Korea in November and December: Weather, What to Wear and What's On

Seoul's November and December are really two trips: one starts as crisp fall, the other is dry winter with nights below freezing. Here's how each stretch feels, how to dress for a day of cold streets and heated rooms, and what's on.

November to December, ten days at a time

These are Seoul's official 1991–2020 averages from KMA, with 2026 sunset times from the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI).

Read it this way: the big drop happens during November, and from December on, the average Seoul night is below freezing.

• Daylight: about 10 hours 37 minutes on November 1, about 9 hours 34 minutes around December 21; sunrise reaches 7:47 am by December 31.
• Rain and snow: Seoul averages 2.0 inches of precipitation (rain and melted snow combined) in November and 0.9 inches in December, so I wouldn't count on a snowy Seoul.
• First snow and ice: KMA's average date for Seoul's first snowfall is November 20, and for the first ice, November 3.
• Dry air: KMA puts Seoul's winter-and-spring humidity at about 56%, against about 72% in summer.

How to dress for a day that goes in and out

A sightseeing day here swings between a palace courtyard, a heated subway car, a market alley and a warm restaurant. KMA describes Korean winters as shaped by cold, dry continental air, with northwesterly winds the norm. The Han River runs straight through the middle of Seoul, and the open riverbanks and bridges are where I'd expect that wind to bite. My rule: dress for the coldest hour outdoors, in layers that come off in seconds.

• Early November (highs near 60°F): a light jacket or coat over layers, as VisitKorea suggests for fall's temperature swings.
• Late November and December (nights near or below freezing): a real winter coat, like a down jacket, plus gloves, a scarf and a hat. VisitKorea's winter advice is thick outerwear at all times.
• Thin layers underneath: two thin layers beat one bulky sweater in a heated café.
• Shoes that slip off, and socks you're happy to show: Visit Seoul says some restaurants ask diners to remove their shoes and sit cross-legged at low tables, and temples ask you to take them off before entering any building.
• Clothes you can sit cross-legged in: at those low tables, wide trousers or a long, loose skirt beat anything short or tight.
• Lip balm and hand cream: for that dry winter air.
• Non-slip soles if snow or ice is forecast: VisitKorea recommends them for winter.
• A foldable tote: for the scarf, hat and gloves you'll peel off at every café.

November: the last leaves and kimchi season

Jongmyo Shrine in November 2025. · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization (서문교) (opens in a new tab), "Jongmyo Shrine," 2025 / KOGL Type 1 (opens in a new tab), cropped from 960x1280 to 960x720 (4:3)

• Foliage: the Korea Forest Service's 2026 forecast puts the nationwide peak (half the leaves turned) in late October, with ginkgo on October 30 and maples on October 31. Naejangsan is forecast for November 4 and Hallasan on Jeju for November 6, so early November catches the tail of the season, with the southern parks last.
• Checking one place: the Korea National Arboretum's search gives a forecast peak date for any address (in Korean): knpn.nature.go.kr, under Observation Records > Seasonal Forecast.

Late autumn is also kimjang season, when communities make and share big batches of kimchi to last the winter. UNESCO added kimjang to its intangible heritage list in 2013. For a visitor, the hands-on version is a class.

Korean Kimchi Making Day Experience with a Local Market Tour

I like this one for a raw November day: it's indoors, it's hands-on, and it fits the season.

• What you do: the listing says this is a hands-on class, not a demo. You prep the ingredients from scratch at your own cooking table.
• What you take away: a tasting, then more than 1 kg of your own kimchi in a plastic container, plus a cookbook. Drinks, including water and rice wine, are included.
• Where: meet at Entrance 2 of Mangwon Station (line 6).
• Before you buy: think about where a kilo of kimchi will live. A hotel fridge works; a whole evening out with it in your bag doesn't.

