A 30-meter-wide sun sculpture set to be unveiled for the bell-ringing event at Bosingak Pavilion on New Year's Eve is seen in this illustration. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Seoul City plans to launch Seoul Winter Festa 2024, a series of year-end festivals across the city, including a media art display and a bell-ringing event in the downtown area, city government officials said Thursday.

This year's edition will take place between Dec. 13 and Jan. 5 under the theme "soul prism," with dazzling media art and sculptures portraying the various faces of Seoul.

The festival's first edition last year attracted some 7.4 million visitors.

Theater director Yang Jung-ung, who also led the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics as the executive producer, will orchestrate the network of festivals this year.

The festival will kick off on Dec. 13 with a lighting ceremony around Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggye Stream at 6 p.m. The opening event will take place at the recently reconstructed ceremonial stage, known as "woldae," in front of Gyeongbok Palace's Gwanghwamun Gate.

A woldae is a large square platform built from stone in front of major structures of ancient palaces, presumably used by kings of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty for royal rituals and ceremonies. The woldae in front of Gwanghwamun was first unveiled to the public after about a century, after restoration was completed last year.

During the festival, Gwanghwamun Square and Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) will feature media artwork by renowned international artists, including Lim Tae-gyu from Korea, David Hartono from Italy, Javier Cañal Sanchez from Spain and David Hugonot and Jean Jullien from France.

In Gwanghwamun Square, a 14-meter-high Christmas tree will be set up, along with a Christmas market.

A giant Christmas tree and lighting decor are seen at Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul in this provided undated photo. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

On New Year's Eve, a 30-meter-wide sun sculpture, named the "Midnight Sun," is set to rise behind Bosingak Pavilion in central Seoul while civil representatives ring the bell 33 times, the city said.

The popular midnight bell-ringing celebration at Bosingak Pavilion has been held every Dec. 31 since 1953, though public attendance was prohibited during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Those who wish to make recommendations for civil representatives can visit culture.seoul.go.kr by the end of November.

LED wristbands, which will be provided to 15,000 visitors in the crowd during the event, will also illuminate the site.

"We will design the Seoul Winter Festa as a representative global festival and make it a brand," said Yang Jung-wung, the director in charge of the festival at the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Meanwhile at DDP, a souvenir fair featuring lifestyle products and handcrafted items of 120 brands will be held from Friday to Saturday, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO).

Themed "Welcome to the souvenir town," the third edition of the event this year will also feature exhibition halls that present souvenirs from different regions of the country.

A special "souvenir show" starring singer Kwanghee, a member of the K-pop group ZE:A, will also take place, as well as a culinary souvenir talk show starring chef Oh Se-deuk and a lucky draw event.

"We hope the exhibition becomes an opportunity to present the value of souvenirs showcasing Korea and its regions' charms, while also providing new business opportunities," said Kim Dong-il, executive vice president of the KTO.