Seoul Lantern Festival 2026: Dates, Cheonggyecheon Map, Best Time to Go and Tips

Every winter, the Seoul Lantern Festival (서울빛초롱축제) fills Cheonggyecheon Stream in downtown Seoul with giant glowing lantern sculptures: dragons, tigers, palace scenes and pop-culture characters floating above the water. It’s free, it’s a short walk from Gwanghwamun and Jonggak, and it’s one of the most photogenic things to do in Seoul on a winter evening. Here’s what we know about the 2026 edition.

Last checked: October 2026. The official 2026 dates haven’t been confirmed yet; we’ll update this page when they’re announced on the festival site.

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When is the Seoul Lantern Festival 2026?

As of late October 2026, the official dates haven’t been published. Here’s the recent pattern:

Check the official site (seoullantern.kr) closer to the date. The festival has also been held in November in earlier years, so the timing does move.

Where is it and how do I get there?

The lanterns line the start of Cheonggyecheon Stream, beginning at Cheonggye Plaza (청계광장) just east of Gwanghwamun Square and running east for several blocks.

• Subway: Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), Jonggak Station (Line 1) or City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2), each a 5–10 minute walk.
• From Myeongdong: about 15 minutes on foot north.

Map — Cheonggye Plaza: Google Maps · Naver Map (Naver Map is still the most reliable app for walking, bus and subway directions in Korea)

How do I avoid the crowds?

• Go on a weekday, just after the lanterns switch on at dusk.
• Walk the stream path, not the street above, for the best views; the path is one-way at busy times, so follow the staff.
• Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve are the busiest nights.
• Dress warmly: the stream path is below street level and you’ll be standing still for photos.

Photo tips

• Shoot from the stepping stones and bridges for reflections in the water.
• Turn off flash; lanterns look best in low light, and flash bothers others.
• Tripods are often restricted in crowds; brace your phone on a railing instead.

What’s nearby?

• Gwanghwamun Square and its winter lights and markets, right at the start.
• Christmas markets: see our Seoul Christmas market guide.
• Dinner: Gwangjang Market is about 25 minutes’ walk east along the stream; Euljiro’s bars are a few blocks south.

What is the Seoul Lantern Festival?

The festival grew out of lantern displays on Cheonggyecheon in the late 2000s, after the stream was restored as a public walkway, and it has become one of Seoul’s signature winter events. Each year has a theme, and the sculptures, often several meters tall, are handmade from fabric stretched over wire frames and lit from inside, a craft rooted in Korea’s traditional lantern-making. Recent editions have featured palace scenes, mythical animals, scenes from Korean history and collaborations with popular characters.

What should I wear?

• Warm layers and a hat: December and January evenings are often below freezing, and the stream path is breezy.
• Comfortable shoes: you’ll walk on stone paths and stepping stones; they can be slippery after rain or snow.
• Heat packs from a convenience store keep your hands warm for photos.

Where can I eat nearby?

The streets around Jonggak and Gwanghwamun have plenty of restaurants and cafés open late. For something traditional, walk east along the stream to Gwangjang Market for mung-bean pancakes and noodles, or head a few blocks south to Euljiro’s bars and the beer halls of Nogari Alley.

Is the festival accessible?

The stream path is reached by stairs and a few ramps and elevators along Cheonggyecheon; it’s narrow and crowded at peak times. With a stroller or wheelchair, go early on a weekday and enter at an access point with a ramp or elevator, or view the lanterns from the street-level railings above.

FAQ

Is the Seoul Lantern Festival free?
Yes, entry has been free in past editions.

What time do the lanterns turn on?
At dusk. Past editions lit the lanterns from late afternoon to around 10–11 p.m.; check the 2026 hours when announced.

Is it the same as the Lotus Lantern Festival?
No. The Lotus Lantern Festival is a separate Buddhist festival in spring.

Sources: Wikipedia – Seoul Lantern Festival · Seoulstart – Seoul Lantern Festival (tentative 2026) · The Soul of Seoul – Seoul Lantern Festival
Photos: Ethan Doyle White / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ethan Doyle White / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ken Eckert / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0