December: lights, a holiday and one real winter day

Seoul Lantern Festival on Cheonggyecheon, November 2018. · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization (라이브스튜디오) (opens in a new tab), "Seoul Lantern Festival," 2018 / KOGL Type 1 (opens in a new tab)

Last winter's lineup, so you know what to look for:

• Seoul Winter Festa 2025: December 12, 2025 to January 4, 2026, at six sites from Gwanghwamun Square to DDP.
• Seoul Lantern Festival 2025: lantern sculptures along Cheonggyecheon from Cheonggye Plaza past Samil Bridge toward DDP, December 12, 2025, extended to January 18, 2026. A Seoul city news report by a citizen reporter put it at 6–10 pm daily, free to walk.
• Gwanghwamun Market 2025: a Christmas-market-style village on the square, December 12–31, 2025.
• Seoul Plaza ice rink 2025–26: December 19, 2025 to February 8, 2026, the city's pick for kids on winter break.
• Bosingak New Year's bell: overnight from December 31, 2025 into January 1, 2026.

Holidays in 2026: Christmas Day (Friday, December 25) and New Year's Day are public holidays in Korea.

In mid-to-late December, I'd hold one evening for Cheonggyecheon in case the lanterns return. Last winter, walking them was free.

Seoul: Eobi Ice Valley, Elysian Ski Resort, Nami Island Day Trip

One taste of winter without renting a car. The listing gives no season dates, so book only once Elysian announces its 2026–27 opening.

• The day: about 3.5 hours at Elysian Gangchon ski resort (free time, sledding, skiing or snowboarding), then Nami Island, then a short stop at Eobi Ice Valley. The listing calls it a valley covered with ice in winter; how much ice depends on how cold it has been.
• First-timers: ski options include a one-hour basic lesson; snowboard options don't. The listing says most slopes suit beginners or intermediates and advises first-timers against a lift pass.
• With kids: there's a sled option. Baby car seats aren't provided.
• Not included: meals, ski suits and waterproof gloves. Bring your own gloves or buy a pair at the resort, and rent a suit at a rental shop.
• Meeting points: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station Exit 9, Myeongdong Station Exit 4, or Hongik Univ. Station Exit 8.
• Where it ends: first at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, then Myeongdong Station. It doesn't return to Hongdae.

After a long, cold day, I'd get off at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park and keep dinner close. If the lanterns are back, last winter's route ran along Cheonggyecheon toward DDP.

Want more time on the slopes? The same operator's Seoul: Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort Day Trip, Transfers, Upgrades (opens in a new tab) gives about 7 hours at the resort, with no Nami or Eobi stops.

Evenings when the sun sets around 5:15–5:30

I'd put palaces and outdoor walks mid-day and save the dark hours for places that look better lit.

Seoul : Night Hidden Gems Walking Tour

• Route: from Hyehwa Station Exit 2 through the neighborhood's theater district and Ihwa Mural Village, up to Naksan Park and the Hanyang City Wall for night views over Seoul.
• Who it suits: an early night of your trip, if you like stories and don't mind hills.
• Dress for it: it's outdoors and climbs after dark, so this is the night for gloves and a hat.
• Before you buy: confirm the start time when you book. An optional food stop afterward isn't included in the price.

If your trip includes Busan or Jeju

The south is milder (KMA, 1991–2020):

• Busan: November 62°F / 47°F, December 51°F / 36°F (high / low).
• Jeju City: November 62°F / 51°F, December 52°F / 42°F, with more December precipitation than Seoul (2.2 inches against 0.9).

In November, a medium jacket covers a southern leg; in December, keep the warm coat for evenings there too.

Useful official pages before you go

• KMA: short-range forecast (English) (opens in a new tab)
• VisitKorea: climate and seasons, with packing tips (opens in a new tab)
• Visit Seoul: Korean etiquette, including where shoes come off (opens in a new tab)
• Korea National Arboretum: foliage peak search by address (in Korean) (opens in a new tab)
• Seoul city: last winter's festival program and venues (in Korean) (opens in a new tab)

Your next step: find your dates in the ten-day table and pack for the low, not the high.