Korean department stores take Christmas seriously. As winter approaches each year, department stores across Korea turn city streets into a glowing festival of lights with imaginative concepts and meticulously crafted displays. After a year of planning, their creations finally come to life. Now is the perfect time to witness the Christmas magic unfold before your eyes!

The media façade “Shinsegae Square” on the exterior of the SHINSEGAE THE MAIN, the main store in Myeong-dong, fills its surrounding atmosphere with Christmas cheer. A massive LED screen covering the building’s front façade plays a three-minute video titled “The Magical World Connecting Time.” Sparkling lights, bursts of fireworks, and a lively Christmas party unfold across the display, accompanied by carols from the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, lending a classic resonance. At the Gangnam store’s “House of Shinsegae,” a year-end video celebrating the romance and wonder of Christmas plays at the top of every hour.

European-style Christmas markets, “Shinsegae Wonderland,” are held at both SHINSEGAE main store and Gangnam store. At the Gangnam store, visitors can stroll along the beautifully lit “Tree Road,” lined with festive decorations and pop-up stores. A DJ booth fills the space with Christmas carols and holiday-themed music, adding to the year-end excitement. The main store’s market is perfect for a quick break while shopping around Myeong-dong, offering warm desserts and limited-edition ornaments available only here.

SHINSEGAE Centum City in Busan has transformed into a “Musical Wonderland” inspired by stage musicals. In the central atrium on B2, a stage with vibrant lighting is set around a 4.5-meter Christmas tree. At the Hologram Wall, actors appear in realistic video performances synchronized with musical numbers. The Hologram Photo Booth also allows visitors to take a special photo that looks as if they are standing alongside the performers.

- If you want to enjoy the Shinsegae Square media façade at the Main Store from a warm indoor setting, the Starbucks Central Post Office branch directly across the street is a great place to hang out.
- At the Gangnam Store Christmas Market, don’t miss the Mini Toy Gacha Shop, where you can try your luck at drawing character merch and limited-edition toys.

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At The Hyundai Seoul, the fifth-floor indoor garden “Sounds Forest” transforms into a themed Christmas village each year. This season’s concept, “Harry’s Christmas Atelier (Atelier de Noël),” tells the story of Harry—the department store’s baby-bear character—preparing gifts in place of Santa and Rudolph, who have caught a cold. The space is designed as five cozy cabins: Santa’s House, the Letter Atelier, the Gift Atelier, the Wrapping Atelier, and Rudolph’s House. Visitors can write handwritten letters in the Letter Atelier or enjoy wrapping gifts in the Wrapping Atelier. The Gift Atelier features moving miniatures, such as a tiny train carrying presents and an owl delivering letters, which add a lively, playful touch to the scene.

At Hyundai’s major branches across the country, Harry the Baby Bear’s Christmas story continues, adding to the festive fun. Large Christmas trees and photo spots are set up at the Apgujeong Main Store and Trade Center Store, while the Pangyo Store features a giant owl sculpture carrying Christmas gifts. At Gimpo Premium Outlets, a 13-meter Christmas tree and Santa’s House decorate the outdoor plaza, with special photo zones where visitors can take pictures with Harry throughout the space.

H Village operates on an advance-reservation system, but bookings are only accepted through an online form on Naver (a Korean portal site). Because demand is extremely high, securing a spot can be difficult for both Korean and international visitors. You can also register for the waiting list on-site by scanning a QR code, which is located near the escalators on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors.
After scanning the QR code, open the link and keep the page active—do not close it. At 11:30 a.m., refresh the page to complete your waiting-list registration. Once registered, your queue number will be sent via KakaoTalk, a Korean messaging app. Make sure to download and sign up for the KakaoTalk app in advance so you can receive notifications.

If you don’t have KakaoTalk, you can visit the entrance to the Christmas Atelier on the 5th floor (in front of the LG store) and receive a separate waiting card with staff assistance. Simply return at your designated time and present the card to enter. Each card admits up to four people; groups larger than four must divide into smaller groups and receive additional waiting cards.

- Sounds Forest at The Hyundai Seoul is built with a glass ceiling that lets in plenty of natural light, so if you want to capture the twinkling lights in your photos, it’s best to visit around sunset.
- Even if you aren’t able to secure a reservation, you can still enjoy the full view and atmosphere from the 6th-floor dining area overlooking the entire space.

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Lotte Department Store’s Christmas façade adds a warm holiday glow to the city landscape every winter. This year’s theme, “Sweet Holidays,” stars Tonttu, a Christmas elf character illustrated by French artist Nathalie Lété, and his friends. More than 30,000 shimmering LED lights illuminate the exterior of the Myeongdong Main Store and Jamsil Avenuel. At the main store, a 13-meter Christmas tree and a moving show window welcome visitors. The display features scenes introducing the Christmas market held in Jamsil, adding an extra touch of charm and detail.

In the outdoor plaza “World Park” in front of Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, the Lotte Town Christmas Market unfolds across a sprawling 800-pyeong space. Visitors can browse handmade crafts and Christmas decorations, and enjoy warm mulled wine and seasonal snacks while taking in the twinkling lights and festive music. A two-story carousel and a snow-shower experience—where artificial snow gently falls—further elevate the festive Christmas atmosphere. Entry is simple: guests can register for the waiting line on-site by scanning a QR code.

The Busan Main Store also transforms into a Christmas landmark in the heart of the city. On the first basement floor, the signature pop-up zone hosts a “Christmas Market” filled with colorful gifts and decorations, accompanied by carols and themed photo spots that create a warm year-end atmosphere. At the main entrance, a “Sweet Holidays”-themed tree-forest photo zone welcomes visitors, and a special Christmas event with the official Santa from Finland is also scheduled to take place.

- If you take a photo in front of the Apple Store at Exit 6 of Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station, you can capture the entire illuminated façade of the Lotte Department Store Main Store in a single frame.

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* This column was last updated in November 2025, and therefore the information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check for updates before visiting.