Seoul in December
Weather, winter opening hours, closed days and tax refund
Weather
Nights are below freezing on average, so plan the outdoor part of the day around midday.
Source: Korea Meteorological Administration, 1991–2020 normals (Seoul), checked Oct 29, 2026
Winter opening hours
- Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁From November to February it is 09:00-17:00. Last admission is one hour before closing, so arriving late afternoon in winter does not work.
- Changdeokgung Secret Garden 창덕궁 후원The last one is at 15:00 from November to February, and at 16:00 from March to October.
- Bamdokkaebi Banpo 밤도깨비야시장 반포Runs Friday to Sunday, 18:00-23:00, all year, so winter works too.
- Seoul Grand Park Zoo 서울대공원 동물원Open year-round, 09:00-19:00 in summer and 09:00-17:00 in winter.
- Seodaemun Prison History Hall 서대문형무소역사관09:30-18:00 in summer, 09:30-17:00 in winter.
- MMCA Seoul 국립현대미술관 서울It closes for the day on the first Tuesday of June, September, and December.
- Cheonggyecheon Night Walk 청계천 야간산책In winter the lantern festival overlaps with the Bamdokkaebi Night Market's Cheonggyecheon site on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
From the A-CHA place notes. Tap a place for its hours, price and Korean name for the taxi.
Closed days
Closed on Mondays
After dark
- Cheonggyecheon Night Walk 청계천 야간산책The stream is lit every night.
- N Seoul Tower N서울타워 전망대Open 10:00-23:00.
- Deoksugung Stone Wall Road 덕수궁 돌담길Open in the evening until 21:00.
- DDP Night Illumination DDP 야간 경관조명The LED rose garden and Seoul Light only run in season, so check the schedule first.
- SEOUL SKY 서울스카이 전망대Sunday to Thursday 10:30-22:00, Friday, Saturday and holidays 10:30-23:00.
- Yongsan Jjimjilbang 용산 찜질방Most run 24 hours, which makes them a refuge from heatwaves and cold snaps.
- Nodeul Island 노들섬A culture and rest space looking over the Han River - best as a light evening stop on a day when something is on.
Indoors when it is cold
- MMCA Seoul 국립현대미술관 서울
- Tongin Market Coin Lunchbox 통인시장 엽전도시락
- N Seoul Tower N서울타워 전망대
- Namsan Cable Car 남산 케이블카
- Seoul Museum of Art 서울시립미술관 서소문
- Starfield Library COEX 코엑스 별마당도서관
- SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium 코엑스 아쿠아리움
- SEOUL SKY 서울스카이 전망대
- Seongsu Pop-up Tour 성수 팝업스토어 투어
- Leeum Museum of Art 리움미술관
- National Museum of Korea 국립중앙박물관
- Yongsan Jjimjilbang 용산 찜질방
- Olive Young Myeongdong Town 올리브영 명동 타운
- Seoul Museum of Craft Art 서울공예박물관
Christmas and New Year
The 2026 dates were not announced when we checked on Oct 29, 2026. These are last year's dates.
- Seoul Winter FestaDec 12, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- Gwanghwamun Christmas MarketDec 12–31, 2025 · 17:30–21:30 (Dec 31 until 24:00)
- Seoul Lantern Festival, CheonggyecheonDec 12, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026 · 18:00–22:00
- Seoul Light DDPDec 18–31, 2025 · 18:00–21:30
Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government media hub, Dec 16 2025, checked Oct 29, 2026
Tax refund in the shop
- For foreigners staying in Korea less than 6 months. Show your passport.
- Each receipt: 15,000 won or more and under 1 million won.
- Up to 5 million won in total.
- Goods must leave Korea within 3 months.
Source: Korea Tourism Organization, tax refund guide, checked Oct 29, 2026
Questions
How cold is Seoul in December?
The 1991–2020 normals for Seoul in December are an average high of 4.2°C and an average low of -3.4°C, with 22.6 mm of precipitation for the month.
Which places in Seoul are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays?
Closed on Mondays: Changdeokgung Secret Garden, Changgyeonggung Palace, Namsangol Hanok Village, Deoksugung Stone Wall Road, Seoul Museum of Art, Leeum Museum of Art, War Memorial of Korea, Seodaemun Prison History Hall. Closed on Tuesdays: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, Tongin Market Coin Lunchbox, Grain Seoul.
Can I get a tax refund in the shop?
Yes, at shops that offer immediate tax refund, if you are a foreigner staying in Korea for less than 6 months. Show your passport. Each receipt must be 15,000 won or more and under 1 million won, up to 5 million won in total. Goods must leave Korea within 3 months.