02 Jan
There’s no shortage of festivities to explore during the holiday season in Korea. New Year’s in Korea is arguably even better in my opinion! One great part of spending New Year’s in Korea? Odds are, you’ll be ahead of your friends and family (if you are from North America), which means you get to be the first to wish them a happy new year! Aside from that nice little perk, here are some great ways to celebrate New Year’s in Korea.
Fireworks And Countdown
If you are in Seoul on New Year’s Eve, you’ll definitely be seeing fireworks in the Sky. One show is organized by Lotte Tower – the largest building in Korea! Here’s a video of last year’s show.
Another great place to celebrate the countdown is at COEX Mall in Gangnam. The show includes performances by K-pop groups, appearances by celebrities, and of course, fireworks! Here’s a 1st-person view of the festivities from Modo Aventurero.
Specials At Bars And Clubs
A lot of bars, especially in popular nightlife areas like Hongdae and Itaewon, offer drink specials for the holiday and have live music to help you celebrate. My recommendation for a fun NYE? Fill up on Korean BBQ, check out the clubs in Itaewon, and end the night (or morning) with karaoke.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
I’m obsessed with the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Located in Seoul, the design plaza has frequent light shows. I was lucky enough to catch one last Christmas, and it was magical. This year for NYE, the festivities will last until 1:30 a.m. and you can count on another incredible light show with the theme of hope and encouragement! Plus, it’s close to Myeong-dong, a popular area for drinking and tourism!
Lunar New Year
Koreans also celebrate Lunar New Year, which usually happens towards the end of January or early February. Lunar New Year is a time for exchanging gifts, eating lots of great food (especially mandu), and dressing in hanboks! With some time off from work, this is a great time to keep celebrating with friends or go on a trip in Korea or abroad. You can read about my Lunar New Year trip to Japan from last year here!
Diana Richtman, Marketing Assistant
Diana Richtman is a writer and ESL teacher living in Seoul, South Korea. Originally from Savannah, Georgia in the United States, Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in English & Women’s Studies. After receiving her TEFL certification, Diana moved to South Korea where she works at one of Creverse’s April Institutes. When Diana isn’t working, she loves exploring Korea, drinking warm cups of tea, and scaring away her friends with her karaoke performances.