Visiting Korea in December 2024 | Weather, What to Wear + Best Festivals
The incredible autumn colour of Korea in November is all but finished, but there’s still a lot to look forward to in Korea in December. This is the first month of winter in Korea, and while it might be colder than you ever thought possible, the country is alive with festive cheer and sparkling lights.
It’s winter in Korea in December, but there’s a ton to see and do.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- what the December weather in Korea is like
- the Seoul weather in December and other major cities and tourist hotspots, including Busan, Jeju, Pyeongchang and Gangwondo
- the best winter festivals to attend in Korea in December
- what to wear and the best things to pack for a successful trip to South Korea in December
*Any purchases made through affiliate links here help run this site. Support my blog here.
In this guide
- 1 Visiting Korea in December
- 2 Planning a trip to Korea?
- 3 Korea in December | Weather
- 4 Korea in December | Public Holidays 2024
- 5 Limited Edition Winter Tours in Korea
- 6 Korea in December | Best Festivals and Events
- 6.1 Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival | 아침고요수목원 오색별빛정원전
- 6.2 Haeundae Light Festival | 해운대 빛축제
- 6.3 Haeundae Polar Bear Festival | 북극곰 수영대회
- 6.4 Seoul Winta Festival | 서울윈터페스타
- 6.5 Seoul Lantern Festival | 서울빛초롱축제
- 6.6 Hangang River Festival Winter | 한강페스티벌 겨울
- 6.7 Seoullight at DDP | 서울라이트
- 6.8 Sanjeong Lake Sledding Festival | 포천 산정호수 썰매축제
- 6.9 Boseong Tea Plantation Light Festival | 보성차밭 빛축제
- 6.10 Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival | 칠갑산얼음분수축제
- 7 Korea in December | Sunrise Festivals
- 8 Korea in December | What to Wear
- 9 Visiting Korea in December | Packing List
Visiting Korea in December
There’s a major uptick in travel to South Korea in December, with school vacations starting around the world, SE Asian visitors hoping to see snow, and the holiday season upon us. If you’ve planned your trip to Korea in the month of December, prepare for arctic weather, crowded streets and busy festivals.
Many travelers to Korea in December hope to see snow © Jeon U-seok, Korea Tourism Organization
This is a challenging time to book good value accommodation in popular neighbourhoods like Myeongdong and Hongdae. It’s best to reserve your hotels as early as possible, particularly if you’re traveling to Korea in the last 2 weeks of December.
Hotels and resorts are jam-packed with international tourists, as well as Korean couples and families enjoying Christmas staycations.
Christmas is a very busy time of year in Myeongdong. Book hotels EARLY!
In Korea in December, it gets progressively colder, with sub-zero temperatures and snowfall around the country. If you’re coming from a hot country like Singapore or the beaches of Thailand, you’ll feel the chill even more. You’ll definitely need extra-warm winter gear to cope with the December weather in Korea.
Planning a trip to Korea?
Connect with other travellers | Ask and get answers to all your travel questions | Learn about all the best things to do in Korea | Join our Korea Travel Planning + Guide Facebook Group now.
South Korea Travel Essentials
Hotels and Other Accommodation
Tours, Admission Tickets, and Things to Do
Klook | Trazy | Get Your Guide | Fever
Airport Transfers, Transit, and Transportation
Discounted AREX Incheon Airport Express Train
K Airport Limousine Bus from Incheon Airport
Private Airport Transfers from Incheon or Gimhae
Car Rentals (International Drivers Permit required)
Seoul to Busan KTX high speed rail tickets
Korean Express and Intercity Bus Reservations
Wifi, SIM Cards, and Portable Wifi
Airalo eSIM | 4G unlimited data SIM card | Portable and Pocket 4G WiFi
Money-Saving City Passes
Visit Busan Pass with FREE admission to 31 attractions + 77 discounted
Wowpass, Prepaid Debit Card for Cashless Payment in Korea (includes T-money Card)
Korea in December | Weather
December is the first month of winter in Korea, and while it may feel incredibly frigid, it’s actually the warmest month of the season. During daylight hours, average high temperatures reach just 4°C | 40°F.
