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The Warm Glow of Campfires Embracing a Winter Port Night: Open Port Christmas Travelogue

Introduction

On a cold winter night in Incheon with the sea breeze brushing past, the glow of lights slowly spreading across the port brings a gentle warmth to your heart. As the year-end approaches with traces of Christmas still lingering in the air, just imagining the moment of gathering around a bonfire to wrap up the year makes your heart feel cozy.

The Warm Glow of Campfires Embracing a Winter Port Night: Open Port Christmas Travelogue


Open Port Christmas: Campfire (Open Port Christmas)

Table of Contents

Guide

Basic Information
  • Event Name : Open Port Christmas: Campfire (Open Port Christmas)
  • Date : 2025-12-27 (1 day)
  • Hours : 11:00–18:00
  • Venue : Incheon Sangsang Platform, 1883 Open Port Plaza
  • Address : 33 Wolmi-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Bukseong-dong 1-ga)
  • Admission : Free
  • Host : Incheon Metropolitan City
  • Organizer : Incheon Tourism Organization
  • Inquiries : 010-8456-2948
  • Main Image Source : Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI

Recommended Route
  1. 11:00 Arrive at Sangsang Platform 1883 Open Port Plaza and take a lap around the whole area to first check the locations of the Campfire Camping Zone, Campaign Zone, and Doggy Playground.
  2. 11:30 Settle into your reserved spot in the Campfire Camping Zone, relax in front of the bonfire, and enjoy winter snacks from your welcome kit.
  3. 13:30 Visit the Campaign Zone and Experience Zone in turn to collect campfire stamps and take part in donations for abandoned dogs.
  4. 15:00 If you’re visiting with a dog, let them run free in the “Doggy Playground,” which offers an indoor play area and a large 500-pyeong off-leash zone, while you soak in the year-end atmosphere nearby.
  5. 16:30 Take photos around the plaza with the lights and decorations as your backdrop, capturing both the bonfire and the winter scenery of the port.
  6. 17:30 After sunset, return to the campfire area and take your time reflecting on the day and the year under the warm glow of the fire.
Admission is free, but as it can get crowded, visiting with a relaxed schedule is recommended.
Since it’s an outdoor event, dress warmly and be prepared for changes in the weather.
Overview

<Open Port Christmas: Campfire (Open Port Christmas)> is a year-end healing festival where citizens and their dogs gather around bonfires to rest, play, and share warmth in a cozy Christmas atmosphere as they bring the year to a gentle close. It takes place on Saturday, December 27, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Sangsang Platform 1883 Open Port Plaza in Incheon, which is transformed into a special space where you can enjoy the romance of winter camping and the festive Christmas mood at the same time.

In the “Campfire Camping Zone,” set among twinkling lights and soft decorations, pre-registered visitors can enjoy the campfire experience on a first-come, first-served basis, along with a welcome kit of winter snacks to enhance the camping vibe. By joining the Campaign Zone and Experience Zone programs and collecting campfire stamps, you can contribute to donations for abandoned dogs, turning the warmth of the bonfire into a festival of sharing that reaches someone in need. There will also be a “Doggy Playground” for visitors with pets, where dogs can run freely in a warm indoor play space and a large 500-pyeong off-leash area, while their guardians relax and soak up the year-end atmosphere.

Program Information

Campfire Camping Zone & Welcome Kit

In the Campfire Camping Zone, decorated with twinkling lights and cozy ornaments, a bonfire experience is offered on a first-come, first-served basis to pre-registered visitors. You can fully immerse yourself in the mood of winter camping as you gaze at the warm firelight and enjoy the welcome kit filled with winter snacks.

Campfire Warmth-Sharing Campaign

By taking part in programs at the Campaign Zone and Experience Zone and collecting campfire stamps, you can join in donations for abandoned dogs. A single experience becomes a warm act of support for someone else, turning your year-end into a time of meaningful giving.

Doggy Playground Free Zone

A warm indoor play area and a large 500-pyeong off-leash zone are provided for citizens visiting with their dogs. While the dogs run around and bond to their heart’s content, guardians can relax and savor the lingering Christmas mood and year-end atmosphere.

