New Year’s Eve in Seoul 2025 | Spectacular Fireworks, Festivals, and Sunrises!

Was 2024 the fastest year on record, or am I just getting old? Wow – this one passed in a literal flash. Fortunately, it was a pretty good flash, and I’m ready to usher in a fresh New Year in Seoul. Are you?

Where will you celebrate the New Year in Seoul?

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• where to see fireworks on New Year’s Eve in Seoul
• the best places to watch the first sunrise of 2025 in Korea
• places to countdown on December 31st
• the best areas to stay for a night of celebrating in Seoul
• what to wear and how to get around

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Seoul

Ringing in a New Year in Seoul doesn’t hold the same cultural significance as Seollal, but that doesn’t mean people don’t head out in force to celebrate the transition from one calendar year to another.

Are you ready to welcome 2025 in Seoul?

If you should find yourself celebrating the New Year in Korea, you’re in luck! Whether your vibe is a huge party with friends, gawking at fireworks, making a wish on a sunrise, or a luxury staycation with the family, you’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice.

Read on to discover the best parties, performances and events to attend in Seoul to countdown to 2025.

Wish lanterns released into the sky for New Year’s Eve in Korea © Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization

*I’ll be updating this article as new events are announced, so check back closer to New Year’s Eve 2025 in Seoul for updated info… events and info tend to be shared last minute in Korea.

Where to Celebrate the New Year in Seoul

As the New Year in Korea approaches, countdowns will be happening all over the city. Here’s some suggestions for where to countdown in Seoul.

The Bosingak Bell is a classic place to countdown © Seoul Metropolitan Government / Penta Press

Bosingak Bell-Ringing Ceremony | 보신각타종행사

Address: 54, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 종로구 종로 54 (관철동)

If you want to ring in the new year (literally), in the most traditional of ways, head over to Jongno and listen to the Bosingak Bell being rung 33 times.

This is a New Year’s Eve in Seoul tradition that’s rooted way back to the Joseon Dynasty Era, when the very same bell was rung to signal the start and end of each day.

The ringing of the Bosingak Bell for NYE is one of Seoul’s oldest traditions © Korea.net (CC BY-SA 2.0)

It’ll be rung by 16 different people, including the Mayor of Seoul, and followed by a fireworks display. It symbolizes prosperity and good luck for the following year.

The ceremony starts at 11PM and ends around 1:30AM. Hundreds of thousands of people head to Jongno area for this New Year Eve’s event in Seoul, so be prepared for some crowds, getting there and back.

The crowds for NYE in Seoul grow every year © Seoul Metropolitan Government / Penta Press

If you prefer to avoid the masses and the frigid temperatures of winter in Korea, this ceremony is also televised, so you can watch from the warmth and comfort of your home or hotel room.

READ NEXT: Myeongdong is close to everything. Here are 15 excellent hotels to book in Myeongdong for New Year’s Eve in Seoul.

Seoul Light DDP 2024 Winter | 서울라이트

Festival Dates: December 21st, 2024 – January 1st, 2025

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 the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Last year, the DDP held a special New Year’s Eve in Seoul countdown and fireworks starting at 23:55PM.

Seoul Light is totally free to see!

Details are yet to be announced for this year’s winter edition, but whatever they’ve got planned is sure to be incredible.

The event is free to attend.

Seoul Winta Festival | 서울윈터페스타

Festival Dates: December 15th, 2023 – January 31st, 2024

Address: Various locations including DDP, Sejongdaero, Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggyecheon, Seoul Square and more

This was a brand new festival taking place for the first time last year in Seoul, and it was a huge success. There are some huge events planned again for this year that link 7 iconic attractions in the city together under the theme of “Light.”

There are a ton of events and lights for WINTA Festival

On New Year’s Eve 2025 in Seoul, countdown to midnight simultaneously at various locations from Bosingak Pavilion to Sejong-daero. Watch out for several light festivals, special performances, and much more. Keep your eyes peeled for more details on their website.

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Lotte World Tower Fireworks | 롯데월드타워

Address: 300, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 송파구 올림픽로 300

There’s usually an incredible display of fireworks off the Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, to mark the coming of the New Year in Seoul. This is the tallest building in Korea, with 123 stories, and it’s truly a sight to behold. Make no mistake about it. This will be dazzling.