It’s very cold in Korea in December. Bundle up!
The average lows are -3°C | 26°F, but it can feel significantly worse than the temperature would suggest. If it’s windy or there’s an absence of sunshine, it can feel impossibly cold.
December in Korea also has the shortest days of the year, with approximately 9.5 hours of daylight available. There’s a lot of cloud cover in December and a chance of rain, mixed rain and snow, and snowfall across the country.
It snows across Korea in December © Jeong hyo-won, Korea Tourism Organization
Korea in December | Seoul Weather
The sun sets before 6 PM, Siberian winds are blowing, and it reaches a maximum high of 4°C | 40°F during daylight hours. You’ll need to be prepared with real winter gear to survive the frosty December weather in Seoul.
Even the trees wear sweaters in Seoul in December!
There’s a mix of rain and snow in Seoul in December, with most of the snowfall concentrated near the end of the month. If you’ve got your heart set on seeing snow in Korea, there’s a decent chance your dream will come true.
Snow in Seoul tends to melt almost as soon as it hits the ground though, so if you see the white, fluffy stuff floating through the sky, get outside as soon as you can.
Snowfall in Seoul tends to melt quickly, but on rare occasions, it sticks around.
* Personal note: I grew up in Canada – land of 6 month winters and – 30°C temps, yet I barely survived my first winter in Korea. Although the thermometer readings look relatively gentle, Korean winter is a beast I’d never experienced before. It’s REALLY cold. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Korea Weather in December | Busan
Busan is located on the southeastern coast of Korea, so it’s a bit warmer than Seoul in December, with temperatures ranging from 4°C | 39°F to 8°C | 47°F. There’s approximately 10 hours of daylight in Busan in December.
Snow is unlikely in Busan in December, but you should still wear warm clothes © Doit Company, No Sihyeon, Korea Tourism Organization
It’s impossible to have a white Christmas in Busan though, because there’s literally zero chance of snowfall!
TIP | Short on time? Explore the best attractions in Busan with this jampacked tour to the Busan Skywalk, Gamcheon Culture Village, Songdo Cable Car, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, and more. Lunch and transport included. Check availability of this day tour to all the Busan hotspots here.
Korea Weather in December | Pyeongchang (Gangwon-do)
For the most chance of seeing snow in Korea in December, get thee to Gangwon-do Province, which lies east of Seoul. There’s a reason why most ski resorts in Korea are concentrated in this region.
Average snowfall in Pyeongchang in December is around 25-cm, with the most snowfall occurring in the last week of the month.
Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch in Pyeongchang is wonderful in winter © Kim Eundo, Korea Tourism Organization
Pyeongchang in December has average temperatures ranging from -9°C | 15°F to 0°C | 33°F. Bundle up and be sure to have a warm hat and gloves if you plan to visit this area of Korea. While there is quite a bit of sunshine in this region, it’s on another level of cold.
The Garden of Morning Calm is one of December’s best festivals in Korea.
WINTER HIGHLIGHTS TOUR | Seeing the Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival, snow sledding, picking sweet strawberries, and marveling at a wall of ice are 4 of Korea’s best winter activities, and you can do them ALL on this convenient one-day tour. Check full details here.
Korea Weather in December | Jeju Island
Jeju in December has very similar weather to Busan, with average temperatures ranging from 5°C | 42°F and 11°C | 52°F. As in the rest of South Korea in December, the days are short, it’s relatively dry, and there’s quite a bit of cloud cover.
The odds of snow at the peak of Hallasan are high © kangbch, Pixabay
You won’t see much snow on Jeju Island’s cities or beaches, but head up the slopes of Hallasan Mountain, and you’ll increase your odds greatly. Keep in mind though, that Jeju is known for having fairly fickle weather, so you should be prepared for just about anything!
