Seoul Light Coloring the Winter Nights of Gwanghwamun: A Journey Through Waves of Light
Introduction
When the cold air of a winter night fills Gwanghwamun Square, the city’s breath quietly turns into light and slowly begins to color its surroundings. As the media facade and light installations flicker on one by one above the still darkness, everyday scenery seems to pause, and you feel as if you’re setting off on a quiet journey, following the waves of light unfolding before your eyes.
Seoul Light Coloring the Winter Nights of Gwanghwamun: A Journey Through Waves of Light
Contents
- Guide
- Program Information
- Visit (Planned) Impressions
- Accommodation Recommendations
- Restaurants & Cafés
- Nearby Attractions
- How to Get There
- Closing
- Photo Snapshots
- Videos
- Related News
Guide
- Event Name : Seoul Light Gwanghwamun
- Period : December 12, 2025 ~ January 4, 2026
- Hours : Sun–Thu 17:30 ~ 21:30, Fri–Sat 17:30 ~ 22:00
- Location : 1-68 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (around Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5 and Gwanghwamun Square)
- Admission : Free
- Organized by : Seoul Metropolitan Government
- Inquiries : +82-2-2133-1936
- 17:30 Arrive at Gwanghwamun Square and walk around the entire square once to check in advance where the main media facade show is screened and where the “Unsu-daetong-ro” light sculptures are located.
- 18:00 Head to the Sejong Pavilion located north of the King Sejong statue to first view invited and open-call works displayed using LED media screens and floor LEDs.
- 19:00 Move toward Gwanghwamun and fully take in the four media facade works, including Doug Aitken’s “SONG 1,” for one entire session (about 24 minutes).
- 19:40 At the Unsu-daetong-ro light sculpture street, leisurely take photos of the 26-meter-tall installation that reinterprets Irwolobongdo and traditional dancheong patterns, along with the lighting art pieces.
- 20:10 Take part in participatory programs such as the Irwolobongdo Wish Wall and AR programs, and create your own personal memories.
- 21:00 Take another light stroll around the square, revisit any works that left an impression, then move to a nearby café or restaurant to enjoy a late dinner.
On weekends the event runs until 22:00, so consider planning a relaxed nighttime viewing route.
Seoul Light Gwanghwamun is one of Seoul’s signature light festivals, composed of media art and cultural content that the public can enjoy together. The theme of Seoul Light Gwanghwamun 2025 is “Gwanghwa, Breathe with Light,” portraying the city and people’s movements breathing like a single living organism through light.
Gwanghwamun, an iconic space of Seoul, is a place where history and citizens’ lives have flowed for a long time, and is considered the “starting point of light,” where electric lighting was first introduced in modern Korea and the city’s nights gained illumination. At that very spot, Seoul Light Gwanghwamun uses media facades and light installations to once again cast the flow of light that has brightened the darkness and changed everyday life and culture, allowing you to feel the city’s rhythms that permeate today’s Seoul and our lives.
Program Information
This is the main program of Seoul Light Gwanghwamun, projecting four media facade works using the entire Gwanghwamun area as a screen. It translates the city’s rhythm and emotions into light and sound, unfolding an epic narrative of light across the winter night sky for about 24 minutes per session.
International artist Doug Aitken’s “SONG 1” is a media facade work centered on the pop song “I Only Have Eyes for You.” Its repeating melody and visuals serenely yet intensely reveal the emotional undercurrent of the city.
Media facades of distinct character will be screened, including TZUSOO’s “Are You Sleeping?”, A-Plan Company’s “Feast of Light,” and The First Gate’s “Gesture Pop!” The works are combined into a single session of about 24 minutes, offering the audience a range of different emotions expressed through light.
This sculpture street is organized around a 26-meter-tall light installation that modernly reinterprets Irwolobongdo and traditional Korean dancheong patterns. Lighting artworks such as Everyware’s “Triangle, SquareSquareSquare” and “The Night Hope Blooms” are installed, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll while viewing the works up close.
At the Sejong Pavilion, installed north of the King Sejong statue, works by six invited artists and five open-call winners are presented using LED media screens and floor LEDs. Since award winners are decided through a combination of citizen voting and expert evaluation, you can enjoy both appreciating the works and the fun of taking part.
Programs where visitors can directly participate will be available, including the Irwolobongdo Wish Wall, “Seoul’s Breathing Day,” and Haechi character and Jakho-do AR programs. In some programs, citizens can even strike a large drum to start a performance, offering an experience that goes beyond simple viewing to becoming part of the festival.
