Seoul in January 2026: Best Winter Activities for Tourists

January in Seoul might be cold (-5°C to 3°C), but it's one of the most magical times to visit. The city transforms into a winter wonderland filled with festive lights, steaming street food, and cozy indoor experiences.

1. Indoor Activities to Stay Warm

K-Pop Dance Classes at AZIT Studio

What better way to warm up than learning choreography from your favorite K-Pop songs? AZIT Dance Studio, located minutes from Gyeongbokgung Palace, offers private K-Pop dance classes perfect for beginners.

Why Choose AZIT: Professional instructor from Seoul Arts College, learn any K-Pop song (BTS, BLACKPINK, NewJeans), 4K video recording included, and English-speaking instruction available.

K-Pop Fan Experiences

While some K-Pop museums have closed, Seoul still offers amazing experiences for fans:

• K-Star Road (Gangnam): Iconic "GangnamDol" bear statues representing K-Pop groups - perfect for photos!
• HYBE Headquarters (Yongsan): Photo spot outside the building with themed cafes nearby
• YG Entertainment (Hapjeong): Iconic building in the trendy Hongdae area

Shopping at Myeongdong & Hongdae

Escape the cold in Seoul's famous shopping districts with beauty stores, underground arcades, trendy cafes, and street food vendors.

2. Winter Festivals & Events

Seoul Lantern Festival at Cheonggyecheon

The Cheonggyecheon Stream Light Festival illuminates Seoul with stunning lantern displays through early January. Best time to visit is after sunset (around 5:30 PM).

Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink (2025-2026)

• Season: December 19, 2025 - February 8, 2026
• Hours: Weekdays 10:00-21:30, Weekends 10:00-23:00
• Price: Only 1,000 KRW (~$0.70) including skate & helmet rental!
• Booking: seoulskate.kr (300 spots per session)

Other options include Yeouido Park Ice Rink (Han River views) and Lotte World Ice Rink (indoor).

3. Day Trips: Skiing & Snowboarding

Vivaldi Park Ski Resort

Distance: 90km from Seoul (about 1.5 hours). Season runs December 5, 2025 - February 28, 2026. Best for beginners and families with snow park and night skiing.

Yongpyong Ski Resort

Distance: 200km from Seoul (2.5 hours by car, 1.5 hours by KTX). The 2018 PyeongChang Olympic venue with Korea's longest slopes.

Booking Tips: Book shuttle bus packages with lift tickets, rental equipment available on-site, and weekdays are less crowded.

4. Warm Korean Food for Cold Days

Must-try winter dishes:

• Jjimdak (찜닭): Braised chicken with vegetables in sweet-savory soy sauce. Try at Andong Jjimdak restaurants.
• Budae-jjigae (부대찌개): Army stew with kimchi, spam, and noodles. Best in Uijeongbu.
• Samgyetang (삼계탕): Ginseng chicken soup. Try Tosokchon near Gyeongbokgung.
• Hotteok (호떡): Sweet street pancakes at Namdaemun or Gwangjang Market.

5. Planning Your January Trip

What to Pack

Heavy padded jacket, thermal underwear, hand warmers (at every convenience store), and moisturizer (air is very dry).

Getting Around

Seoul's heated subway is your best friend in winter. Get a T-money Card for easy payment and download Naver Maps or KakaoMap for directions.

Conclusion

A January trip to Seoul offers winter magic and warm Korean hospitality. Start with Gyeongbokgung Palace, warm up with a K-Pop dance class at AZIT Studio, and end with a steaming bowl of samgyetang.

Ready to experience K-Pop like never before? Book your private dance class at AZIT Studio and create memories that will last a lifetime!

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Related guides: Seoul Winter Festivals 2025, Seoul Transportation Guide, Korean Jjimjilbang Guide