The SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL is Seoul’s best-known night-time light festival. It runs from Friday, December 11, 2026 to Sunday, January 31, 2027 along Cheonggyecheon Stream, between Cheonggye Plaza and Samilgyo Bridge. The lights are on every evening from 18:00 to 23:00, and entry is free.
What Is the SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL?
The festival started in 2009, and 2026 is its 18th edition. Over the last three years it has drawn an average of 3.4 million visitors. This year’s theme is “서울의 낭만: 빛의 교향곡”, which roughly means “the romance of Seoul: a symphony of light.” Light sculptures made from traditional hanji (Korean paper) lanterns and media art line the stream for the length of the route.
The organizer is the Seoul Tourism Organization (서울관광재단). The same organization also runs Gwanghwamun Market (광화문 마켓), which is open from December 11, 2026 to January 10, 2027.
SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL 2026 Dates and Hours
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday, December 11, 2026 – Sunday, January 31, 2027 |
| Hours | Daily, 18:00 – 23:00 |
| Venue | Cheonggyecheon Stream (Cheonggye Plaza to Samilgyo Bridge) |
| Address | Taepyeongno 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 태평로1가) |
| Admission | Free |
| Organizer | Seoul Tourism Organization |
| Inquiries | 02-3788-8168 |
| Official website | https://www.stolantern.com |
| Official Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seoullanternfestival/ |
Last year’s festival was scheduled to end on January 4, 2026. Only the main Cheonggyecheon section (Cheonggye Plaza to Samilgyo Bridge) was extended, and it stayed open until January 18. No one has said yet whether the 2026 edition will be extended. The Korea Tourism Organization notes that the program can change depending on conditions on site, so call the inquiry line before you go.
SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL Highlights: Four Light Zones
The 2026 display is split into four zones, and each one has its own style.
| Zone | Name |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Hanyang Seogok (한양서곡, “Hanyang Overture”) |
| Zone 2 | Analog Rhapsody (아날로그 랩소디) |
| Zone 3 | Neon Sonata (네온 소나타) |
| Zone 4 | Bitui Hwansanggok (빛의 환상곡, “Fantasia of Light”) |
The festival also has hands-on activities and events alongside the light sculptures. The official page doesn’t show where one zone ends and the next begins. For the schedule of each program, check the official website.
How Much Does the SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL Cost?
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Festival admission | Free |
You don’t need a ticket. Anyone can walk in during opening hours (18:00–23:00).
How to Get to the SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL
Cheonggye Plaza, where the festival starts, is easy to reach by subway. Traffic around the area gets heavy and parking is hard to find, so public transportation is the better choice.
| Station | Line | Exit | Walk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gwanghwamun Station | Line 5 | Exit 5 | Closest to Cheonggye Plaza |
| Jonggak Station | Line 1 | Exit 5 | Under 5 minutes |
| Euljiro 1-ga Station (을지로입구역) | Line 2 | Exit 1 | Under 5 minutes |
We couldn’t confirm subway fares or routes from the airport and other cities, so they aren’t listed here. Look them up before your trip.
SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL Tips
These tips come from a Seoul Media Hub citizen-reporter article about the 2025 festival. The 2026 edition may be different.
| Time | Crowds |
|---|---|
| Weekend evenings, 19:00–21:00 | Busiest |
| Weekdays, 18:00–19:00 | Fairly quiet |
| After 21:00 | Fairly quiet |
- Route: The 2025 route was about 1.2 km long. The article suggested starting at Cheonggye Plaza and walking downstream toward Samilgyo Bridge.
- What to wear: You’ll be walking outside for a long time on a winter night. Wear comfortable shoes and a warm coat, and bring a scarf and gloves.
- Photo spots: The media facades under bridges such as Gwanggyo and Samilgyo tend to be less crowded, so they’re good places for photos.
- Phone photography: Wipe your lens and turn down your screen brightness for better night shots.
- Check before you go: The program can change depending on conditions on site. Check the official website or call 02-3788-8168.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL 2026?
It runs from Friday, December 11, 2026 to Sunday, January 31, 2027. Only the main section of the 2025 festival was extended, and there is no decision yet on extending the 2026 edition.
Is there an entry fee for the SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL?
No, entry is free. Anyone can visit during opening hours.
What are the SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL opening hours?
It’s open daily from 18:00 to 23:00. Hours can change depending on conditions on site, so check the official website or call 02-3788-8168 before you visit.
Which subway station is closest to the SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL?
Exit 5 of Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5 is the easiest way to reach Cheonggye Plaza. Exit 5 of Jonggak Station (Line 1) and Exit 1 of Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2) are both less than a 5-minute walk away.
Can I drive to the SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL?
Driving isn’t recommended because parking is hard to find. Traffic near the festival is heavy and parking is limited, so take public transportation.
When is the festival least crowded?
Weekdays from 18:00 to 19:00 and any time after 21:00 are fairly quiet. At the 2025 festival, weekend evenings from 7 to 9 PM were the busiest.
Where is the SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL held?
It’s held along Cheonggyecheon Stream, from Cheonggye Plaza to Samilgyo Bridge. The address is Taepyeongno 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul.
What is the 2026 theme, and how are the displays organized?
The theme is “서울의 낭만: 빛의 교향곡” (“the romance of Seoul: a symphony of light”). The display has four zones: Zone 1, Hanyang Seogok; Zone 2, Analog Rhapsody; Zone 3, Neon Sonata; and Zone 4, Bitui Hwansanggok.