Hands-on Programs & Photo Booth

Hands-on programs such as gift-making and caricatures, along with a photo booth, will be available. You can take home photos filled with Christmas vibes and small keepsakes to remember the day for a long time to come.

Pet Classes

There will be classes for pets, such as canine first-aid education. In addition to play, you can gain useful information on safety and health, making it a helpful time for your life with pets.

Visiting Tips

Although the event is free, it may be crowded, so it’s best to leave enough time so you don’t feel rushed. For popular programs, checking the schedule in advance will help you enjoy everything more leisurely.

Photo Zone Prep

There are various photo zones with lights, trees, and illuminations, so it’s wise to fully charge your camera or smartphone batteries. If you take photos at both sunset and after dark, you can capture very different moods.

Preparing for Winter Outdoors

As this is an outdoor event, it’s a good idea to bring a thick coat, gloves, and a hat. If you plan to stay for a long time, bringing a blanket or portable seat cushion will make your visit much warmer and more comfortable.

There are many photo spots, so prepare plenty of battery power and storage space.
Outdoor campfires feel colder than expected, so bring warm clothes and winter gear.

Visit (Planned) Impressions

Today is December 12, 2025, and Open Port Christmas: Campfire is scheduled to take place on December 27, 2025, so the day of the festival has not yet arrived. I’m planning to visit soon, and just thinking about the festival already fills me with warmth and excitement. The firewood for the campfire hasn’t fully ignited yet, but in my mind, small lights are already beginning to turn on one by one, brightening the winter port night.

From what I’ve been able to find, it’s still hard to locate official detailed schedules or program information specifically for “Open Port Christmas: Campfire (or Open Port Christmas: Campfire).” A similarly named festival has been held around Incheon Open Port, but I haven’t yet seen coverage of it combined with a “campfire” theme in news articles or festival guides. Even so, the word “campfire” itself already seeps deep into my heart, making me imagine warm flames rising in the cold air tinged with the smell of the winter sea, the sound of crackling wood and faint smoke, and bursts of laughter spreading between it all.

If this festival is held in an outdoor space near the beach or port, I imagine the scent of pine carried on the wind mixing with the smell of burning firewood to create a truly special time. I can easily picture people sitting in a circle around the fire, faces lit by a soft orange glow, slowly talking about how they spent the past year. Before I go, I’m hoping for things like small picnic areas where you can enjoy the campfire, booths offering simple snacks or warm drinks, and an atmosphere where lights and music quietly fill the background. Since it will be a cold winter night, I plan to prepare my clothing and transportation in advance, and once the schedule is announced, I’ll arrange my time to move efficiently. As soon as more official information is released, I’ll check it right away and, until then, slowly align my pace of mind as I wait for the day to come.

Accommodation Recommendations

After enjoying the festival for a full day, it’s nice to relax at a nearby place to stay. If you look into hotels around Wolmido, Yeongjongdo, and the city center, you’ll be able to choose options that fit both your travel route and budget.

Wolmido Diamond Hotel
Wolmido Diamond Hotel

229 Wolmi-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon

A hotel-type accommodation close to Wolmido, convenient for moving on after the festival.

For information on parking and room use, calling in advance will make your stay smoother.

Distance: 1.3 km

Wolmido Haewol Tourist Hotel
Wolmido Haewol Tourist Hotel

8 Wolmi-ro 260beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon

A tourist hotel conveniently located for sightseeing around Wolmido.

During peak season, weekend rooms can sell out quickly, so booking in advance is recommended.

Distance: 1.5 km

Ocean Park Nine Hotel
Ocean Park Nine Hotel

10 Yeongjongjin Plaza-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Jungsan-dong)

A good hotel for staying in connection with the sea in the Yeongjongjin area.

If you’re driving, it helps to check traffic conditions around Yeongjongdo in advance.

Distance: 3.7 km

Ocean Sole View Hotel
Ocean Sole View Hotel

32 Yeongjongjin Plaza-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Jungsan-dong)

Located near Yeongjongjin Plaza, this accommodation offers the prospect of sea views.

Views may differ depending on room type, so it’s good to confirm when booking.

