Korea Guide: Where To Celebrate The New Year 2025

About Korean New Year's Traditions

Firstly, Koreans follow two calendar systems: the Gregorian calendar system and the lunar calendar. While the Gregorian calendar is most commonly used, the lunar calendar still holds traditional value. The Gregorian New Year (January 1st) and the Lunar New Year (Seollal, 설날) are two distinct celebrations, each with unique customs, significance, and timing. Regarding the Gregorian New Year, there are a few Korean traditions:

1. Celebrating The First Sunrise 

Watching the first sunrise of the year is a cherished New Year tradition in Korea, symbolizing renewal, hope, and good fortune. People travel to scenic locations to witness this awe-inspiring moment and make wishes or resolutions for the year ahead. Some locations also host festivals with performances and communal activities.

2. Bell Ringing

The Bell Ringing Ceremony at Bosingak in Seoul is another New Year tradition. The historic bell rings 33 times at midnight, marking the start of the year and symbolizing harmony and good fortune. Thousands gather in central Seoul to participate, with the ceremony accompanied by live performances and celebrations.

3. Parties and Fireworks

Modern celebrations also include vibrant fireworks displays and countdown parties across major cities. Spots like Lotte World Tower in Seoul and Haeundae Beach in Busan light up with dazzling fireworks, while concerts and themed parties bring people together to welcome the New Year. 

Seoul

Lotte Tower, Seoul's tallest building, is one of the most popular spots to celebrate New Year‘s Eve. While no official announcement has been made yet, the venue has consistently hosted a spectacular light show and fireworks displays in previous years. So it is expected that it will be no different this year! 

LOTTE WORLD TOWER

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Lotte World Tower is a supertall skyscraper located in the Songpa District of Seoul. Standing at 555 meters (1,821 feet) with 123 floors, it is the tallest building in South Korea and the sixth tallest in the world.

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On December 31, 2024, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) will host a vibrant New Year's Eve celebration featuring dynamic stage performances and a spectacular fireworks display. The event will commence at 11:00 PM and continue into the early hours of January 1, 2025, concluding at 1:30 AM. Attendees can enjoy the festivities from Oullim Square and Design Street, with free admission for all. 

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

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Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is a prominent cultural and design hub in Seoul, South Korea, known for its striking neofuturistic architecture designed by Zaha Hadid.

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Seoul Light DDP: New Year's Day Countdown

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Sevit Island is one of the most popular places in Seoul to celebrate the new year. Every year, there is a themed party with performances, DJ zones, dancing, and a drone show. Tickets are available on websites like Trazy. Tickets for this year's "Moulin Rouge" Party are unfortunately already sold out. 

Sevit Island

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Sevit Island, also known as Sebitseom, is a man-made floating complex on the Han River in Seoul, South Korea. It consists of three interconnected islands, each hosting a range of attractions including restaurants, event spaces, and cultural exhibits.

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On New Year's Eve 2024/2025, the Bosingak Bell-Ringing Ceremony in Jongno, Seoul, will be a highlight of the celebrations. This traditional event, rooted in the Joseon Dynasty, draws thousands of attendees who gather to witness the bell being rung 33 times at midnight, symbolizing peace and prosperity for the new year. The ceremony begins at 11 PM and features various performances, including traditional music and dance. City officials, including the Mayor of Seoul, will participate in this cherished ritual, which is broadcast nationwide. Surrounding streets will be closed to accommodate the large crowds.

Bosingak Bell

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Bosingak is a historic bell pavilion located in Jongno, Seoul, South Korea. Originally built in 1395, it houses a bell cast in 1468 during the Joseon Dynasty. The bell was used to signal the opening and closing of city gates and is famous for its role in the New Year’s Eve celebrations, where it is rung 33 times at midnight. The original bell is now displayed at the National Museum of Korea, and a replica is in the pavilion. Bosingak serves as both a cultural landmark and a symbol of Seoul's rich heritage.

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Busan

New Year's Eve at Haeundae Beach features celebrations with a countdown, spectacular fireworks, and live performances, including music and dance. Following the midnight festivities, many stay to witness the first sunrise of the new year. The event also includes cultural activities like choir performances and sculptures, attracting large crowds every year.

Haeundae Beach

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Haeundae is the most well-known beach in central Busan. The area is especially scenic in the evening or at night.

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Gangneung

Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival (정동진 해맞이 축제) is a popular New Year's celebration held at Jeongdongjin Sandglass Park in Gangneung. This festival attracts many visitors who gather to witness the first sunrise of the new year over the East Sea. A key feature of the festival is the turning of a massive sandglass, one of the largest in the world, which marks the beginning of the new year at midnight. The festival also includes a vibrant fireworks display and performances by various artists. The event is free and open to visitors of all ages.

Jeongdongjin Beach

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Jeongdongjin Beach, located in Gangneung, South Korea, is a beautiful sandy beach known for its stunning sunrises. The beach is about 250 meters long and is a popular summer destination, especially for swimming. Key attractions include the unique Sun Cruise Resort, designed like a cruise ship, and the world's largest sandglass nearby.

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The Gyeongpo Sunrise Festival (경포 해맞이 축제) is another annual New Year's celebration held in Gangneung. You can expect a festive countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve, fireworks, and several performances.

Gyeongpodae beach

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Gyeongpodae Beach, located in Gangneung, South Korea, is one of the largest and most popular beaches on the East Coast, stretching approximately 6 kilometers.

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Pohang

The Homigot Sunrise Festival (호미곶 한민족 해맞이축전) celebrates the first sunrise of the year in Pohang, a city in the southeast of Korea.

Homigot is renowned for its brilliant yellow and golden sunrise scenery, making it one of the most popular places in Korea for watching the New Year's first sunrise. 

Homigot Sunrise Square

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Homigot Sunrise Square, located at the easternmost point of the Korean peninsula in Pohang, South Korea, is renowned for being the first place in Korea to witness the sunrise each year. This scenic area features the Hands of Harmony, a striking bronze sculpture symbolizing coexistence, with one hand emerging from the land and the other from the sea.

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Jeju Island

Every year, the Seongsan Sunrise Festival (제주성산일출축제) is celebrated near Seongsan Ilchulbong in Jeju, also known as Sunrise Peak. 

The first sunrise of the year is celebrated with traditional performances, fireworks, a concert and more. 

Seongsan Ilchulbong

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Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak, is a prominent geological feature located on the eastern coast of Jeju Island. It is an archetypal tuff cone formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions approximately 5,000 years ago. The peak stands 182 meters high and features a well-preserved bowl-like crater, which is about 600 meters in diameter.

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