Christmas Festival at Myeong-dong Cathedral: "Full of Food, Sights, and Entertainment"

Various Performances and Attractions Open to the Public for Free

The Archdiocese of Seoul announced on December 18 that it will host the Christmas festival "2025 Myeong-dong, Lighting Up the Winter" around the Myeong-dong Cathedral on December 24 and 25 to celebrate Christmas.

"Myeong-dong, Lighting Up the Winter" is a festival held every Christmas season to share the meaning of Christmas with citizens visiting Myeong-dong. The event will feature a variety of programs, including a Christmas market, music performances, live broadcasts, plays, and interactive spaces.

The Archdiocese of Seoul will operate a "Christmas Market" on December 24 and 25 at the plaza in front of the Myeong-dong Catholic Center. Priests from the archdiocese will personally sell mulled wine and sausages, while young artists will showcase handmade religious items and lifestyle crafts at 17 booths. Visitors can write messages of hope on wish cards and hang them on a tree, participating in a sharing activity by donating the price of a ribbon. All proceeds from donations, all food sales by the priests, and a portion of the artists' booth sales will be delivered to the Seoul Catholic Social Welfare Society and used to share the joy of Christmas with marginalized neighbors.

Christmas carol performances will be held at the Marian Garden of Myeong-dong Cathedral. On December 24, the cpbc Boys and Girls Choir will perform, and on December 25, the Magnificat Children's Choir will take the stage. All performances are free of charge. At Myeong-dong 1898 Square, a mini concert series called "1898 Music Salon," covering classical, jazz, and Korean traditional music, will be held on December 24 and 25.

Catholic Peace Broadcasting Corporation and Peace Newspaper (cpbc) will set up the "cpbc Media Zone" in the yard of the Archdiocese of Seoul. In the open studio, a variety of performances will take place on December 24 and 25, including the cpbc special live broadcast "Myeong-dong, Lighting Up the Winter" and carol busking.

This year, a space introducing the "2027 Seoul World Youth Day (WYD)" will also be prepared. The 2027 Seoul WYD Organizing Committee will present the plays "The Fourth Wise Man" and "Will You Be My Friend?" at the Familia Chapel of Myeong-dong Cathedral on December 24 and 25, respectively. The plays are free and admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. The organizing committee will also set up the "WYD Youth Zone" at Ondream Society across from Myeong-dong Cathedral, offering various programs for young people to experience the joy and hope of Christmas, such as making keyrings and cup coasters, and writing postcards to themselves.

A rose garden and sculptures have been installed at the entrance to Myeong-dong Cathedral. In addition, a sculpture of the Magi has been set up in the cathedral courtyard. The Myeong-dong Cathedral Rose Garden and Light Festival, which began on November 29, will continue until January 4 next year.

In addition, a media facade will be displayed on the front of Myeong-dong Cathedral. On December 24 and 25, it will be screened every 30 minutes for 5 minutes during the evening. A photo zone will be set up in the yard of the archdiocese with Myeong-dong Cathedral as the backdrop, and a 3D trick art installation will be placed in the cathedral courtyard, allowing visitors to create special Christmas memories.