(Lotte Department Store)

<이미지를 클릭하시면 크게 보실 수 있습니다>

The European-style Christmas Market at Lotte Department Store’s outdoor plaza in Jamsil, southern Seoul, has become a must-visit destination for holiday outings.

Couples and families seeking a festive atmosphere have flocked to the market, which features an expanded range of food stalls, toy shops, and interactive experiences like photo booths.

According to the Lotte Department Store on Monday, the Christmas Market, which opened on November 20 at the outdoor lawn plaza of Lotte World Mall in Jamsil, attracted over 250,000 visitors by December 15, averaging nearly 10,000 visitors daily.

When combined with the 150,000 visitors at the Time Villas Market in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, the total number of attendees has surpassed 400,000 within just one month.

The Jamsil location achieved this milestone 20 percent faster than during the same period last year.

If the current pace continues, the market is expected to draw nearly double the 240,000 visitors recorded by the end of last year, reaching 400,000 by New Year’s Eve.

Lotte Department Store has dedicated significant effort to positioning the Christmas Market as Seoul’s premier holiday attraction.

While past events were held indoors, the outdoor European-themed setup debuted last year and was expanded this year to cover approximately 2,300 square meters, nearly doubling in size.

This year’s market boasts over 40 shops, offering ornaments, food, toys, and souvenirs—double the number of vendors from last year.

Visitors can purchase gifts, including LEGO toys, and capture memories at self-service photo booths.

By incorporating nearly every element visitors expect from a tourist hotspot, the market ensures a lively and engaging experience.

One of the market’s most popular features is its ticketing system, which doubles as store credit. Both the standard admission ticket, priced at 2,000 won, and the 10,000 won fast-track ticket, which allows visitors to skip the lines, can be used as vouchers at market vendors.

This system has contributed to a 60 percent increase in vendor sales compared to last year.

Fast-track tickets, sold in three phases, have already sold out for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the preceding weekend.

The Time Villas Market in Suwon has also gained popularity, spanning two indoor floors across the center hall and outdoor plaza.

Featuring around 20 vintage-style shops, it has become another favorite destination for holiday visitors.