At the Irwolobongdo Wish Wall, inspired by traditional paintings, you can write down your wishes and leave them together with the light. It is a fitting place to make wishes and wrap up the year on a winter night at Gwanghwamun Square.
During the festival period, a New Year’s countdown performance is scheduled at year’s end. You can count down the last moments of the year amid light, music, and cheering crowds, creating a special memory of a Seoul night.
Admission is free throughout the festival period, but a small fee may be charged for some citizen participation programs. If there is a program you are interested in, it’s a good idea to check usage conditions in advance via the official website or on-site notices.
On Fridays and Saturdays the event ends at 22:00, so instead of visiting too late, start your visit at a relaxed pace right after sunset to enjoy the works with slightly less crowding.
On December 31—the day of the countdown—events such as the hanbok fashion show “Gwanghwamun Fashion Road” and “Light Dance” performances will run from 11 p.m. A large crowd is expected, so arriving early and deciding where you’ll stay put will help you enjoy the performances more comfortably.
Visit the Unsu-daetong-ro installations during less crowded hours for much easier photo-taking.
Citizen voting is available at the Sejong Pavilion exhibition, so keep an eye out for works you particularly like.
Visit (Planned) Impressions
Today is December 11, 2025, and the Seoul Light Gwanghwamun festival is about to begin. As the opening day is December 12, I haven’t yet been to the festival; instead, I’m in that space of anticipation, imagining the moment I’ll finally arrive. With Seoul Light Gwanghwamun, themed “Gwanghwa, Breathe with Light,” set to unfold across the Gwanghwamun Square area from December 12, 2025 to January 4, 2026, I find myself picturing in my mind how Gwanghwamun will be transformed on winter nights.
This year’s event begins with a lighting ceremony and will be filled with diverse light and art content, including the media facade show, the light sculptures along Unsu-daetong-ro, and the media art exhibition at the Sejong Pavilion. Hearing that international and local artists such as Doug Aitken, TZUSOO, A-Plan Company, and The First Gate will participate in the main show, screened in sessions of about 24 minutes, makes me imagine the entire Gwanghwamun Square turning into a giant screen. The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, so there’s even the small pleasure of choosing which time slot best matches the rhythm at which I want to meet the light.
I also hear there will be interactive programs where citizens can strike a large drum to start a performance, making it feel less like a festival you simply watch and more like a time when your body and mind respond together. Just imagining that moment when the lights flicker across the surfaces and the sound echoes through the cold air of Gwanghwamun Square on a winter night makes my heart race; the image of people gathering and pausing for breath in the middle of a “symphony of light” lingers in my mind. I feel that the scenery of that night will remain in my memory like a page from a travel journal, and my desire to walk through it myself and feel its warmth and emotion is growing stronger.
Accommodation Recommendations
To enjoy Seoul Light Gwanghwamun at a relaxed pace, it’s best to choose accommodation with good subway access and a short travel time to Gwanghwamun. In nearby Jongno and Hyoja-dong, you can reach Gwanghwamun Square on foot or with a short subway ride, allowing you to return to your lodging fairly comfortably even after watching the light festival late into the night.
89 Donhwamun-ro 11ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Unni-dong, City Park)
A city hotel located near Jongno with convenient access to the Gwanghwamun and Jonggak areas.
It’s easy to get here on foot or by public transport after viewing the light festival, making late-night plans less of a burden.
Distance: 1.3 km
76-4 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Hyoja-dong)
Located in Hyoja-dong near Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun, it offers both the charm of quiet backstreets and the convenience of city-center access.
You can easily reach it from Gwanghwamun Square on foot or by bus, making the route back after a night visit simple.
Distance: 1.3 km
33 Nangye-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Hwanghak-dong)
A uniquely themed lodging near Sindang Station, ideal for those seeking a different atmosphere of relaxation in the city.
You can reach Gwanghwamun by subway, making it easy to enjoy city sightseeing by day and the light festival at night.
Distance: 4.0 km
162-7 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Seogyo-dong)
Located in the heart of the Hongdae commercial district, it offers easy access to cafés and eateries, as well as convenient subway access to City Hall and Gwanghwamun.
It’s ideal for spending the day in the Hongdae area and then heading to Gwanghwamun in the evening to enjoy the light festival.
