A Winter Night Street of Lights in the City: Want to Walk the Gwangbok-ro Winter Light Tree Festival Together?
Introduction
On a winter night in Busan brushed by a chilly sea breeze, countless tree lights settle quietly over Gwangbok-ro in place of the stars. As you walk along the street of lights that turn on and sparkle with each passing step, you’ll find yourself wanting to leave at least one scene from this winter here.
A Winter Night Street of Lights in the City: Want to Walk the Gwangbok
Table of Contents
- Guide
- Program Information
- Visit (Planned) Impressions
- Accommodation Recommendations
- Restaurants & Cafes
- Nearby Attractions
- How to Get There
- Closing
- Photo Snapshots
- Videos
- Related News
Guide
- Festival Name : Gwangbok-ro Winter Light Tree Festival
- Dates : 2025-12-05 ~ 2026-02-22
- Operating Hours : 17:30~22:00
- Location : 72-1 Gwangbok-ro, Jung-gu, Busan (Gwangbok-dong 2-ga), around Gwangbok-ro and Gwangbokjungang-ro
- Theme : K-Nuri (From Gwangbok to the World)
- Admission : Free
- Host : Jung-gu Office, Busan
- Inquiries : 051-714-4758
- 17:00 Arrive around Nampo Station and take a look around the photo zones in advance near the Gwangbok-ro City Spot main tree
- 17:30 Enjoy the pre-ceremony ocarina performance at the special stage in front of the main tree, then join the countdown lighting ceremony
- 18:00 Stroll along the street of lights on Gwangbok-ro and Gwangbokjungang-ro, following the trees, media facade, and responsive media content
- 19:00 Enjoy the year-end and Christmas atmosphere while watching the Gwangbok-ro Winter Light Concert busking performances
- 20:00 On December 20–21, join hands-on programs such as a Christmas cooking class and mini tree-making
- 21:00 Wrap up with citizen-participation lighting events and costume character photo time, then move on to a nearby cafe or your accommodation
As the festival runs at night, it’s best to dress warmly.
Busan’s signature winter tree festival returns once again, glowing with brilliant winter lights infused with K-culture. Starting with a one-time highlight countdown lighting ceremony on December 5, 2025, the area around Gwangbok-ro and Gwangbokjungang-ro will transform into a street of lights through February 22, 2026.
This year’s festival, themed “K-Nuri (From Gwangbok to the World),” presents a nighttime landscape where various media arts blend together, including anamorphic 3D techniques, media trees, responsive media content, and media facades. With busking performances by local Busan musicians, a citizen-participation lighting ceremony, and hands-on programs like a Christmas cooking class and mini tree-making, it creates an urban winter walking route where light, music, and experiences come together.
Program Information
At 5:30 p.m. on December 5, 2025, a lighting ceremony will take place at the special stage in front of the Gwangbok-ro City Spot main tree, during which the entire stretch of Gwangbok-ro will light up with a countdown. The emotional ballad duo Yurisangja will give a celebratory performance following the pre-ceremony ocarina concert, making this one-time opening moment of the winter especially memorable.
Throughout the festival, musicians active in the Busan area will present busking performances that match the mood of the year-end, New Year’s, and Christmas season. Music will flow through the street bathed in light, and you can enjoy the performances freely as you stroll along.
On the weekend of December 20–21, hands-on programs such as a Christmas cooking class and mini tree-making will be offered. Participation is available through advance reservation, and it’s a great way to spend warm, unhurried time making and sharing with family, partners, or friends.
Once a month during the festival period, a hands-on lighting program will be held where citizens can directly switch on the tree lights. You can participate by applying in advance and come away with a special memory of lighting up Gwangbok-ro’s night with your own hands.
On the weekend of December 20–21, costume characters reflecting this year’s concept will roam throughout the Gwangbok-ro area and interact with visitors. Photo times and small events will pop up here and there, giving you plenty of chances to capture great shots.
Anamorphic 3D techniques, a large media tree, responsive media content, and media facades will fill Gwangbok-ro and the Fountain Plaza area. As you walk through streets where lighting and video blend together, you can experience a unique winter night where Korean cultural content meets night scenery.
The lighting ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m., so it’s best to arrive a bit early, explore the nearby photo zones first, and secure a spot so you can enjoy the event more comfortably.
Because many scenes feature strong contrast from the lights, try lowering the exposure by one or two stops, or take multiple shots to get more stable results.
After 6 p.m., crowds can become heavy. Choosing an earlier or later time slot or using public transportation will make your route much more relaxed.
As the festival is held at night, bringing winter accessories such as a scarf and gloves will help you stroll the street of lights comfortably for longer.
Because the night lights are quite bright, double-check your exposure settings when taking photos.
If you avoid peak hours (after 18:00), you can enjoy a more relaxed visit.