GETTING AROUND JEJU ISLAND | Public transit on Jeju Island is not as efficient as in Seoul. Distances are long, and it’s a lot slower, so most visitors either take day tours, hire a taxi, rent a car, or book a private car charter.
To rent a car as a traveller to Korea, you MUST have: a book type international driver’s permit (obtained in your home country), your passport, and your driver’s license from home. Check full details and availability of rental cars on Jeju Island here (reserve as early as possible for the best selection and prices).
Korea in December | Public Holidays 2024
In Korea in December, there are 2 observances and 1 public holiday. Christmas Eve and New Years Eve are both observances that fall on a Tuesday, and Christmas in Korea lands on a Thursday in 2024.
The Christmas tree at Starfield Library changes every year.
GOOD TO KNOW | While Christmas is a national holiday in Korea, it’s not celebrated in quite the same way as in the western world. If you’re worried about stores and restaurants being closed, don’t be. Almost everything will be open and running as normal.
Limited Edition Winter Tours in Korea
Sure, December in Korea might feel downright frosty, but there’s still plenty of fun things to do to help you forget the cold. Don’t miss these special events and activities that are only available for 2 or 3 months of the year.
Hit the slopes in Korea in December ⓒ Lee Beomsu, Korea Tourism Organization
- Yongpyong Resort Balwangsan Cable Car + Samyang Ranch | December 3rd, 2024 – February 20th, 2025
- Elysian Ski / Snowboarding / Sledding One Day Tour | December 5th, 2024 – March 5th, 2025
- Vivaldi Park Snowy Land Sledding Tour | December 10th, 2024 – February 28th, 2025
- Eobi Ice Valley + Strawberry Picking + Snow Sledding | December 15th, 2024 – February 28th, 2025
- Eobi Ice Valley, Nami Island, Alpaca World + Garden of Morning Calm | December 16th, 2024 – February 19th, 2025
- Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival, Snowy Land + Strawberry Picking | December 16th, 2024 – March 3rd, 2025
- Wondae-ri Birch Forest + Maebawi Icewall Day Tour | December 18th, 2024 – February 23rd, 2025
- Cheongyang Alps Village Ice Fountain Festival + Strawberry Picking | December 23rd, 2024 – February 13th, 2025
- Cheongsong Ice Valley + Pohang Space Walk Tour + Hometown Cha-Cha Market | December 25th, 2024 – February 12th, 2025
- Sanjeong Lake Sledding Festival, Herb Island, Strawberry Picking + Icewall Cafe | December 27th, 2024 – March 3rd, 2025
- 3 Romantic Winter Festivals in a Day | January 1st – February 10th, 2025
- Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival Tour from Seoul | January 25th, 2025 – February 2nd, 2025
- Skiing, Snowboarding, and Sledding Tours across Korea | December 2024 – March 2025
A world of snow at the top of Yonpyong Resort’s Balwangsan Cable Car.
Korea in December | Best Festivals and Events
After a relatively quiet November, the festival schedule is back in full force in Korea in December. Major holidays like Christmas and New Years Eve herald some of the biggest events and festivals of the year. So equip yourself with hot packs, and a long padding jacket and get out there!
Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Korea in the first week of April.
Visiting Korea at another time of the year? Learn about weather and festivals for other months in Korea, in the following detailed guides.
- Korea in January: The Coldest Month of the Year
- Korea in February: The Final Month of Winter
- Korea in March: First Signs of Spring
- Korea in April: Chasing Cherry Blossoms
- Korea in May: In Full Bloom
- Korea in June: The Best Month of Summer
- Korea in July: The Peak of Summer
- Korea in August: Summer Vacation for EVERYONE!
- Korea in September: Autumn Relief
- Korea in October: Full on Fall Foliage
- Korea in November: Autumn to Winter Transition
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons in Korea © Heo Heung-mu, Korea Tourism Organization
Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival | 아침고요수목원 오색별빛정원전
Festival Dates: December 6th, 2024 – March 13th, 2025
Address: 1632-1, Seogok-ri, Panbu-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do | 강원 원주시 판부면 용수골길 326
There are a ton of lighting festivals for the holiday season, but the Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival is probably the best. It has an awe-inspiring display of glimmering lights and festive cheer.
The Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival is sure to brighten a cold, winter night.
You’ll be totally wowed by the sight of tens of thousands of twinkling bulbs brightening the night sky, as far as the eye can see. I loved it so much, I’ve gone twice!
Read my full guide to visiting the Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival for all the details.
ALPACA WORLD + THE GARDEN OF MORNING CALM LIGHTING FESTIVAL | Pet fluffy alpacas, stop in on Nami Island’s winter sonata, and see the Garden of Morning Calm’s stunning Starlight Festival on this day tour of winter hotspots. Check full details and availability here.
Haeundae Light Festival | 해운대 빛축제
Festival dates: 2024 / 25 TBA, December 2nd, 2023 – January 31st, 2024
Address: Haeundae Beach, U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan |해운대해수욕장, 해운대광장, 해운대시장, 온천길 일원
The Haeundae Light Festival is back this December in Korea. Enjoy the festive streets of Busan with LED light displays, free concerts, street performances and more brightly lit Christmas trees in one place than you can possibly imagine.
The Haeundae Light Festival is Busan’s annual winter event ⓒ Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization
This unique lighting festival adorns the road from the beach, up to Haeundae Market and Hot Spring Road in a long line of sparking lights. Special activities include a Carolling Competition, 100 Santa Ceremony, and Wishing Tree Festival.
GYEONGJU DAY TOUR FROM BUSAN | This UNESCO museum city without walls is one of the most worthwhile day trips you can make from Busan. Explore ancient royal tombs, gorgeous temples, and enjoy one of the best historical places in Korea. Check full details here.
Haeundae Polar Bear Festival | 북극곰 수영대회
Festival dates: December 4th – 6th, 2024
Address: 47, Dalmaji-gil 62beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
If you dare to join the other 4,999 Busan Polar Bears, by diving into the icy cold waters off Haeundae Beach at the 37th Polar Bear Swim, you’ll have conquered sea temperatures of a chilly 16.5°C in Busan in December!
Would you brave the cold? © Busan Metropolitan city, (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The event costs 30,000KRW, and it looks like you get some really cute souvenirs out of it.
Registration is open from October 29th to November 22nd, 2024. Get more details here.
Seoul Winta Festival | 서울윈터페스타
Festival Dates: December 13th, 2024 – January 5th, 2025
Address: Various locations including DDP, Sejongdaero, Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggyecheon, Seoul Square and more
This is a brand new festival that ran for the first time last December in Korea. It is large scale, taking place at 7 main attractions in Seoul during the peak of winter.
All the pretty lights at Cheonggyecheon Stream for WINTA Festival.
There are some huge events planned that will light up the city during the festive season, including the large-scale Seoul Light at Gwanghwamun Square and several light festivals. Keep your eyes peeled for more details.
Seoul Lantern Festival | 서울빛초롱축제
Festival Dates: December 13th, 2024 – January 12th, 2025
Address: 172 , Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 종로구 세종대로 172 5호선 광화문역
Taking place in the second half of December in South Korea, the Seoul Lantern Festival is one of the biggest and most popular festivals to attend in the city, around the holiday season.
The Lantern Festival is one of December’s biggest events © Live Studio, Korea Tourism Organization
Gorgeous large-scale paper lanterns and colourful LED sculptures bring Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggyecheon Stream wonderfully to life every winter. Nearly 3 million visitors attend the Seoul Lantern Festival, so prepare for crowds. This is a free event. Learn more here.
Hangang River Festival Winter | 한강페스티벌 겨울
Festival Dates: December 20th – 25th, 2024
Address: Various Han River Parks in Seoul
Head to the Hangang River Festival for its winter instalment, which takes place near the end of December in Korea. Expect a Christmas Market, light sculptures, cute photo zones, special holiday performances, and an exciting Snow Sledding area.