Distance: 5.3 km
26-9 Tongil-ro 78-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (Bulgwang-dong, Bulgwang Treviang)
A lodging in the Yeonsinnae/Bulgwang area, suitable for those who want to enjoy both the Bukhansan Dullegil trail and the city.
Stay in northern Seoul, take a daytime walk along the mountain trail, and then plan to visit the Gwanghwamun light festival in the evening.
Distance: 6.9 km
16 Uisadang-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (Yeouido-dong)
A hotel in the center of Yeouido’s business district, perfect for enjoying both the Han River and the city nightscape.
You can stroll along the Han River in Yeouido and then take the subway to Gwanghwamun to enjoy the light festival.
Distance: 7.2 km
870 Gyeongin-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (Yeongdeungpo-dong 1-ga)
A chain hotel near Yeongdeungpo Station, with convenient transport and access to nearby amenities.
With easy KTX and subway connections, it’s a good base for those coming from other regions and continuing on to Seoul Light Gwanghwamun.
Distance: 8.5 km
10 Yeongjung-ro 10-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (Yeongdeungpo-dong 3-ga)
A city hotel near Yeongdeungpo Station and Times Square, convenient for both shopping and dining.
It’s a good base when planning a route that takes in the Han River and Yeouido area before heading to Gwanghwamun.
Distance: 8.6 km
On weekends and around New Year’s, rooms can book up quickly, so it’s wise to decide on your schedule and budget in advance.
Restaurants & Cafés
In the areas around Gwanghwamun Square—Jongno, Cheongjin-dong, and Bukchon—you’ll find many places perfect for a warm meal or a cup of tea. Here are spots that are easy to drop by before or after the light festival; if you pick one or two in advance with your route in mind, the rhythm of your winter night will feel even more relaxed.
17 Jong-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Cheongjin-dong)
A restaurant near Gwanghwamun D Tower, ideal for enjoying a warm meal in the heart of the city.
Foot traffic tends to be heavy before and after the light festival, so aim for an early dinner time if you’d like a more relaxed meal.
Distance: 0.2 km
17 Jong-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Cheongjin-dong)
A place with an appealing menu centered on warm shabu-shabu, perfect for warming up on a winter night.
Waiting times can get long on weekend evenings, so it may help to decide your visit time in advance or opt for relatively quieter weekdays.
Distance: 0.2 km
35-4 Bukchon-ro 5ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Sogyeok-dong)
A flagship store and teahouse near Bukchon, perfect for enjoying a warm cup of tea in a calm atmosphere.
If you walk leisurely from Gwanghwamun toward Bukchon and stop by, you can experience a quieter side of Seoul’s winter nights.
Distance: 1.1 km
854 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Sinsa-dong)
A brunch and dessert café near Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil, perfect for a stylish meal during the daytime.
You can spend time in Gangnam, then head to Gwanghwamun in the evening to take in the festival.
Distance: 6.9 km
22 Eonju-ro 170-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Sinsa-dong)
A restaurant in the Sinsa-dong area, ideal for those wanting to dine in a stylish space.
Having dinner in the Gangnam area and then taking the subway to Gwanghwamun can help you create a more relaxed nighttime route.
Distance: 7.2 km
7 Sangdo-ro 34-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul (Sangdo-dong)
A spot in the Sangdo-dong area where you can enjoy a comfortable meal in a neighborhood atmosphere.
You can spend time in a quiet neighborhood and then move on to Gwanghwamun at night to enjoy the festival’s lively contrast.
Distance: 8.0 km
42 Seocho-daero 78-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Seocho-dong)
A meat specialty restaurant in Seocho-dong, a good choice when you want a hearty dinner.
Have dinner in the Seocho/Gangnam area, then take the subway to Gwanghwamun and you’ll arrive at a relatively relaxed time.
Distance: 9.8 km
48 Seocho-daero 78-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Seocho-dong)
A barbecue restaurant in the Seocho area, a great option when you want to enjoy a generous meal and then take your time to the night view.
During the year-end season, demand from nearby office workers can be high, so we recommend a slightly earlier dinner rather than a very late one.
Distance: 9.8 km
Planning a place where you can enjoy a warm soup dish or a cup of tea will help you maintain your body temperature during nighttime viewing.
Nearby Attractions
Good walking routes to combine with Seoul Light Gwanghwamun include the Han River, the Bukhansan Dullegil trail, and parks within the city center. You could spend the day alternating between nature and the city and then fill your evening by meeting waves of light at Gwanghwamun Square after sunset.
Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
A forest retreat close to the city center, ideal for a light walk and taking in the winter air.
Enjoy a leisurely walk along the forest paths during the day, then head to Gwanghwamun in the evening for a contrasting course of city lights.
Distance: 3.5 km
![[Seoul Trail Course 19] Bukhansan Seongbuk Course](http://tong.visitkorea.or.kr/cms/resource/71/3526271_image2_1.jpg "Seoul Light Coloring the Winter Nights of Gwanghwamun: A Journey Through Waves of Light")
Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
A trail along the ridges of Bukhansan, ideal for enjoying both the winter mountain scenery and views of Seoul.
Walk just a portion of the course in the early hours, then move to Gwanghwamun before sunset to keep your day’s route manageable.
Distance: 4.6 km
![[Seoul Trail Course 18] Bukhansan Jongno Course](http://tong.visitkorea.or.kr/cms/resource/43/3526243_image2_1.jpg "Seoul Light Coloring the Winter Nights of Gwanghwamun: A Journey Through Waves of Light")
Bulgwang-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
A trail along Bukhansan where you can enjoy the unique charm of walking along the border between city and mountain.
In winter, the sun sets early, so it’s best to walk only part of the route during the day and then head to Gwanghwamun in the evening.
Distance: 5.4 km
231 Yeouido Hangang Park-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (Yeouido-dong)
A cruise on the Han River where you can enjoy Seoul’s nightscape, combining city lights with riverside scenery.
If you plan a Han River cruise and the Gwanghwamun light festival on the same day, allow plenty of time for travel when arranging your evening route.
Distance: 6.0 km
Yongdap-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
A street where you can stroll as if on a casual walk, offering a different atmosphere in each season.
After looking around Seongdong-gu, you might head to Gwanghwamun in the evening to experience a completely different night view.
Distance: 6.6 km
40 Sinbanpo-ro 11-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Banpo-dong)
A facility near Banpo Hangang Park, ideal for feeling Seoul’s night as you view the Han River lights.
You can enjoy the night view near Banpo Bridge and, on another day, visit the Gwanghwamun light festival to compare different faces of Seoul at night.
Distance: 7.2 km
![[Seoul Trail Course 20] Bukhansan Gangbuk Course](http://tong.visitkorea.or.kr/cms/resource/67/3526267_image2_1.jpg "Seoul Light Coloring the Winter Nights of Gwanghwamun: A Journey Through Waves of Light")
117 Hwagyesa-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (Suyu-dong)
A trail along Bukhansan, perfect for those who want to walk at a steady pace immersed in nature.
Since days are short in winter, we recommend walking only part of the Dullegil during daylight and then continuing with city-night plans without overexerting yourself.
Distance: 7.3 km
401 Mokdong-dong-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul (Mok-dong, Booyoung Green Town 2nd Complex)
An indoor sports space where children can move and play, well suited to family trips.
You can enjoy indoor activities with children during the day and then head to the Gwanghwamun light festival in the evening as a family travel course.
Distance: 9.4 km
If you’d like to enjoy both the Han River and the city nightscape, consider spreading your Han River walk and the Gwanghwamun light festival over different days for a more relaxed experience.
How to Get There
Public Transportation — Take Subway Line 5 to Gwanghwamun Station and walk from there. As Gwanghwamun Square is the central event area, simply follow the signs inside the station and at street level to naturally arrive at the festival space.
By Car — During the festival period, traffic congestion and vehicle access restrictions are expected around Gwanghwamun, so public transportation is strongly recommended. If you must drive, it’s better to plan for using nearby paid parking lots and allow extra time for walking.
The route between the subway exits and the square is fairly wide, so deciding on a specific meeting point in advance makes it much easier to regroup with your companions.
Closing
Seoul Light Gwanghwamun transforms Gwanghwamun Square on winter nights into a vast canvas, capturing the city’s breathing through light and sound. With media facades, light sculptures, the Sejong Pavilion exhibition, and citizen participation programs, it offers a nighttime stroll where you can feel warmth despite the cold air.
As the end of the year and the new year meet, walking along Gwanghwamun Square to the rhythm of lights turning on and off naturally calms the mind, helping you close out the year and welcome a new season. Slow your steps for a moment and quietly fill in your own travel story amid the waves of light unfolding before you.
Photo Snapshots
Videos
