Seoul Lantern Festival 2024-2025
Over 100,000 vibrantly-coloured lanterns illuminate the Cheonggyecheon Stream
Dates: December 13, 2024–January 1, 2025
Celebrated annually in November, this two-week festival creates a magical atmosphere along the Cheonggyecheon Stream (between the Cheonggye Plaza and Supyogyo Bridge) in the center of Seoul. Hundreds of thousands of unique lanterns are placed along the stream, telling the stories of the city and bridging the past and the future.
The Seoul Lantern Festival showcases thousands of vibrant lanterns in a stunning array of shapes and sizes. Visitors can marvel at traditional Korean symbols as well as modern designs, which include famous landmarks, cultural icons, and artistic installations.
Each year organizers choose a new theme for the festival. Guests can also purchase wish lanterns and hang them under the bridges or release them into the stream to make their wishes come true.
Seoul Lantern Festival Highlights
Seoul Lantern Festival has become the largest such event in South Korea attraction 3 million visitors every year. It showcases the rich history and culture of the country featuring characters from Korean folk tales. Held since 2009, the festival has a new theme every year and present wonderful fairytales created by light and music. The best way to fight a winter gloom in Seoul is to come and see colorful lights shining brightly under the night sky.
Organizers give some tips on how to take the most out of the Lantern Festival, such as checking the entry and exit points before heading to the stream, planning around one hour per section, coming between 5 and 11 pm, and visiting nearby attractions—City Hall, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Gwanghwamun Square.