Festive lights in Seoul in December.
Seoullight at DDP | 서울라이트
Festival Dates: 2024 TBA, December 21st – 31st, 2023
Address: 281, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 중구 을지로 281 (을지로7가)
Seoul Light is a large-scale media light event that takes place multiple times a year at at Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
This December in Korea, they’ve added showing, and the event runs from 18:00 – 22:00, every the half hour. There’s also a special NYE Countdown and event scheduled for December 31st at 23:55. Check the full schedule here.
I’ve personally seen Seoul Light on a few different occasions, and been in total awe at the scale. It’s worth checking out.
Sanjeong Lake Sledding Festival | 포천 산정호수 썰매축제
FESTIVAL DATES: 2024 / 2025 TBA, December 30th, 2023 – February 9th, 2024
Address: 104, Sanjeongho Lake-ro 411beon-gil, Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 포천시 영북면 산정호수로411번길 104
With super-cute ducky sleds, penguin bicycles, and enough snow to build a massive snowman, this is one of the best festivals to check out if your priority is to experience a snowy landscape.
The Sanjeong Lake Sledding Festival starts in December.
Be sure to gear up with parka, snow pants, warm gloves, hats, and boots to fully enjoy your time in Pocheon, without feeling too cold.
Before you go, check out my full guide to visiting the Sanjeong Lake Sledding Festival.
ULTIMATE WINTER DAY IN POCHEON | Want to feel some real snowy, winter in Korea vibes? Then Pocheon is the place to go! This excellent day tour takes you to the top of frozen Sanjeong Lake AND the Herb Island Lighting Festival, with some strawberry picking on the way. Check full details here.
Boseong Tea Plantation Light Festival | 보성차밭 빛축제
Festival Dates: TBA for 2024 / 2025, but usually for the month of December
Address: 775, Nokcha-ro, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do | 전라남도 보성군 보성읍 녹차로 775
Located in Jeollanam-do Province, the Boseong Green Tea Plantation is wonderful to see in every season, but during December in Korea, the entire plantation gets a festive facelift with twinkling lights adorning its symmetrical bushes.
Green tea fields covered in Christmas lights? Sign me up!
If you plan to go, dress extra warm. There are few indoor areas to warm up at Boseong, and I can’t remember the last time I felt so cold. Hot packs and warm boots are a must!
Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival | 칠갑산얼음분수축제
Festival Dates: 2024 / 2025 TBA, January 1st, 2024 – February 18th, 2024
Address: 223-35, Cheonjangho-gil, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do | 충청남도 청양군 정산면 천장호길 223-35
Head to Chilgapsan Mountain for a frozen wonderland, full of spectacular ice sculptures, and tons of winter fun. You can try activities like snow sledding, ice fishing, roasting chestnuts, and much more.
The Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival starts in December.
I went to this festival a few years back, and easily spent the entire day there, re-creating all my daughter’s Elsa dreams.
CHEONGYANG ICE FOUNTAIN FESTIVAL TOUR | It’s easy to spend an entire day and night at the Alps Village Ice Fountain Festival! And this day tour from Seoul allows plenty of time to explore ALL the fun this festival has to offer. Check full details here.
Korea in December | Sunrise Festivals
Festival Dates: December 31st, 2024 – January 1st, 2025
Every year, from December 31st to January 1st, thousands of people are lined up on a coast or standing on high mountains in the bitter cold, making wishes and waiting for the sun to rise.
There are sunrise festivals all over Korea in December.
Welcoming the new year by watching the first sunrise of a new year is one of the most popular things to do on the last day of December in Korea. Join the locals who believe that wishes made while witnessing the first sunrise of the year, are most powerful!
I’ll rundown a few of the most popular sunrise festivals in Korea here, but there are a ton more.
