When to go · Seoul
Seoul in December
Mixed month. Cold; short days.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 4° / -3°
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- Medium
- South Korea overall
- Prices
- Medium
- South Korea overall
Verdict
Cold; short days.
Weather in December
- SeoulHighs around 4 °C, lows around -3 °C, rain on about 8 days
- Seoul and north-west, South Korea · Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, the DMZcool
Continental: dry winters down to −15 °C on cold snaps, hot humid summers. Fine dust (yellow dust and pollution) peaks Mar–Apr; the monsoon runs late Jun – Jul.
Winter season
Crisp blue days, hot street snacks, Christmas lights and ice rinks.
Watch: −10 °C mornings and wind; Seollal closures.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas and year-end lights
December · Myeongdong (department-store façades), Cheonggyecheon, Gwanghwamun market
Evening crowds on the shopping streets.
New Year bell ringing
31 December, midnight · Bosingak pavilion, Jongno
Streets around Jongno close; the subway runs late that night (check).
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · South Korea overall
- Medium
- Prices · South Korea overall
- Medium
South Korea overall: Cold and dry; Christmas markets and lights in Seoul; ski season opens.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket