Cheonggyecheonui Bit (청계천의 빛) 2026 runs for 21 days, from December 11 to 31, 2026, around Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul. The lights are on every evening from 6 PM to 10 PM, and entry is free for everyone. The festival first lit up Seoul’s winter nights in 2015, and this year is its twelfth edition. The name roughly means “the light of Cheonggyecheon,” after the stream that runs through downtown Seoul.
This year’s theme is “Light Up Tomorrow” (내일을 밝히는 꿈). The big tree, the photo zones and the Dreamlight Train, a mini train, are all back. New this year, a large digital screen will show artwork by young artists with developmental disabilities, along with dream messages sent in by the public.
What Is Cheonggyecheonui Bit?
Cheonggyecheonui Bit is a winter light festival that began in Seoul in 2015. The 2026 festival is the twelfth, and its official title is “2026 Cheonggyecheonui Bit, Light Up Tomorrow.” This year it’s built as a storytelling festival: light installations that tell the dreams and hopes of Seoul’s residents.
The festival is hosted by The Kyunghyang Shinmun (경향신문사) and organized by the 2026 Cheonggyecheonui Bit Organizing Committee. Cheonggye Plaza sits right in the middle of downtown Seoul, so the subway gets you there easily.
Cheonggyecheonui Bit 2026 Dates and Opening Hours
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 11 – December 31, 2026 (21 days) |
| Lighting ceremony (The First Glow) | December 12, 2026 |
| Hours | Daily, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Venue | Cheonggye Plaza area, Cheonggyecheon, Jung-gu, Seoul |
| Address | 1 Taepyeong-ro 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 태평로 1가 1) |
| Admission | Free |
| Inquiries | 02-904-1159 |
The festival opens on December 11, but the lighting ceremony comes a day later, on December 12. Its start time hasn’t been announced yet. Details can still change, so check with the organizers (02-904-1159) before you go.
Cheonggyecheonui Bit 2026 Programs
| Program | What It Is |
|---|---|
| The First Glow | Lighting ceremony (December 12, 2026) |
| Dreamlight Square | Giant tree, LED installations and photo zones |
| Dreamlight Train | Mini train rides |
| Shining Dreams | Screenings of messages sharing residents’ dreams and wishes |
| Dream Canvas | Screenings of artwork on the themes of “dreams” and “light” by young artists with developmental disabilities |
Dreamlight Square: The Tree and Photo Zones
A giant tree, LED installations and photo zones will fill Cheonggye Plaza. The unusual trees and photo spots have drawn crowds every year, and they’re back this year.
Dreamlight Train: Mini Train Rides
The mini train, called “Ppuppu” (뿌뿌), first ran in 2024. In 2025 its route was extended from the center of Cheonggye Plaza to Santa Village, and children 120 cm tall or under could ride for free on site, with no reservation needed. The 2026 riding conditions haven’t been officially announced yet. Look for updates on the official website or Instagram.
Shining Dreams and Dream Canvas
Shining Dreams puts dream and wish messages from members of the public up on a giant digital screen. In 2025, people picked a date and time on the official website, submitted a video message, and saw it played on the screen. How to take part in 2026 hasn’t been confirmed yet.
At Dream Canvas, artwork by young artists with developmental disabilities is shown on a large screen.
How Much Does Cheonggyecheonui Bit 2026 Cost?
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Festival admission | Free (open to everyone) |
| Dreamlight Train | 2026 conditions not yet announced (in 2025, children 120 cm or under rode free on site) |
You don’t need a ticket for the festival. Just head to Cheonggye Plaza any time between 6 PM and 10 PM.
Getting to Cheonggye Plaza for Cheonggyecheonui Bit
You can walk to Cheonggye Plaza from Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Subway Line 5 or City Hall Station on Line 1. From Incheon International Airport, take the Airport Railroad (AREX) to Seoul Station, switch to Line 1, and get off at City Hall Station.
From Within Seoul
| From | How | To | Distance / Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5) | Walk from Exit 5 | Cheonggyecheon entrance on the Cheonggye Plaza side | About 100 m, about 2 min |
| City Hall Station (Line 1) | Walk from the station | Cheonggye Plaza | About 400 m |
Gwanghwamun Station Exit 5 is the closest to the festival site.
From Incheon International Airport
| From | Train | Time to Seoul Station | Adult Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 1 Station | AREX all-stop train | 59 min | 4,750 KRW (~$3.50 USD), transit card |
| Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 2 Station | AREX all-stop train | 66 min | 5,350 KRW (~$4 USD), transit card |
| Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 1 Station | AREX express train (non-stop) | 43 min | 13,000 KRW (~$9.70 USD) |
For the express train, buy your ticket before you board. At Seoul Station, transfer to Line 1 and get off at City Hall Station, then walk to Cheonggye Plaza.
Tips for Visiting Cheonggyecheonui Bit
- Go on December 12 for the lighting ceremony. The festival opens on December 11, and The First Glow ceremony is held the next day.
- Visit between 6 PM and 10 PM. The lights are only on during these hours.
- Use Gwanghwamun Station Exit 5. The Cheonggyecheon entrance is about 100 m away, a walk of roughly 2 minutes.
- Check the Dreamlight Train notices first. The 2026 riding conditions haven’t been announced yet. Follow the official website (http://www.seoulcl.kr/main/index.html) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/seoul_cl) for updates.
- Confirm the schedule before you set out. The organizers say details may change, so call 02-904-1159 or check the official channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Cheonggyecheonui Bit 2026 start and end?
It runs for 21 days, from December 11 to December 31, 2026. The lights are on every day from 6 PM to 10 PM around Cheonggye Plaza.
When is the lighting ceremony?
The lighting ceremony (The First Glow) is on December 12, 2026. That’s the day after the festival opens on December 11. The ceremony time hasn’t been announced, so check the official website or call 02-904-1159.
Is there an admission fee?
No, there isn’t. Cheonggyecheonui Bit 2026 is free for everyone.
Who can ride the mini train (Dreamlight Train), and do I need a reservation?
The 2026 riding conditions for the Dreamlight Train haven’t been officially announced. For reference, in 2025 children 120 cm tall or under could ride for free on site, with no reservation. Check the official website and Instagram for this year’s conditions.
Which subway station is closest to Cheonggye Plaza?
Gwanghwamun Station Exit 5 on Line 5 is the closest. The Cheonggyecheon entrance on the Cheonggye Plaza side is about 100 m away, roughly a 2-minute walk. Cheonggye Plaza is also about 400 m from City Hall Station on Line 1.
How do I get from Incheon International Airport to Cheonggyecheonui Bit?
Take the Airport Railroad (AREX) to Seoul Station, transfer to Line 1, and get off at City Hall Station. The all-stop train takes 59 minutes from Incheon Int’l Airport Terminal 1 Station to Seoul Station and costs 4,750 KRW (~$3.50 USD) for adults with a transit card. The express train takes 43 minutes and costs 13,000 KRW (~$9.70 USD) for adults.
Is this the same event as the Seoul Lantern Festival?
No, they’re separate festivals. The Seoul Lantern Festival (서울빛초롱축제) is also held around Cheonggyecheon every December, and in 2025 its Zone 1 ran from Cheonggye Plaza to Gwangtonggyo Bridge. For 2026, the Seoul city festival portal lists its dates only as “December (tentative).”
Where can I find festival updates?
Check the official website and Instagram. The website is http://www.seoulcl.kr/main/index.html, and the Instagram account is https://www.instagram.com/seoul_cl. For phone inquiries, call 02-904-1159.
