Events at Shinsegae Square, Lotte World, Seoul Sky
Special Programs at Paradise City and Inspire Resorts
A Variety of Performances and Fireworks Fountains for All to Enjoy
Major industries such as department stores, hotels, and theme parks have prepared countdown events to welcome the new year of 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse.
Shinsegae Department Store announced on the 28th that on December 31 at 11:00 p.m., the area in front of the main store’s main building will be transformed into a space to celebrate the ‘2026 Countdown Show LIGHT NOW’ festival, hosted by Jung-gu District Office in Seoul, welcoming both citizens and foreign tourists.
Shinsegae Square, as the first large-scale signage of the ‘Myeongdong Square’ project to turn the Myeongdong area into a city of lights, will serve as the main screen and centerpiece of this countdown festival. The 2026 Countdown Show LIGHT NOW stage can be enjoyed at two locations: the Seoul Central Post Office Plaza and the fountain plaza in front of the main building of Shinsegae Department Store.
Park Joohyung, CEO of Shinsegae Department Store, said, “Shinsegae Square, which blends Shinsegae’s heritage with K-content, will once again provide a unique memory as the centerpiece of the New Year’s countdown festival,” adding, “With a splendid display of lights, it will be reborn as a landmark representing Korea.”
Lotte World, the theme park located in Songpa-gu, Seoul, will host the ‘2026 Light Up Countdown Party’ on December 31 from 10:00 p.m., under the concept of creating a hopeful light for 2026. The first part will feature a photo session with the park’s seasonal characters and performers. The second part, starting at 11:30 p.m., will present the dazzling ‘World of Light’ parade along the parade course, and at midnight, an electronic live party with DJs and dancers will take place as the countdown reaches zero.
At Seoul Sky, which offers panoramic city views from Korea’s tallest building, a New Year’s countdown and sunrise event will also be held. On December 31, a countdown video will be shown from 11:40 p.m. on the 118th-floor observation deck. On January 1, a sunrise event will take place. Those who purchase the ‘Sunrise Package’ or ‘Private Sunrise Package’ will have access to Seoul Sky from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on the day. Package holders will receive admission tickets to Seoul Sky, premium rice cakes and beverages, a ‘Wish Tag’ to write their wishes, and Seoul Sky souvenirs.
Paradise City, the integrated resort on Yeongjongdo, Incheon, will host a countdown event at its large indoor plaza, ‘Plaza,’ from 10:30 p.m. on December 31. The event will open with a performance by the popera (pop + opera) group Victoria, followed by a show from musical actors Son Junho and Kim Sohyun. At midnight, a spectacular display with special effects and a fireworks fountain will add to the grandeur. At Paradise City’s live music lounge bar ‘Rubik,’ guests can enjoy songs by singer Kim Taewoo from 11:20 p.m. and participate in the countdown ceremony to close out the year.
Thousands of balloons are scattered across 'Aurora,' the digital entertainment street at Inspire Entertainment Resort. Photo by Inspire
Additionally, Inspire Entertainment Resort will wrap up the year with the ‘Cheers to 2026: Drop the Beat & Balloons’ event on December 31 at its digital entertainment street ‘Aurora.’ The event will feature an emotional performance by Urban Zakapa and a show by artists from the jazz bar ‘Get All Right Cheongdam.’ At midnight, a balloon drop with thousands of balloons will take place alongside a countdown on the large LED screen. There will also be a lucky draw event offering prizes such as accommodation vouchers and branded amenities. At midnight on January 1, the party space ‘Le Space’ will transform to host the ‘2026 New Year Midnight Party.’
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