Visit (Planned) Impressions
Today is December 1, 2025, and the Gwangbok-ro Winter Light Tree Festival is about to begin. The festival will open on December 5, 2025, and continue through February 22, 2026. There’s a sense of excitement in the air as we look forward to the upcoming event. The festival site is already hinting at its atmosphere with various emotional installations. The Gwangbok-ro City Spot main tree will feature immersive anamorphic video technology, so when the tree lights up, it may feel as if the whole street has come to life. At the Fountain Plaza, a light fountain, a large tree, and responsive media content will be harmoniously installed, while sculptures that blend K-POP and traditional culture will fill the night air along the surrounding streets.
The lighting ceremony marking the start of the festival will be held at 5:30 p.m. on December 5 on the special stage in front of the main tree. It will include a sweet celebratory performance by Yurisangja, and together with pre-ceremony performances such as ocarina music, the countdown moment when the lights turn on is sure to become a special memory. In addition, on the weekend of December 20–21, weekend hands-on programs will be offered, with warm, crafty experiences such as cooking classes and mini tree-making. On a cold winter night, the sound of lights spreading, people’s laughter, and the subtle contrast of light and shadow make you imagine the moving scenes in advance.
In the wind that makes you pull your coat tighter, it feels like the warm lights will brighten the winter inside my heart, and that makes me look forward to it even more. I want to capture many memorable scenes in the small photo zones that sparkle in each alley of Gwangbok-ro, under lights that settle like snow. If you remember the time of the lighting ceremony and the schedule of the hands-on programs in advance, you’ll be able to slowly enjoy the moments you most want to see without missing them.
Accommodation Recommendations
The Gwangbok-ro Winter Light Tree Festival is close to Nampo Station, Busan Station, and the Yeongdo area, so accommodations in Jung-gu, Dong-gu, and Yeongdo-gu within walking distance are especially convenient. The lodgings below offer good public transport access and are relatively easy to reach even late at night after the festival.
11 Taejong-ro 65beon-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (Daegyo-dong 1-ga)
A city and harbor view hotel near Busan Port and Yeongdodaegyo Bridge
A good choice if you want to enjoy both the sea off Yeongdo and the old downtown.
Distance: 0.8 km
114 Jungang-daero, Jung-gu, Busan (Jungang-dong 4-ga)
A business & tourist hotel located between Busan Station and Nampo-dong
Convenient if you plan to stay several nights and tour Busan’s old downtown along with other areas.
Distance: 1.1 km
265 Daeyeong-ro, Dong-gu, Busan
An urban-style accommodation near Busan Station
Suitable for a short stay combined with KTX/SRT schedules.
Distance: 1.6 km
12-5 Jungang-daero 196beon-gil, Dong-gu, Busan
A value-for-money hotel with convenient transport near Busan Station
Well-suited for late-night arrivals or early-morning departures.
Distance: 1.8 km
10 Jungang-daero 196beon-gil, Dong-gu, Busan (Busan Station Ramada Encore Hotel)
A global chain hotel near Busan Station
A reliable option if your itinerary involves frequent public transport transfers.
Distance: 1.9 km
9 Jungang-daero 236beon-gil, Dong-gu, Busan (Hound Hotel)
A sensibly priced, mood-filled boutique hotel near Busan Station
Ideal for enjoying the festival along with a tour of cafes and restaurants in downtown Busan.
Distance: 2.3 km
27 Deungdae-ro, Seo-gu, Busan (Amnam-dong)
A deluxe ocean-view hotel on the Amnam-dong coast
A great match if you want to enjoy a calm coastal retreat along with the tree festival.
Distance: 2.4 km
20-11 Hwangnyeong-daero 7beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan (Beomcheon-dong)
An urban hotel adjacent to the Seomyeon commercial district
A good choice if you’d like to enjoy the tree festival together with Seomyeon’s night view and shopping.
Distance: 6.1 km
Considering public transport access, lodgings in Jung-gu, Dong-gu, and Yeongdo are convenient for getting around.
Restaurants & Cafes
If you widen your travel radius from the festival site to include Yeongdo, Seo-gu, and Busanjin-gu, you can explore a wide variety of bakeries, cafes, and restaurants. Here are places that are particularly good for a light visit before or after walking the street of lights.
214 Bongnae-naru-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (Bongnae-dong 2-ga)
An atmospheric cafe where you can look out over both the sea off Yeongdo and the city
Perfect for some calm time before or after the tree festival.
Distance: 1.1 km
807 Hanasil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (Cheonghak-dong)
A Yeongdo cafe where you can enjoy both the view and the atmosphere
Great for sea views by day and city lights by night.
Distance: 2.1 km
13 Wachi-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (Cheonghak-dong)
A popular restaurant in the Yeongdo area
If you plan to explore the Yeongdo area, it’s easy to include in your course along with a meal.
