The Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival is a free autumn-and-winter light festival in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Light sculptures line the walking paths around the East and West lakes at Seokchon Lake. It runs from Friday, October 30, 2026 to Sunday, February 28, 2027. The lights are on every evening from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
The 2026 edition’s official Korean title is Hosuui Gaeulgwa Gyeoul Geurigo Luminarie (호수의 가을과 겨울 그리고 루미나리에), which means “the lake’s autumn and winter, and Luminarie.”
What Is the Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival?
“Luminarie” is a style of light festival in which structures are built from strings of light bulbs. Songpa-gu first brought this style to its Seokchon Lake light festival in 2022, and 2026 is the fifth edition. This year it runs for 122 days, with lighting installed along a walking path of about 2.5 km that connects the East Lake (Dongho, 동호) and the West Lake (Seoho, 서호). In autumn you walk under lights set among the fall leaves. In winter the same lakeside glows in the cold night air.
In past years, two installations drew the biggest crowds: the main luminarie at the East Lake entrance and the “Tunnel of Light.” The tunnel borrows the galleria technique from traditional luminarie and lines up six arched structures one after another along a straight path. Earlier editions also had a light trail that looked like settling fireflies and a media-art display featuring Songpa-gu’s mascot characters, Haha Hoho (하하호호).
Best Times and Photo Spots at the Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival
The light installations and photo zones run every day from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM. You can only see the lights during these hours, so plan your visit around them.
Highlights for 2026:
- East Lake entrance: the Main Gate, Tunnel Gate, and Arch Gate, one after another.
- Art installation: a piece by artist Han Ho (한호).
- Around “The Sphere” at the West Lake: LED heart sculptures and a golden photo zone.
For an easy route, start at the East Lake entrance and walk to The Sphere at the West Lake. You’ll pass the main installations in order.
Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival Hours and Admission
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official 2026 title | 호수의 가을과 겨울 그리고 루미나리에 (subtitle: “Promise, Love & Destiny”) |
| Dates | Fri, October 30, 2026 – Sun, February 28, 2027 |
| Lights on | Daily, 17:30 – 22:30 |
| Admission | Free |
| Location | East and West Lake walking paths at Seokchon Lake (about 2.5 km) |
| Address | 서울특별시 송파구 송파나루길 166 (신천동) — 166 Songpanaru-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul (Sincheon-dong) |
| Contact | Songpa-gu 02-2147-2100 / Tourism Promotion Division, Tourism Planning Team 02-2147-2116 |
Full event details are on the Songpa-gu official event page.
How to Get to the Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival
The nearest subway station is Jamsil Station on Lines 2 and 8. From Exit 3 of Line 2’s Jamsil Station, the lake is about a 5-minute walk.
| From | Transport | Travel time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamsil Station (Line 2), Exit 3 | On foot | About 5 minutes | None |
| Incheon International Airport | Airport limousine bus 6000, 6006, 6705, or 6706A → get off at the Lotte World stop (stop no. 24620) | Not officially confirmed | Not officially confirmed |
- The Lotte World airport limousine stop is at the rear entrance of the Lotte World Hotel.
- We couldn’t confirm limousine fares or travel times from official sources, so check with the bus operator before you ride.
- We couldn’t confirm any parking information either. Public transportation is the recommended way to get there.
Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival Tips
- Go during opening week for the most to do. The opening ceremony is on Friday, October 30 at 6:30 PM at the East Lake waterside stage. From October 30 to November 1 there’s also a flea market, hands-on activity booths, and food trucks.
- Catch the early-evening weekend shows. On Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, from 5 PM to 7 PM, Songpa Youth Artists perform. There’s also a flute, jazz piano, and harp ensemble and a magic show.
- Arrive while the lights are on. The lights switch on at 5:30 PM and go off at 10:30 PM.
- Join the Instagram challenge. From October 30 to November 6, the “Hands of Light” (빛을 담는 손) challenge runs on Instagram. Post a photo from the festival with the designated hashtag. The 50 best entries win online coffee coupons.
- Walk both lakes. The gate installations are at the East Lake entrance, while the photo zones around The Sphere are at the West Lake, so you need to cover both to see everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival 2026 run?
It runs from Friday, October 30, 2026 to Sunday, February 28, 2027. That’s 122 days in total, and 2026 is the festival’s fifth edition.
What time do the lights turn on at the Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival?
The lights are on every day from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM. The light installations and photo zones both operate during these hours.
Is there an admission fee for the Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival?
No, admission is free.
When are the opening ceremony performances and fireworks?
They take place on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 6:30 PM at the East Lake waterside stage. The program features a vocal performance by tenor Gang Sin-ju (강신주) and soprano Kim Eun-jeong (김은정), followed by performances from the girl group Our Birthday and Forestella. A lighting ceremony and fireworks follow.
Which Jamsil Station exit is closest to the Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival?
Exit 3 of Jamsil Station on subway Line 2 is the closest. From there it’s about a 5-minute walk.
How do I get from Incheon International Airport to Seokchon Lake?
Take an airport limousine bus and get off at the Lotte World stop. The stop number is 24620, and it’s at the rear entrance of the Lotte World Hotel. Buses 6000, 6006, 6705, and 6706A stop there. We couldn’t confirm fares or travel times from official sources, so check with the bus operator.
Who can I contact about the Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival?
You can contact Songpa-gu at 02-2147-2100 or the Tourism Promotion Division’s Tourism Planning Team at 02-2147-2116.