Achasan Sunrise Festival | 아차산 해맞이
Festival Dates: December 31st, 2024 – January 1st, 2025
Address: 127, Walkerhill-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 광진구 워커힐로 127 (광장동)
The Achasan Sunrise Festival is a good one to visit if you don’t want to travel too far out of Seoul. It’s easy to access using public transportation, and it takes just 15 minutes to hike up to the viewing spot.
Wishes made on the first sunrise of the year are more powerful. Photo by Michael Kim/3-legged-crow@Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Be warned though – this is one of the more popular places to visit for New Year’s Eve in Korea, due to its proximity to Seoul. Pre-pandemic, 40,000 visitors regularly attended this event at the end of December in South Korea. I expect that numbers will rival that, now that all social distancing measures have disappeared.
KOREAN FOLK PERFORMANCES AT THE GUGAK CENTRE | Seeing a performance at the National Gugak Centre in Seoul is a must-do activity for any culture enthusiasts interested in Korean traditional folk arts. Be sure to visit the excellent free museum nearby to try out some traditional instruments yourself! Check availability and reserve tickets for a traditional performance at the National Gugak Centre.
Seongsan Sunrise Festival | 제주성산일출축제
Festival Dates: December 31st, 2024 – January 1st, 2025
Address: 284-12, Ilchul-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do | 제주특별자치도 서귀포시 성산읍 일출로 284-12 (성산읍)
I can’t quite think of a better place to see the first sunrise of the year in Korea than Seongsan Ilchubong (Sunrise Peak) on Jeju Island. This is one of Jeju’s gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage sites, renowned for a gorgeous sunrise that peaks over an ancient volcanic tuff cone.
Seongsan Ilchubong is UNESCO World Heritage © Kim Jongo, Korea Tourism Organization
This festival was held online last December in Korea, but live events appear to be on the agenda again this year. Check for updates on their website (Korean only).
Ganjeolgot Sunrise Festival | 울산 간절곶 해맞이축제
Festival Dates: December 31st, 2024 – January 1st, 2025
Address: 39-2, Ganjeolgot 1-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan | 울산광역시 울주군 서생면 간절곶1길 39-2 (서생면)
Ganjeolgot Cape in Ulsan is the first place to see the sunrise in Korea, because it sticks out into the ocean. This festival includes special performances, fireworks displays, traditional bowls of tteokguk, and much more. Join a tour here.
A traditional bowl of tteokguk will warm you to your toes © Jeon Han, Korea.net (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
GYEONGJU UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES | See stunning Gyeongju UNESCO world heritage sites like Seokguram and Bulguksa Temple on an easy and convenient day trip from Busan. Check availability and full tour details here.
Homigot Sunrise Festival | 호미곶 한민족 해맞이축전
Festival Dates: December 31st, 2024 – January 1st, 2025
Address:136, Haemaji-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do | 경상북도 포항시 남구 호미곶면 해맞이로 136
If you’ve ever wondered where the striking images of a sunrise peeking over hand sculptures in the ocean are from – it’s Homigot Village in Pohang.
A simply stunning sunrise © Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization
At the Homigot Sunrise Festival, enjoy cultural performances, a fireworks show, sunrise concert and other inspirational events like kite-flying and launching hope balloons filled with wishes for the new year.
Be sure to sample some free tteokguk – which is a traditional New Year’s Day dish for Koreans.
Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival | 정동진 해맞이 축제 모래시계회전식
Festival Dates: December 31st, 2024 – January 1st, 2025
Address: Jeongdongjin2-ri, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do | 강원도 강릉시 강동면 정동진2리
Jeongdongjin is mostly known for that crazy cruise ship on a cliff (Sun Cruise Resort), but on New Year’s Eve, the bigger draw is Sandglass Park.
This massive sandglass is turned over at midnight on NYE © Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization
This sandglass is so huge that it takes from the first day of January to the last day of December in Korea for the sand to trickle completely through it. Weighing a whopping 40-tons, it’s turned over precisely at midnight on New Year’s Eve (December 31st).