The fireworks off Lotte World Tower for New Year in Seoul promise to be epic. Photo by Nchavance (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Last year, there was no announcement about fireworks at Lotte World Tower, but sure enough at the stroke of midnight, fireworks lit up the night sky. I’d expect no different for NYE 2025 in Seoul… and well, you can trust me, because I can see Lotte World Tower from my apartment window!

Check out my video of last year’s new year’s eve fireworks at Lotte World Tower here.

Seoul Arts Center NYE Concert | 예술의전당

Address: 2406, Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 서초구 남부순환로 2406

The New Year’s Eve concert at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho is a really special event.

Fireworks for NYE 2025 © Seoul Arts Center

Last year, those who were lucky enough to get tickets (because it’s not easy), enjoyed a concert, followed by wish balloons, and fireworks on the gorgeous grounds of the centre.

Details haven’t been release for NYE 2205 in Seoul yet, but you can check their website for updates.

Starfield COEX Mall Fireworks | 스타필드 코엑스몰

Address: 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 강남구 영동대로 513 (삼성동)

A few years ago, Starfield Coex Mall surprised us with a drone show utilizing 600 different drones, and fireworks off the top of the building. Nothing has been officially announced yet for 2025, but I’m hopeful there will be a combination of fireworks AND drones to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Seoul.

Previous year’s festivities have included a Coex Winter Festival, “Eat the Seoul” food truck market, daily musical performances on the DaOn Stage, and an ice skating rink at K-Pop Square. I’d expect something similar for Seoul’s new year festivities in 2025.

It’s free to attend, so just head to the area and see what’s happening. Be sure to check out the media light show and Christmas tree at Starfield Library while you’re there.

The Christmas tree at Starfield Library changes every year.

Parties to Ring in the New Year in Seoul

Seoul is known for having an incredible nightlife, so New Year’s Eve in Seoul promises to be truly extraordinary. If your idea of celebrating equals DJs, dancing, parties and music, check out these special events happening on the very last day of 2024.

Wanna celebrate the New Year in Seoul clubbing? There’s lots of choices © Chan Hyuk Moon / Unsplash

2024 Ice Palace New Year’s Eve Countdown Party

When: TBA

Where: Some Sevit | 세빛섬 – 2085-14, Olympic-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 서초구 올림픽대로 2085-14

Bring in the New Year in Korea, dressed in your best blue or white party clothes, at one of the city’s most stunning and iconic venues. After last year’s incredible Gatsby Party, the Ice Palace Party for New Year’s Eve in Seoul 2024 promises to be epic!

Prepare for an excellent night of ice sculptures, performances, 2 separate DJ zones, dancing, a drone show, and prize giveaways, before counting down to the new year.

I don’t know about you, but personally, I can’t think of a more beautiful place to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Seoul than the Some Sevit Floating Islands at Banpo Hangang Park.

Limited Edition Winter Tours in Korea

There’s plenty of of special events for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, but what will you do after? Don’t miss these events and activities that are only available for 2 or 3 months of the year.

Sledding is a great winter activity in Korea ⓒ KTO Lee Beomsu

• 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

All the sparkling lights at Herb Island in Pocheon.

New Year in Korea | Watch the Sunrise

Festival Dates: December 31st, 2024 – January 1st, 2025

Making wishes on the first sunrise of the year is a traditional way to welcome a New Year in Korea. It’s believed that these wishes are more powerful, bringing good luck for the entire year to come – so it’s a super popular way to spend the first day of the year.

Making wishes on the first sunrise of the year is a New Year in Korea tradition.

There are special sunrise events for the new year in Seoul, but it’s worth heading out of the city for a sunrise festival, if this is something you’re interested in.

Achasan Sunrise Festival | 아차산 해맞이축제

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.

Be warned though – this is one of the more popular places to visit to watch a sunrise for the New Year in Seoul. Pre-pandemic, 40,000 visitors attended.

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)

If Achasan is too far from you, you can check out Haneul Park or Maebongsan Mountain to make a wish for the New Year in Korea.

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 on New Year’s Eve in Korea © Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization

This sandglass is so huge that it takes an entire year 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 in Korea.

