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Must-see shows in Seoul during winter holidays

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By Kwon Mee-yoo
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Korea National Ballet's production of 'The Nutcracker' / Courtesy of Korea National Ballet

Korea National Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker" / Courtesy of Korea National Ballet

When the winter holidays arrive, theaters come alive with classic favorites and new productions ready to whisk audiences away to realms of fantasy, heart and spectacle. Whether you crave timeless holiday magic, high-energy musicals or a truly unconventional night out, this season offers plenty of reasons to trade a cold night out for a seat in the theater.

Holiday classics

The beloved ballet “The Nutcracker” is staged in various productions, highlighting its enduring charm as a holiday ballet.

The Korean National Ballet presents Yuri Grigorovich’s celebrated version at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater through Dec. 25, featuring top principal dancers such as Park Seul-ki and Cho Yeon-jae. In a unique tradition, the role of the Nutcracker is performed by a child dancer chosen annually from the company’s ballet academy, rather than a wooden puppet, adding a special charm to the production.

The Universal Ballet Company’s “The Nutcracker” is based on Vasili Vainonen’s Mariinsky Ballet version, which closely follows the original 1892 St. Petersburg premiere. From the ethereal “Waltz of the Snowflakes” to the diverse “Land of Sweets,” this ballet is an ideal choice for families seeking a festive outing. It will be staged at the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul from Dec. 17 to 28.

For those seeking a fresh take on a classic, the Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theatre’s new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” brings Scrooge’s emotional journey to stage. In this musical, one actor plays all three of the ghostly guides who visit Scrooge, with Lisa and Lee Yeon-kyung alternating the role. The score moves seamlessly from warm melodies to stirring, dramatic numbers. The show runs through Dec. 28 at the Sejong M Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

A scene from the musical 'Rent' / Yonhap

A scene from the musical "Rent" / Yonhap

Musicals and plays

Jonathan Larson’s iconic rock musical “Rent” sets its story on a Christmas Eve in early‑1990s New York, tracing the lives of young artists struggling to survive, create and love amid uncertainty. Gritty yet hopeful, the show’s themes of loss, community and resilience give it a distinct holiday resonance. “Rent” runs through Feb. 22, 2026, at COEX Artium in southern Seoul.

For pure spectacle and pop culture flair, “Moulin Rouge!” dazzles with its Parisian cabaret world of windmills, romance and mash-ups of over 70 pop hits, from Madonna's "Material Girl" to Beyonce's "Single Ladies." Hong Kwang-ho, Lee Seok-hoon and Cha Yun-hae alternate as Christian, while Kim Ji-woo and Jeong Sun-ah share the role of Satine. It runs through Feb. 22, 2026, at Blue Square in central Seoul.

A scene from the musical 'Moulin Rouge!' / Courtesy of CJ ENM

A scene from the musical "Moulin Rouge!" / Courtesy of CJ ENM

Tim Burton fans can enjoy the musical “Beetlejuice,” which brings the director’s signature gothic aesthetic and offbeat humor to life on stage. With a set that shifts between the present and the Victorian era, giant sandworm puppets and ghostly football players, the show transforms LG Arts Center in southwestern Seoul into a surreal playground. Jung Sung-hwa, Kim Jun-su and Jung Won-young share the role of Beetlejuice, delivering a Korean take on this American cult classic from Dec. 16 to March 22, 2026.

One of this season’s most anticipated productions is the first non-English adaptation of “Life of Pi,” based on Yann Martel’s award-winning 2001 novel. Film star Park Jeong-min and stage actor Park Kang-hyun take turns portraying Pi, a boy who survives a shipwreck and a 227-day journey at sea with a Bengal tiger. Audiences are treated to breathtaking stagecraft that transports them from a hospital in Mexico to a zoo in India and out onto the Pacific Ocean, all in seamless transition. At the heart of the show is a life-sized tiger puppet, brought to life by three puppeteers moving as one. “Life of Pi” is staged at GS Arts Center in southern Seoul through March 2, 2026.

A scene from the Korean stage production of 'Life of Pi' / Courtesy of S&CO

A scene from the Korean stage production of "Life of Pi" / Courtesy of S&CO

Forge your own path

If you’re seeking something unconventional to wrap up the year, “Sleep No More” at the McKithan Hotel offers an immersive adventure unlike anything else in Korea. This site-specific performance invites audiences to roam freely through a vast 1930s-inspired hotel, experiencing scenes inspired by “Macbeth” and Hitchcock films. With multiple storylines unfolding across seven floors, no two visits are the same. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and explore solo for the best experience. The McKithan Hotel is located near Chungmuro Station on Seoul Metro lines 3 and 4 and the show is on an open-ended run.

A scene from the Korean production of 'Sleep No More,' an immersive theater staged at the McKithan Hotel in central Seoul / Courtesy of Ms. Jackson

A scene from the Korean production of "Sleep No More," an immersive theater staged at the McKithan Hotel in central Seoul / Courtesy of Ms. Jackson