 7 am and Euljiro 1-ga at 7:30 costs 165,000 won list price with a 7-hour lift pass, skis, clothing and helmet, 190,000 won with a beginner lesson, or 30,000 won for the bus alone. Bring only gloves and goggles. The 2026-27 opening dates are announced in November.

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