Homigot Sunrise Festival | 호미곶 한민족 해맞이축전

Festival Dates: December 31st, 2023 – January 1st, 2024

Address:136, Haemaji-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do | 경상북도 포항시 남구 호미곶면 해맞이로 136

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.

You’ll see this striking scene at Homigot Village © Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization

Be sure to sample some free tteokguk – which is a traditional New Year’s Day dish for Koreans.

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.

Ganjeoljot Cape sees Korea’s first sunrise of 2025 © Doit Company, No Sihyeon, Photo Korea

Book a Winter Staycation

With unique packages, decadent meals, and special offers, a staycation in a luxury hotel is an incredibly popular holiday activity for couples and families alike. Book EARLY if this is something you want to do for NYE 2025.

The Fairmont Ambassador has special meals at their Spectrum restaurant for New Year’s Eve in Seoul, while you can enjoy the Lucky Winter package at the JW Marriott Hotel.

And of course, the Grand Hyatt Seoul, with its stunning ice rink, is one of the best places to be during Christmas in Korea.

New Year in Seoul | Clubs

If you’re more of a fly by the seat of your pants kind of person, you could check out any of the big clubs, lounges, or hotels in Seoul. Many will be having special festivities to mark the dawn of the new decade.

*Events haven’t starting showing up for 2024 / 2025 yet. I’ll update as soon as more info becomes available.

Clubs and Hotels to Celebrate New Years Eve in Seoul

*This will be updated as I learn of things.

• Lit Lounge Itaewon | Wu Year’s Eve with DJ Symphony of the Wu-Tang Klan
• Dragon Hill Lodge | 2025 New Years Eve Party

New Year in Seoul | Concerts

If your idea of a new year in Seoul celebration includes K-pop artists, you’re in luck. There are a few performances and concerts specifically being held on the last day of 2022.

Countdown Fantasy 2024 – 2025 | 카운트 다운 판타지

Dates: December 30th – 31st, 2024

Venue: KINTEX Hall 5, 217-60, Kintex-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 경기도 고양시 일산서구 킨텍스로 217-60

Celebrate the new year in Seoul at Countdown Fantasy. Performers include the likes of 87 Dance, ONEWE, Patz, No Brain, and many, many more over the course of 2 days at KINTEX.

Countdown Fantasy happens every NYE in Seoul © Countdown Fantasy

Get full details here.

Countdown Seoul 2024

Prior to that global pandemic, there was a huge K-pop concert and party at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo to countdown the new year in Seoul. I’ll update this if the event goes ahead, but so far, I haven’t heard a thing.

New Year in Seoul | Essential Info

Getting around on New Year’s Eve

Seoul Metro and most bus routes usually end just around midnight, so figuring out how to get around on New Year’s Eve in Seoul is one of the biggest concerns people have… especially if you plan to celebrate right into 2025.

Fortunately, there are a few options, that don’t involve desperately chasing down high-demand taxis, in the freezing cold.

Partying late into the night? © tylerdurden1 (CC BY 2.0)

Seoul Subway

You can take the Seoul subway until 2AM. While there hasn’t been a formal announcement about this yet, subway hours have typically been extended until around 2AM for the new year in Seoul.

Take a Night Bus

Owl bus routes run after midnight. Fares are typically double what they are during the daytime. During New Year’s Eve in Seoul, temporary extended hours and routes are typically added.

Official details haven’t been released for NYE 2025 yet, but this happens every single year. It will happen again this year too. Don’t worry!

What to Wear on New Year’s Eve in Seoul?

If you plan to be outside for any length of time, be sure to bundle up. Seoul’s weather has a way of sneaking up on you. It feels okay at first, but once it seeps into your bones, getting warm is pretty much impossible. It’s intensely cold in Korea during winter, especially after the sun goes down.

New Year’s Eve in Seoul can be incredibly cold. Dress warm!

I recommend thermals or heattechs, hot packs in your pockets, warm gloves, thick socks, hat or earmuffs, and a parka of some kind. If it’s a windy evening, you can also consider a scarf or mask to cover your face. (You can pick facemasks up in any convenience store or pharmacy).

Essentially, you should try to cover as much of your exposed skin as possible, when you’re outside.

Hope all your dreams come true in 2025. Happy new year!

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