Winter Tourism Festival: Opening of the "2025 Lucky Chilgok Christmas Market"

Every Saturday from December 6 to 25
Five Sessions Including Christmas and Christmas Eve at Waegwan Station Plaza

The "2025 Lucky Chilgok Christmas Market," which Chilgok County in North Gyeongsang Province is hosting for the first time this year, successfully concluded its inaugural session with a grand opening fanfare at Waegwan Station Plaza on the 6th.

The event drew significant attention even before its opening, as it introduced a new winter tourism attraction to a region previously lacking a major winter festival. On the first day, a large number of visitors gathered at the venue, confirming the high level of interest.

The "2025 Lucky Chilgok Christmas Market" successfully concluded its first session with a grand opening fanfare at Waegwan Station Plaza on the 6th. / Provided by Chilgok County Office

The highlight of the first session was the "White Tree Forest," which transformed the entire plaza into a winter garden.

The nighttime scenery, featuring a large tree and white installations, encouraged train passengers and visitors to linger at the site. Numerous photo zones and lighting installations throughout the plaza further enhanced the festive year-end atmosphere. One local resident commented, "I really wanted to visit because there are now winter photo zones that my child would love."

Approximately 18 seller markets added vibrancy to the festival by offering a variety of products, including Christmas decorations, handicrafts, winter snacks, and local agricultural specialties.

Sellers who have consistently operated pop-up markets in the region expressed their excitement, saying, "This is the first winter market of this scale in Chilgok, so expectations are high." The focus on participation by local sellers also added meaning to the event.

Various hands-on programs for families, such as mini tree making, cake and cookie decorating, wish lantern hanging, and chestnut roasting, saw high participation from the very first day.

Additionally, the "Chilgok Santa Halmae" mascot-a playful character based on the iconic "Chilgok Halmae" figure representing the county-roamed the venue, capturing the attention of children and families and adding a special Christmas touch to the festivities.

The "Candlelight Concert," the main tree lighting ceremony marking the festival's opening, served as a major highlight of the first session. The ceremony, held under candlelight, illuminated the entire plaza and showcased its potential as a winter night attraction. The nighttime lighting display will continue daily until January 31, 2026.

Meanwhile, the performance program is set to officially begin with the second session on the 13th.

A variety of content will be added in sequence, including busking performances, mime, local choir stages, and a one-minute caricature event by social media influencer "Santi." On the 20th, 24th, and 25th, additional experiences and performances reflecting the unique characteristics of each session-such as magic shows and comic bubble shows-are also planned.

Kim Jaeuk, Mayor of Chilgok County, stated, "This event was prepared so that local small business owners, residents, and tourists alike can enjoy a warm year-end season." He added, "If nearby merchants also actively participate, the Christmas market will establish itself as a winter festival that revitalizes the entire local economy." He continued, "We will maintain a high standard of operation in the remaining sessions and further develop this event into Chilgok's representative winter festival."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.