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What Is the Busan Lantern Festival?
The Busan Lantern Festival (부산연등회) is a large-scale traditional lantern celebration rooted in the Yeondeunghoe — Korea’s lantern lighting tradition inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Running from May 1 to May 17, 2026, the festival transforms Songsanghyeon Square (송상현광장) and Busan Citizens Park (부산시민공원) into a glowing landscape of handcrafted lanterns. Best of all, every program is free.
The Yeondeunghoe stretches back roughly 1,200 years. Each spring, lanterns are lit to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday, carrying wishes for happiness and peace. The Busan Lantern Festival channels that centuries-old spirit through lantern parades, traditional lantern exhibitions, hands-on cultural workshops, and a grand Buddhist celebration — making it one of the most atmospheric spring events in southern Korea.
2026 Festival Details at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Dates | May 1 (Fri) – May 17 (Sun), 2026 |
| Venues | Songsanghyeon Square & Busan Citizens Park |
| Viewing Hours | 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Admission | Free |
| Organized by | Busan Buddhist Association (부산광역시불교연합회) |
| Hosted by | 2570 Busan Yeondeunghoe Celebration Committee |
| Contact | 051-867-0501 |
| Website | Busan Buddhist Association |
Main Programs
Busan Lantern Culture Festival — Songsanghyeon Square
The Lantern Culture Festival runs throughout the entire event period at Songsanghyeon Square. It kicks off with an opening lighting ceremony and continues with traditional lantern displays, a wish lantern experience, cultural workshops, and a communal offering.
| Program | Date & Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Lighting Ceremony | May 1 (Fri), 7:00 PM | Songsanghyeon Square |
| Traditional Lantern Exhibition | May 1 (Fri) – May 17 (Sun) | Songsanghyeon Square |
| Wish Lantern Experience | May 1 (Fri) – May 17 (Sun) | Songsanghyeon Square |
| Traditional Culture Workshops | May 9 (Sat) – May 10 (Sun) | Songsanghyeon Square |
| Mucha Manbal Gongyang (Communal Offering) | May 10 (Sun) | Songsanghyeon Square |
Main Ceremony — Busan Citizens Park
The festival’s highlight takes place on Saturday, May 16, starting at 4:00 PM at Dasom Square inside Busan Citizens Park. The afternoon builds through a community celebration and a formal Buddhist ceremony before culminating in the spectacular lantern parade — the event’s most iconic moment.
| Program | Date & Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Community Celebration (Eoullim Hanmadang) | May 16 (Sat), from 4:00 PM | Dasom Square, Busan Citizens Park |
| Buddhist Celebration Ceremony | May 16 (Sat), from 4:00 PM | Dasom Square, Busan Citizens Park |
| Lantern Parade | May 16 (Sat), from 4:00 PM | Dasom Square, Busan Citizens Park |
Side Events
Two additional events run alongside the main programs:
| Program | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Special Traditional Lantern Exhibition | May 13 (Wed) – May 21 (Thu) | Dasom Gallery, Busan Citizens Park |
| Visitor SNS Photo Contest | Apr 20 (Mon) – May 22 (Fri) | Online |
The SNS photo contest spans well beyond the festival dates, so snap your best shots during the event and enter afterward if needed.
Admission & Pricing
Every single activity at the Busan Lantern Festival is free — no tickets, no reservations, no fees.
| Activity | Price |
|---|---|
| Traditional Lantern Exhibition | Free |
| Wish Lantern Experience | Free |
| Traditional Culture Workshops | Free |
| Lantern Parade Viewing | Free |
| Special Lantern Exhibition | Free |
How to Get There
The festival takes place across two venues in Busanjin-gu (부산진구), both within walking distance of each other.
- Address: 121-1, Dongseong-ro 112beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan (부산광역시 부산진구 동성로112번길 121-1)
- Venues: Songsanghyeon Square & Busan Citizens Park
From Seoul
Take the KTX from Seoul Station to Busan Station — the ride is about 2 hours 30 minutes. From Busan Station, transfer to the Busan Metro to reach the festival area. Alternatively, express buses depart from Seoul Express Bus Terminal and reach Busan in roughly 4 hours 30 minutes.
Within Busan
Ride Busan Metro Line 1 and get off at the station nearest to the venues. Both Songsanghyeon Square and Busan Citizens Park are located in Busanjin-gu and easily reachable on foot from nearby metro stations.
From Gimhae International Airport
Take the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail and transfer to the Busan Metro to reach the festival area. A taxi from the airport takes approximately 30–40 minutes.
From Incheon International Airport
Fly domestically from Incheon to Gimhae International Airport (about 1 hour), or take the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) to Seoul Station and transfer to the KTX for the 2.5-hour trip to Busan.
Tips for Visitors
- Go after dark. The lantern displays are lit from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and they look their most spectacular once the sun has fully set.
- Don’t miss the May 16 main event. The lantern parade is the festival’s crown jewel — arrive by 4:00 PM to catch everything from the start.
- Try the wish lantern experience. It runs the entire festival period (May 1–17) at Songsanghyeon Square and costs nothing.
- Enter the SNS photo contest. Open from April 20 through May 22, so there’s plenty of time to participate after your visit.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Exploring both Songsanghyeon Square and Busan Citizens Park means a lot of walking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is the 2026 Busan Lantern Festival?
The festival runs from May 1 (Fri) to May 17 (Sun), 2026. The main event — featuring the lantern parade and Buddhist celebration — takes place on May 16 (Sat) starting at 4:00 PM at Dasom Square in Busan Citizens Park.
Is the Busan Lantern Festival free?
Yes, every program is completely free. No tickets are required for the traditional lantern displays, wish lantern experience, lantern parade, or any other activity.
Where is the Busan Lantern Festival held?
It takes place at Songsanghyeon Square and Busan Citizens Park in Busanjin-gu, Busan. The address is 121-1, Dongseong-ro 112beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan. The Lantern Culture Festival runs at Songsanghyeon Square, while the main ceremony is held at Dasom Square in Busan Citizens Park.
How do I get to the festival from Seoul?
Take the KTX from Seoul Station to Busan Station — the trip takes about 2.5 hours. From Busan Station, transfer to the Busan Metro to reach the venue.
What are the viewing hours for the lantern displays?
Lantern displays are illuminated from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Visit after sunset for the best experience, when the lanterns glow at their brightest.
What activities can I participate in at the festival?
Hands-on activities include the wish lantern experience (May 1–17), traditional culture workshops (May 9–10), and a free communal tea and food offering called Mucha Manbal Gongyang (May 10). All activities are free of charge.
Is the Yeondeunghoe (Lantern Lighting Festival) a UNESCO heritage event?
Yes, the Yeondeunghoe was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. With roughly 1,200 years of history, it is one of Korea’s most cherished traditions. The Busan Lantern Festival carries this heritage forward in the Busan region.
Who can I contact for more information?
Contact the Busan Buddhist Association at 051-867-0501, or visit their website at www.bba48.or.kr for details.