Seoul Lantern Festival 2026

The Seoul Lantern Festival (Seoul Deungnori) runs for approximately three weeks each November along Cheonggyecheon Stream, the 11-kilometre urban waterway that cuts through central Seoul between Gwanghwamun and Dongdaemun. The festival began in 2009 and has grown into one of Seoul’s most attended free cultural events, drawing millions of visitors across its run.

The lantern installations

The centrepiece of the festival is the series of large illuminated lantern structures installed above and along Cheonggyecheon. Each year features a new theme, with installations ranging from recreations of historical Korean scenes and figures to abstract contemporary designs and folk tale imagery. The structures are placed at intervals along several kilometres of the stream and are reflected in the water below, creating a distinctive mirror effect. The walking route from Cheonggyecheon Plaza near City Hall downstream toward Dongdaemun takes around 90 minutes at a comfortable pace with stops.

Beyond the fixed installations, sections of the stream allow visitors to purchase and float smaller personal paper lanterns on the water. This part of the programme is popular and tends to operate on a timed entry or queuing basis on busy evenings. Lanterns are available on-site for a small fee.

The surrounding Jongno and Euljiro districts host related cultural programming during the festival period, including traditional performance stages, market stalls and craft workshops. The nearby Dongdaemun Design Plaza also typically runs complementary evening events.

Practical information

Entry to the festival and the Cheonggyecheon walkway is free. The stream is accessible at multiple points via stairways from street level. The nearest subway stations are Gwanghwamun (Line 5), Jongno 3-ga (Lines 1, 3, 5) and Dongdaemun (Lines 1, 4) depending on where you join the route.

November evenings in Seoul are cold, with temperatures typically between 5 and 12°C. Dress warmly for extended outdoor walking. The festival is most atmospheric after dark; arriving around 6 to 7 pm captures the full visual effect. Weekends and the final weekend in particular are very crowded. Visiting on a weekday evening gives a significantly calmer experience without missing the main installations. For more on getting around Seoul, see our practical travel guide.