Unhyeongung Great Fortune Lunar New Year Celebration

🗓️ 2025.01.28 ~ 2025.01.30

To celebrate Seollal, the nation’s biggest holiday that heralds the ‘Year of the Blue Snake,’ Unhyeongung Palace in Seoul will be hosting a variety of traditional cultural events. These events are designed to provide a meaningful holiday experience for Seoul citizens and foreign visitors alike, with a particular focus on families with children. The celebration aims to make Unhyeongung more accessible to the public by offering a diverse range of experiences and performances.

Performance Events

The performance schedule is thoughtfully curated to offer a mix of traditional and contemporary art forms, ensuring there’s something to captivate every attendee. Each performance is free, inviting everyone to partake in the festivities without financial barriers.

Fusion Korean Traditional Music & Magic Performance to Enjoy with Family
- January 28th, 14:00-15:30
- Free
- This unique performance blends the enchanting sounds of traditional Korean music with the mystique of magic, creating an unforgettable experience for families.
New Year’s Jisin-balgi (Earth God’s Stomp) and Our Melodies, Our Sounds
- January 29th, 14:00-14:40
- Free
- A vibrant display of traditional Korean music and dance, this performance is a symbolic ritual to appease the Earth God and ensure a prosperous new year.
Gayageum Byeongchang (Narrative Song accompanied by Gayageum) & Circus Performance for All Generations
- January 30th, 14:00-15:30
- Free
- This event combines the elegant art of Gayageum Byeongchang, a narrative song accompanied by the Gayageum instrument, with the excitement of a circus performance, appealing to audiences of all ages.

Experiential Events

In addition to the performances, a variety of hands-on activities are available throughout the celebration. These events offer a unique opportunity to engage with Korean culture and create lasting memories.

New Year’s Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup) Sharing
- January 29th, 12:00-13:00
- Free
- Partake in the tradition of sharing Tteokguk, a rice cake soup traditionally eaten during Seollal, symbolizing good luck and prosperity for the new year.
New Year’s Great Fortune Talisman Stamping
- January 28th~30th, 11:00-16:00
- Free
- Create your own New Year’s talisman, a traditional Korean charm believed to bring good fortune.
Traditional Games
- January 28th~30th, 11:00-16:00
- Free
- Enjoy a variety of traditional Korean games, including Jegichagi (Shuttlecock Kicking), Yutnori (Traditional Board Game), Tuho (Arrow Throwing), Archery, and Gongginori (Jackstones). These games offer a fun and engaging way to experience Korean culture.
Blue Snake Great Fortune Photo Zone
- January 28th~30th, 11:00-16:00
- Free
- Capture your memories at the Blue Snake Great Fortune Photo Zone, a specially designed area for taking festive photos.
New Year’s Fortune Telling (Tarot & Saju (Four Pillars of Destiny))
- January 28th~30th, 11:00-16:00
- 5,000 won
- Discover what the new year holds for you with a fortune-telling session, choosing between Tarot or Saju, a traditional Korean method based on the Four Pillars of Destiny.
Blue Snake Deform Block Making
- January 28th~30th, 11:00-16:00
- 5,000 won
- Get creative and make your own Blue Snake deform block, a unique souvenir to commemorate the Year of the Blue Snake.
Blue Snake Lucky Bag Making
- January 28th~30th, 11:00-16:00
- 5,000 won
- Craft your own Blue Snake lucky bag, a traditional Korean item believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

Event Details

Address: 464 Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Unni-dong) 📍
Accommodation near the event: 🛏️ Accommodation near the event
Fee: Free (Some craft experiences are paid, priced at 5,000 won each) 💰
Inquiries: 02-766-9090 📞
Homepage: https://www.unhyeongung.or.kr/ 🖥️

What is Seollal?

Seollal, or Korean Lunar New Year, is a major traditional holiday in Korea, marking the start of the lunar calendar. It is a time for families to gather, honor their ancestors, and celebrate the new year. The holiday usually spans three days, allowing people to visit their hometowns and engage in various customs.

A key tradition of Seollal is "charye," an ancestral rite where families prepare a table of food offerings to honor their ancestors. This practice is a way to show gratitude and seek blessings for the coming year. Another tradition is "sebae," a respectful bow performed by younger family members to their elders, who often give "sebaetdon," or New Year’s money, in return.

Seollal is also a time for enjoying traditional foods and games. Families eat "tteokguk," a rice cake soup associated with gaining an additional year of age, and play "yutnori," a board game that encourages friendly competition. The holiday combines cultural heritage with family bonding, making it a cherished occasion for Koreans worldwide.