A normal December in Seoul: 4°C by day, -4°C at night, rain on about 4.5 days (28 mm). What to wear: cold — winter coat, warm layers. Seoul sees fresh snow on about 2.3 days in December. Public holidays: Christmas Day (Dec 25).
December weather around Korea
| City | High / low °C | Rain mm | Rain days | Snow days | Humidity % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | 4° / -4° | 28 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 58 |
| Busan | 10° / 2° | 42 | 3.6 | 0.0 | 48 |
| Jeju City | 11° / 6° | 53 | 7.7 | 0.7 | 64 |
| Gangneung | 7° / -2° | 40 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 46 |
| Gyeongju | 8° / -3° | 29 | 3.0 | — | 56 |
| Jeonju | 7° / -2° | 39 | 6.2 | 3.1 | 67 |
| Daegwallyeong (ski area) | 0° / -10° | 29 | 3.4 | — | 66 |
Seoul daytime highs: November 13°C → December 4°C → January 2°C, so December is colder than the month before. For the next 10 days’ forecast see Korea weather.
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Dec 25 (Fri) | Christmas Day December 25 — a public holiday; department stores and restaurants are open and busy. |
Banks and government offices close on these days; palaces, museums, shops and restaurants mostly open. See Korea public holidays for long weekends and what closes.
Festivals in December 2026
1 festival start in December (Korea Tourism Organization listings).
| Festival | Dates | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Korea Grand Sale (코리아그랜드세일) | Dec 23 – Feb 13 | Seoul |
Running for months (regular shows and exhibitions): Gugak Performance Jinyeon (국악공연 진연) · K-Gugak Stage (K-국악 스테이지) · Ssokssokdeul-i Festival (국립극장 쏙쏙들이페스티벌).
Plan the rest
FAQ
What is the weather like in Korea in December?
In Seoul a normal December has highs around 4°C and lows around -4°C, with rain on about 4.5 days. Jeju is 11°C / 6°C and Busan 10°C / 2°C.
What should I wear in Korea in December?
Cold — winter coat, warm layers. Mornings and evenings are around -4°C in Seoul.
Does it snow in Korea in December?
Seoul sees fresh snow on about 2.3 days in December. In the mountains, Daegwallyeong (near the Pyeongchang ski areas) had about 4.2 days with fresh snow in December while KMA still measured snow there (2011–2015).
Are there public holidays in December 2026?
Christmas Day on Dec 25.
Weather: Korea Meteorological Administration station records, 2011–2025 averages (not the official 1991–2020 normals). Holidays: Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. Festivals: Korea Tourism Organization (TourAPI). Page rebuilt 2026-10-01.
