A Christmas market is coming to Gwanghwamun Square, promising to be one of the top ‘hot photo spots’ this winter.

The city of Seoul will hold the Seoul Winter Festa in Gwanghwamun starting Dec. 15. The Christmas market will be held at Gwanghwamun Square from Dec. 15 to Jan. 21, and at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) from Dec. 21 to Dec. 30.

The pilot market,opened at Gwanghwamun Square last year, attracted 540,000 people. Fueled by its popularity, this year’s market will double its size. There will be more than 160 vendors from 83 booths selling food, handicrafts, and more. Seoul Metropolitan Government’s merchandise shops will also be open at the Christmas market for the first time.

Seoul Plaza, Cheonggye Stream area, Sejong-ro Park, Gwanghwamun Square, and other parts of the city center will be illuminated. It will be filled with colorful lights, including an 800-meter media façade (media features on the exterior walls of buildings) and giant hanji (Korean traditional homemade paper) lanterns.

The New Year Countdown r will be held at Bosingak (large bell pavilion on Jongno) and DDP. New this year, DDP will host influencers from around the world to livestream the countdown together.

The Seoul Plaza Skating Rink, accessible to the public every winter, will be available until Feb. 11 next year. Aligned with the Seoul Lantern Festival, colorful lanterns and lightings will dye the skate rink with beautiful shades.

Seoul’s new city brand, “SEOUL, MY SOUL” merchandise shop will also debut at Gwanghwamun Market. The shop sells hoodies, slippers, ballpoint pens, and more.

Choi Kyung-ju, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Culture Division, said, “The festival will make Seoul a ‘global cultural destination,’ and we will prepare all relevant areas, including safety and viewing convenience, to welcome the world to the largest urban winter festival.”