New Year’s Eve 2026: From Fireworks and Light Shows to Family-Friendly Events in Korea
- lewishooper1
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Struggling with ideas of what to do this New Year's Eve? Well, not for any longer! This article will guide you to the best places to visit this year and is suitable for everyone. Let's check them out!
Finding the right New Year's Eve event for you and your friends or family in Korea can be a daunting thought. In this article, we will showcase our top picks of destinations where you should consider spending your New Year's Eve this year! So let's check them out!
If you are in Seoul for New Year's Eve, then the very futuristic DDP is a great family-friendly place to visit! In fact, it is the traditional site for a massive media façade show known as Seoul Light, which runs through the winter season. This event usually features a New Year's Eve countdown each year, and it showcases a dazzling illumination display with LEDs.
For more information:
While this location does not have any fireworks, this is actually the most significant and traditional countdown event on our list. The bell-ringing ceremony is where the large bronze bell is struck 33 times at midnight, usually by some famous faces and government officials. This area is extremely crowded with people who gather in the Jongno district to welcome the new year with a historical ceremony, so it is best to arrive early to secure the best spot and avoid disappointment
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Busan: Gwangalli Beach Drone Show
The stunning Gwangalli Beach often replaces traditional fireworks with a magnificent New Year's Eve drone light show, set against the backdrop of the illuminated Diamond Bridge. This is an event that Lewis Hooper from the Dojeon Media Team has enjoyed for the past two years! Thanks to its popular and prime spot right on the beachfront, this is a frontrunner of New Year's Eve events this year! And the best thing... It's completely free
For more information regarding this year's event, check out the link!
Yongdusan Park, near Busan Tower, is the central location for Busan's New Year's Eve countdown and the traditional bell-tolling ceremony. So if you are after something more traditional this year, then this could be the destination for you! This gathering usually showcases a traditional, lively fireworks display to celebrate the stroke of midnight and welcome in the New Year! This event, however, does fill up early, so if you want to avoid the crowds, then arrive early!
For more information, check out this link!
Daegu's main light-centric celebration is held at E-World amusement park, which hosts a major Illumination festival throughout the winter, and it is great for the whole family. This event, however, does involve either entering the park with a valid admission ticket or watching the show from a distance at the nearby Duryu Park. This is a great event if you are looking for a more local experience, and it is fun for all the family as well, so what's not to love?!
For more information: https://eworld.kr/
Final thoughts
Whatever your budget or plans are this New Year's Eve, Korea has a whole host of fun and exciting events for you to experience, regardless of your age! For the Dojeon team, these are our top picks for visitors and locals alike, although we would love to hear how you will be spending this New Year's Eve in the comments below
Where will you spend this New Year's Eve? Let the Dojeon team know in the comments below!