December 13 - January 5
From Media Exhibitions to Christmas Markets
Special Exhibition and Parade for Ojingeo Game 2
The winter festival 'Seoul Winter Festa,' which will illuminate downtown Seoul with light and color, is set to take place. Various attractions and interactive events will be held around major Seoul landmarks such as Gwanghwamun, Cheonggyecheon, and DDP.
On the 21st, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the largest winter festival in Korea, '2024 Seoul Winter Festa,' will be held for 24 days from next month 13th to January 5th, connecting six locations: Gwanghwamun, Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggyecheon, Seoul Plaza, DDP, and Bosingak. The Winter Festa, first held last year, is a festival that brings together winter events that were previously held separately across Seoul.
Yang Jeong-ung, a theater artist, will serve as the general director of this Winter Festa. Director Yang has previously served as the general director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games and the general producer of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
2024 Seoul Winter Festa 'Seoul Light Gwanghwamun' presents David Hartono's 'Shining Journey'. Provided by Seoul City
David Wiegono's 'The Ultimate Source' to be showcased at 2024 Seoul Winter Festa 'Seoul Light Gwanghwamun'. Provided by Seoul City
This year’s theme is 'Soul Prism, the Light of the Heart Unfolding in Seoul.' The core idea is to color the six festival locations with Seoul’s unique colors and lights. The spaces will be decorated with various lights such as media art, light sculptures, and lanterns, recreating Seoul’s image through light by encompassing tradition and modernity, art and technology, city and nature.
Gwanghwamun and DDP are expected to focus on media art exhibitions. 'Seoul Light Gwanghwamun' is planned around the concept of an axis of light. The entire Gwanghwamun area will be used as a massive canvas where media artists from around the world will present giant media fa?ades. At DDP, under the theme '5 Cheers!: Relay of Hope Cheers,' messages of encouragement and hope will be delivered to citizens welcoming the new year. Works by world-renowned French artist Jean-Julien, along with five pieces by Kim Sun-woo, Jo Guman, JE BAAK, and Life Recording, will be screened in an omnibus format.
At Gwanghwamun Square, the 'Gwanghwamun Market' with a Santa Village concept will operate around a 14-meter tall large Christmas tree. A total of 141 small business owners will participate in the market. A special exhibition for Squid Game Season 2 will also be held, and on December 21st, a large-scale parade with 500 participants will take place from Seoul Plaza to Gwanghwamun.
At Cheonggyecheon, visitors can experience the 'Seoul Light Lantern Festival.' The exhibition, themed around Soul Lanterns, will encompass traditional and modern 'play.' Seoul Plaza will open an ice skating rink under the theme 'Seoul, Approaching Winter.' The space design aims to evoke the nostalgic atmosphere of enjoying ice sledding and spinning top games on the Han River in the past.
Countdown and New Year's Bell Ringing on the 31st at Bosingak
The highlight of this festival, the 'Countdown' and 'New Year's Bell Ringing' event, will be held at Bosingak from 11:35 PM on the 31st. Last year, it was held simultaneously on Sejong-daero, but this year it will be consolidated at one location. Before and after the countdown, congratulatory performances by K-music and global artists will take place, and with the bell ringing, a 30-meter diameter midnight sun will rise at Bosingak. 'Citizen representatives' selected by public recommendation will also participate in the 33rd bell ringing.
A New Year's celebration tailored for the MZ generation will also be held at DDP. Lasers and lights will brightly illuminate DDP, and a sound and fireworks show will accompany the countdown.
Collaboration with 'SeoulCon,' which involves thousands of influencers and subscribers, will continue. SeoulCon is an expo led by global influencers that promotes Seoul’s lifestyle, including K-pop, K-beauty, and K-fashion, worldwide. It will be held around DDP from the 28th of next month to January 1st. Various programs such as K-pop performances, street fashion markets, and e-sports festivals are planned.
General Director Yang Jeong-ung said, "We will plan and brand Seoul Winter Festa as Seoul’s representative global festival. We hope that citizens visiting the festival will spend a special year-end enjoying the splendid light spectacle in the city and welcome a hopeful new year."
Lee Hoe-seung, Director of Seoul City’s Culture Headquarters, stated, "All departments of Seoul City will work closely together to ensure that all citizens and tourists visiting Seoul Winter Festa can enjoy the festival safely and comfortably."
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