Christmas in
South Korea
Celebrated: December 25 (national holiday)
Signature traditions
- 1.Christmas is a national public holiday — the only East Asian country where it is, reflecting the strong Christian community
- 2.Korean Christmas cake — sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries — sold in every bakery from December 22
- 3.Couples celebrate with romantic dates rather than family gatherings (much like Japan)
- 4.Massive themed light displays in Seoul (Cheonggyecheon Stream, Myeongdong) and other major cities
- 5.Christmas Eve church services among Christian communities, often elaborate with carol concerts
What's on the table
Christmas cake and fried chicken
Korean Christmas cake (light sponge with whipped cream and strawberries) is a near-universal Christmas Eve dessert. Fried chicken — already the romantic-date food of choice in Korea — is the most common Christmas Eve meal for couples and friend groups.
The iconic decoration
Streetscape illuminations
Major shopping districts in Seoul, Busan, and Incheon stage themed light displays from late November. Home decorations are more common in Christian households; secular celebrants enjoy public displays as the main visual experience.
How gifts are given
Christmas in South Korea is more couple-focused than family-focused. Gifts are typically exchanged between romantic partners and close friends. Children of Christian families receive gifts from Santa Halabeoji ('Grandfather Santa').
Did you know?
South Korea is the only country in East Asia where Christmas Day is a public holiday. About 30% of South Koreans identify as Christian — the highest proportion in East Asia — which has shaped the country's enthusiastic embrace of the season relative to its neighbors.