Distance: 3.7 km

U&I Hotel [Korea Tourism Quality Certification/Korea Quality]
U&I Hotel [Korea Tourism Quality Certification/Korea Quality]

U&I, 25 Michuhol-daero 722beon-gil, Michuhol-gu, Incheon

A city-center hotel with Korea Tourism Quality certification, offering well-equipped basic facilities.

Public transport access is relatively good, making it easy to travel to nearby areas.

Distance: 6.2 km

The Rest Cozy Hotel Incheon Guwol Branch
The Rest Cozy Hotel Incheon Guwol Branch

15 Yesullo 204beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon (Guwol-dong)

A hotel in Incheon’s downtown area, ideal for combining shopping and dining.

If using public transportation, check subway and bus transfer times in advance.

Distance: 8.2 km

Mitasuya Ryokan Hotel Incheon Seo-gu Office Station Branch
Mitasuya Ryokan Hotel Incheon Seo-gu Office Station Branch

20 Seogot-ro 301beon-gil, Seo-gu, Incheon (Simgok-dong)

A fitting choice if you’d like to experience a Japanese ryokan-style concept.

It’s relatively far from the venue, so it’s best to plan for car travel together with your schedule.

Distance: 9.3 km

Guwol Hotel
Guwol Hotel

1 Seonsuchon Park-ro 23beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon

A hotel located in the Guwol-dong area, convenient for using nearby amenities.

For room and parking availability, calling in advance is highly recommended.

Distance: 9.3 km

On year-end weekends, accommodations near Wolmido and Yeongjongdo can book up quickly.
After nighttime campfires, choose a place to stay that suits your mode of transport and travel distance.

Restaurants & Cafés

Around Sangsang Platform, the festival venue, there are various spots ranging from quick bites to cafés and restaurants. If you extend your route to include Wolmido, Yeongjongdo, and the Yeonsu-gu area, you can create a richer year-end outing course.

Storage Incheon
Storage Incheon

33 Wolmi-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Bukseong-dong 1-ga)

Located at the same address as Sangsang Platform, making it extremely convenient for your route.

A great place to stop by before or after the festival for a warm drink.

Distance: 0.0 km

Gaehang Baekhwa
Gaehang Baekhwa

104 Gaehang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Gyeong-dong)

A complex-venue restaurant where you can soak up the atmosphere of the Open Port area.

On weekends and during the year-end season, nearby roads can be congested, so you might also consider walking.

Distance: 1.8 km

Small Pond
Small Pond

19 Yeongjongjin-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Jungsan-dong)

A café–restaurant near Yeongjongjin, perfect for a visit alongside a seaside walk.

Visiting at sunset is great for enjoying a relaxed time with the view.

Distance: 4.1 km

Wangga
Wangga

70 Nojeoksan-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon (Hakik-dong)

A restaurant in Hakik-dong, Michuhol-gu, ideal for a meal stop while moving around the city.

There may be a wait during mealtimes, so consider visiting on weekdays or at off-peak hours.

Distance: 5.5 km

Sushi Hana
Sushi Hana

472 Yeomgok-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon (Gajeong-dong)

A sushi specialty restaurant with high turnover, great for enjoying fresh dishes.

It can get crowded on weekend evenings, so reservations or early visits are recommended.

Distance: 7.5 km

Long Beach Coffee & Bread
Long Beach Coffee & Bread

194 Landmark-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (Songdo-dong)

A café near Songdo Landmark-ro, great for enjoying coffee and bread together.

Seats can fill up on weekend afternoons, so choosing a quieter time is better.

Distance: 7.6 km

Celebrate
Celebrate

131 Art Center-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (Songdo-dong)

Located along Songdo Art Center-daero, this is a great place for a leisurely brunch in the city.

For reservations and operating hours, calling ahead will give you the most accurate information.

Distance: 8.7 km

Byeolmi Sundae (Blood Sausage Soup)
Byeolmi Sundae

121 Sinsong-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (Songdo-dong)

A sundae (Korean blood sausage) specialty restaurant, perfect when you’re craving warm soup dishes.

It’s an excellent meal stop to warm yourself up in cold weather.

Distance: 9.5 km

Using Storage Incheon right next to the festival venue can help reduce travel time.
On year-end weekends, waits at popular restaurants can be long, so earlier visits are recommended.