Distance: 2.4 km
33 Eomgwangsan-ro, Seo-gu, Busan (Seodaesin-dong 3-ga)
A bakery cafe set in a garden-like atmosphere
It pairs well with a course where you stop by during the day and then head to Gwangbok-ro in the evening.
Distance: 4.0 km
134 Eomgwang-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan (Gaya-dong)
A meat restaurant specializing in Korean beef (Hanwoo) dishes
After a hearty meal, you can also enjoy the night views around Seomyeon and Nampo.
Distance: 5.4 km
672 Jungang-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan (Bujeon-dong)
A Korean restaurant where you can enjoy a satisfying meal
A good choice for a meal if you’re planning to explore Seomyeon before or after the festival.
Distance: 6.5 km
145 Bunpo-ro, Nam-gu, Busan (Yongho-dong, The W)
A bakery & dessert cafe where you can enjoy coastal views
Pairs well with a course where you enjoy coastal views in Nam-gu by day and the Gwangbok-ro tree festival at night.
Distance: 8.1 km
On weekend evenings, popular cafes and restaurants may have waiting lines, so it’s best to allow extra travel time.
Nearby Attractions
The Gwangbok-ro Winter Light Tree Festival connects well with a number of attractions in Busan’s old downtown, Yeongdo, and Seo-gu, making it easy to plan a full-day itinerary. We recommend visiting observatories, parks, and activity spaces during the day and then returning to Gwangbok-ro after sunset to walk the street of lights.
Dongdaesin-dong 2-ga, Seo-gu, Busan
A monorail that takes you comfortably up the hill and a night-view spot
Enjoy city views by day, then head to the tree festival and continue with the old downtown nightscape in the evening.
Distance: 1.9 km
72 Chansaemi-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (Bongnae-dong 5-ga)
A wooden boat experience space near the Yeongdo coastline
After spending time in sea-scented Yeongdo, it’s nice to move on to Gwangbok-ro at night to see the lights.
Distance: 1.9 km
164 I-sunshin-daero, Dong-gu, Busan (Choryang-dong)
A marine waterside park ideal for strolling while looking over Busan Port
After a sunset walk, it’s great to continue by enjoying the harbor nightscape and the Gwangbok-ro tree festival.
Distance: 2.1 km
248-1 Jeolyeong-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (Yeongseon-dong 4-ga)
An emotional Yeongdo space where flowers and scenery come together
A nice stop along a Yeongdo walk before heading to Nampo-dong in the evening to enjoy the festival lights.
Distance: 2.8 km
125 Beomil-ro, Dong-gu, Busan (Beomil-dong)
A complex cultural and exhibition space
Visit various exhibitions during the day, then head to the old downtown in the evening for the tree festival.
Distance: 5.3 km
55 Taejong-ro 836beon-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (Dongsam-dong)
An experience-based theme park near Taejongdae
After meeting the sea at the edge of Yeongdo, it’s also nice to head into the city at night to see the lights of Gwangbok-ro.
Distance: 5.8 km
40 Seojeon-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan (Jeonpo-dong)
An emotional space near the Jeonpo-dong cafe street
Works well as a downtown + Seomyeon course where you enjoy the Jeonpo-dong cafe street by day and Gwangbok-ro’s lights by night.
Distance: 7.1 km
72 Jangnim-ro 93beon-gil, Saha-gu, Busan (Jangnim-dong)
A sunset observatory where you can enjoy both sunsets and night views
Watch the sunset at Jangnim Port at dusk, then continue with the city lights at the Gwangbok-ro tree festival at night.
Distance: 7.5 km
Temperatures can drop quickly around sunset, so make sure you’re well prepared for the cold.
How to Get There
Public Transportation — For the festival venue at 72-1 Gwangbok-ro, Jung-gu, Busan (Gwangbok-dong 2-ga), you can easily walk from Nampo Station on Subway Line 1. Numerous bus routes stop at Gwangbok-ro and Nampo-dong stops, making it convenient to come by public transport from both the old downtown and other areas.
Car — If you are driving, you can use nearby parking facilities such as Jagalchi Public Parking Lot, Namhang Port Area Public Parking Lot, Yongdugan Park Public Parking Lot, Sinchang Public Parking Lot, and Bupyeong Public Parking Lot. However, heavy parking congestion is expected during the festival period, so public transportation is recommended whenever possible.
If you walk from Nampo Station, take your time strolling past the Gwangbok-ro shops as you head to the festival site.
Closing
In the heart of Busan, where the winter sea breeze blows through the city, the Gwangbok-ro Winter Light Tree Festival offers a walking path guided by lights like stars. From the countdown of the lighting ceremony to the media trees and luminous installations that fill the streets, you’ll naturally find yourself wanting to walk here at least once this winter.
At this time when the excitement of year-end meets the resolutions of the New Year, bundle up warmly and take a slow stroll among the city lights. The brief conversations and laughter you share with your loved ones under the sparkling lights may become the most enduring memory of this winter.
