Christmas In Pyeongtaek

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Every December in the South of Seoul group (Pyeongtaek Food & Fun) new arrivals ask about Christmas experiences they can have in the area. Every year we think, “We should write a blog about that”. Well, this year we’re finally writing one! So, grab a hot cup of cocoa, put on your favorite Christmas carols, curl up on your couch with a cozy blanket and prepare to be disappointed. Yes, you read that right. Maybe add some booze to that cocoa before we go further.

Have you added the Kaluha now? Ok then, let’s start by ripping the band-aide off fast. Christmas is different in Korea. It’s true that South Korea is vastly Christian, but it also has its own unique culture that does things its own unique way. That means cultural traditions, such as Christmas,  have evolved differently. In Korea Christmas isn’t about giving gifts or decorating the house. Instead, it is a couple’s holiday similar to Valentine’s day when lovebirds go out on dates. Lately, some parents have started giving their kids a gift or two, or companies will do a Secret Santa, and friends will buy each other gifts.  Sadly, however, it’s NOTHING like the U.S. or Europe.

Question: Where can I get Christmas decorations?

First up, decorating isn’t going to be what you expect. Don’t get your hopes up or they will be dashed. Until a few years ago we could hardly find anything to decorate the house. We actually had to bring Christmas lights from home. Truth is, we often didn’t even decorate at all. Instead we would all go to the one expat’s house who managed to get a tree from a soldier who was leaving. Thankfully, a few years ago – as the middle class expanded and the free-trade agreement kicked in at high-speed – stores realized they could make more money by marketing Western holidays. Suddenly Home Plus and Daiso had entire sections with fake trees, decorations, and lights. Each year the selection improves and we have more of the Christmas options.

Even as the commercialization of Christmas creeps into Korea, we have chosen to embrace minimal Christmas as a wonderful opportunity to take a rest from the wild holidays and focus on family. It is hard to let go of tradition, but it also challenges us to get in touch with the true meaning of the season. That said, not everyone is us, and if you desperately need decorations and don’t want to order them online, you can try the following places:

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  • Daiso
  • Home Plus
  • Emart
  • Lotte Mart
  • Costco

Question: Where can we view Christmas lights?

2018/2019 Dates: 18/12/10 – 19/2/28 from 5pm-12am

We are very happy to announce the Pyeongtaek City Hall has fallen in love with lights for the holidays and has been doing more and bigger displays each year. Pyeongtaek decorates 7 different spots and they run from mid-December through the end of February. Notice the dates! That’s right, the dates for lights are totally different than we are used to in our home countries. Consider them winter lights and NOT Christmas lights.  Thinking this way will make it less weird and more delightful. Plus, you won’t be shocked by the angel wings, the Taj Mahal, the palm trees, etc. You can also feel less stressed about rushing to visit them before Christmas. You have months to enjoy them. Take your time.

With that said, here are the spots Pyeongtaek decorates through the winter months:

  • Songtan City Hall
  • Pyeongtaek City Hall
  • AK Plaza 
  • Pyeongtaek Lake
  • The street in front of Osan AFB walking gate
  • The street in front of Camp Humphreys walking gate
  • Hyeonhwa Park in Anjung

Question: What’s up with the holiday music?

An important thing to note is that in Asia Christmas music, like the lights, isn’t about Christmas – it’s about winter. That means Christmas carols will play in stores year round but mostly from November through February. It’s not going to go away after Christmas. 

Also, if you go to a Christmas concert or event, don’t expect it to be especially Christmas-like. There will be a lot going on that you might not expect. Just sit back and enjoy the experience. This is just how we roll.

Question: What to do about Christmas Dinner

This is where things get interesting. Basically everywhere is going to be open on Christmas and the city is going to be super busy. It’s one of the biggest date nights of the year. You aren’t going to be stuck at home.

Don’t expect to find Western Christmas foods in the regular Korean grocery stores. However, not all hope is lost. Turkeys and pumpkin pie are now being imported at Costco. You can sometimes find cranberries in the frozen section at Emart or Home Plus. Just remember, things from home purchased here will often be “home-like” but not the same.  This is because our Christmas stuff comes to Korea as an amalgamation of Christmas from all over the world: Germany, Italy, Canada, US, England, France, etc. Even at the fancy restaurants Christmas dinner will be amazing, but not like home. Prepare emotionally and then you can fall in love with the effort Korea has made to bring thing in from other countries instead of being angry at it for not being the same as home. Embrace the Christmas spirit and have grace for the differences.

If you are looking for help with Christmas dinner at home, JP’s American BBQ will be smoking turkeys. Order early to get on their list. There is only so much room in the smoker so they may sellout.

Not having things be the same as home during the holidays is very hard at first, especially if you aren’t prepared for it. Couple this with the fact the holidays are already the hardest time and it’s going to be difficult to fight off the culture shock. Be sure to set aside time to video message with home. It ALWAYS helps.

Question: What if I have my heart set on finding something specific?

You can always contact a concierge service like Wonderful. They have bi-lingual personal assistants who can help you find unusual things you have been looking for, like a real Christmas tree!


So, now that we are coming to the end you might be thinking, “It doesn’t sound that bad, why were you so drama and telling us we would be disappointed?” Well, you are right, it’s not that bad. Christmas in Korea is truly delightful when you can escape your own heartache for what is waiting for you when you get back home. Breath deep, embrace the change, and explore the new type of Christmas.

A few ideas for celebrating the holidays in Pyeongtaek.

Now that we have broken the hard news about things not quite being like home, let’s talk about some of the truly fabulous things we adore about Christmas/Winter season in Pyeongtaek. These are the things we look forward to doing each year:

  • Mulled Wine/ Gluehwein is in season. Hot spice wine will be served at restaurants and cafes across the country. It’s delicious and you should drink lots of it. Del Vino and Braai Republic are two great places to grab a hot mug of it in Pyeongtaek.
  • Visit all seven areas Pyeongtaek has lit with lights. We do this every year. It’s fun to see how they change and evolve each year.
  • Seasonal drinks at Starbucks. Don’t judge. It makes it feel just like home.
  • Dinner out on Christmas day. We usually choose a place near the lights. The streets will be alive with people and it feels amazing.
  • Participate in charity giving. There are many charities that host events. Look for an opportunity to give back to the community.
  •  Gathering together for Church potlucks. Many churches have warm and inviting holiday meals that are a joy to attend. Find a church gathering and celebrate together.
  • Hosting a Christmas dinner for friends. Gather together with other expats and celebrate at home. Have everyone bring a special food or tradition to share together. This is what we will be doing! We bake cookies together during the day and then go for that dinner we mentioned earlier. That often means Ceviche 210.

Well, this is all we have time for this year. We are wishing everyone a wonderful and Merry Pyeongtaek Christmas.