Nearby Attractions

If you center your plans around Sangsang Platform and explore the Open Port area, Wolmido, and nearby cultural spaces, you can fill a whole day with activities. Considering travel distances, try dividing your route between places you can walk to and places that require a vehicle.

Sangsang Platform
Sangsang Platform

33 Wolmi-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Bukseong-dong 1-ga)

A former grain warehouse reborn as a complex cultural space, combining exhibitions with an outdoor plaza.

By day, enjoy the building’s structure and exhibitions; by evening, stroll around and appreciate the lighting.

Distance: 0.0 km

Sampo Comic Book Tour
Sampo Comic Book Tour

3-3 Eochon-ro 5beon-gil, Dong-gu, Incheon (Manseok-dong, Manseok 3 Uri Jip)

A unique experience course in the Manseok-dong area where you stroll through local alleys with books.

Checking operating times and program availability in advance will help you make the most of your visit.

Distance: 0.9 km

Le Incheon Club Podium 126
Le Incheon Club Podium 126

19-8 Sinpo-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Jungang-dong 4-ga)

A cultural space where you can feel the atmosphere of modern architecture from the opening of the port era.

Link it with a walking course through the Open Port district to feel as if you’re traveling back in time.

Distance: 1.0 km

Suljagga Brewery
Suljagga Brewery

52 Geumgok-ro, Dong-gu, Incheon (Geumgok-dong)

A space where you can experience and learn stories about traditional Korean liquor and brewing.

Check in advance whether programs are operating and if reservations are required.

Distance: 2.4 km

Incheon Upcycle Eco Center
Incheon Upcycle Eco Center

Incheon Upcycle Eco Center, 7 Maesohol-ro 290beon-gil, Michuhol-gu, Incheon (Hakik-dong)

A space offering exhibitions and educational programs on upcycling and the environment.

It’s also great for visits with children, making it a good choice for a family outing course.

Distance: 5.1 km

Incheon Public Safety Experience Center
Incheon Public Safety Experience Center

120 Bongojae 1-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon (Gajeong-dong)

A facility offering a variety of hands-on programs themed around disasters and safety.

Some programs may require reservations, so check the website or call in advance.

Distance: 7.5 km

Incheon Aetdeul
Incheon Aetdeul

29 Jeonggak-ro, Namdong-gu, Incheon (Guwol-dong)

A city park with well-maintained green spaces and walking paths for citizens to relax.

Good for strolling and taking photos during the day, and for walks with lights as a backdrop at night.

Distance: 8.5 km

Atlantis Songdo Branch
Atlantis Songdo Branch

42 Convensia-daero 230beon-gil, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (Songdo-dong)

An indoor play and experience space that’s a good alternative plan for rainy days.

Since travel time is required, it’s efficient to combine it with other plans in Songdo.

Distance: 9.9 km

Sangsang Platform and the Open Port area are easily connected on foot, so a relaxed walk is recommended.
More distant areas such as Songdo and Yeongjong are best grouped into separate courses within your day’s schedule.

How to Get There

Public Transportation — The event venue is Sangsang Platform, 33 Wolmi-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Bukseong-dong 1-ga). If you take the subway or regular train, get off at Incheon Station and walk for about 10 minutes.

By Car — If you are driving, it is advisable to check in advance on the event website whether parking is available near Sangsang Platform and what the operating hours are. Around year-end and on weekends, nearby roads can be congested, so it’s wise to leave with some extra time.

After the event ends, demand for public transit and taxis may increase.
If walking from Incheon Station, dress warmly with the cold weather in mind.

Closing

<Open Port Christmas: Campfire>, where the energy of bonfires surrounding the winter port night meets the lingering scent of Christmas, is a festival that gently invites you to look back on the past year. Gathering at Sangsang Platform 1883 Open Port Plaza to gaze at the firelight, play with your dog, and join donations for abandoned dogs will leave you with warm memories that linger long into the cold season.

As a year-end festival with no admission fee, all you need is some warm clothing and a simple plan to enjoy it with ease. Come to Incheon Open Port to experience a day where sea-scented air, the warmth of bonfires, soft music, and gentle laughter all come together.

Photo Snapshots

Videos

Source: This post was created with reference to the Korea Tourism Organization API as well as YouTube and news links.

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