Yeosu Hyangiram Sunrise Festival | 여수향일암일출제
Festival Dates: Festival Dates: December 31st, 2024 – January 1st, 2025
Address: 70-4, Hyangiram-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do | 전라남도 여수시 돌산읍 향일암로 70-4
Hyangiram Hermitage in Yeosu is one of my favourite places to visit during autumn in Korea, but it’s probably just as worthy for New Year’s Eve.
Watching the sunrise from Hyangiram Hermitage is a wonderful way to bring in the new year.
Hyangiram actually means “hermitage facing the sun,” and its annual Sunrise Festival celebrates that fact. This is an awe-inspiring place to take in the first sunrise of a new year, as it peeks over the horizon and lights up the sea.
Korea in December | What to Wear
Well, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. The Korea weather in December is crazy cold, with temperatures slightly milder at the beginning of the month.
I don’t think that a hanbok is appropriate clothing for Korea in December © Yang Sung-young, Korea Tourism Organization
You might be able to get away with layers of clothing and a thinner jacket if you’re someone that’s usually hot for the first few weeks. However, by the end of the month, I don’t know many people who aren’t freezing cold from the gale-force winds and icy temperatures.
Most Koreans wear “long padding,” jackets and heattech inner wear to deal with the December weather in Korea.
Long padding jackets, “kimo” leggings, and warm boots for December in Korea.
It’ll feel a lot colder once the sun goes down. Hats, scarves, and mittens are recommended to avoid turning into an icicle. Fortunately, it’s easy and affordable to pick up what you need on the fly. This type of gear is literally everywhere.
There’s a good chance it’ll snow at least once in Seoul before the end of December. If the snow sticks around, it’s useful to wear some type of waterproof winter boots, with good tread. The streets can get pretty slippery.
Shoes with good grip are necessary for slippery surfaces.
I wear waterproof sneakers around Seoul, almost year-round. It’s enough for me. If I plan to be outside for a long period of time, or if the snowfall sticks around, I wear waterproof Uggs to keep my toes toasty.
*Personal note: it’s been unseasonably warm so far this year. I’m writing this on November 23rd and it’s still reaching highs of 15°C. If you tolerate cooler climates well, it’s warm enough to be out in a hoodie, jeans, and light jacket during daylight hours. No promises for December in Korea though. The weather changes fast here.
It’ll definitely snow in Seoul before the end of December © Lee Jae-kuk, Korea Tourism Organization
Tips for What to Wear in Korea in December
Come prepared for Korea in December with warm scarves, gloves, and hats © Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization
Visiting Korea in December | Packing List
Here’s a rough guideline of items to pack for the Korea weather in December.
Bring from Home
- travel documents: passport, itineraries, hotel reservations, plane tickets, travel visas, insurance
- adaptor / plug
- long sleeved shirts, sweaters, hoodies, cardigans
- warm pants, leggings, thick tights
- winter skirts or dresses
- sunglasses
- deodorant, feminine hygiene items
- comfortable running shoes for lots of walking (water resistant shoes are good at this time of year)
- warm winter boots if you plan to be outside a lot
- winter gear like a down jacket, scarf, mittens, gloves, and hat, snowpants if you plan to ski or snowboard
- any special medications you might need
Buy in Korea
- umbrella if it rains
- hot packs (at the convenience store or DAISO)
- gloves, scarves, and winter hats are cheap and easy to buy everywhere
- HEATTECH inner layers for warmth (Uniqlo)
- disposable air pollution / medical masks
- batteries / charging cables (super cheap at Daiso)
- skincare products like sunscreen (high quality and cheap in Korea!)
- eyeglasses and contact lenses can be purchased just by walking into a store (a free eye test will be provided)
- birth control can be purchased over the counter, without a prescription (but all brands may not be available)
Ready to plan the perfect magical holiday for Korea in December?
Did this article help you? Writers (and moms especially) need caffeine!
Help support my small business with a cup of coffee.
Korea in December: Essential Info and FAQs
All ready for the perfect trip to South Korea in December? What have you got planned?
