chrisbg — Cheonggyecheon

Comment LANTER to get my full guide. Seoul turns into a city of lanterns every spring for Yeondeunghoe, the Lotus Lantern Festival. The tradition dates back more than 1,200 years and celebrates Buddha’s Birthday through light, prayer, music, and community. Today, it is one of Korea’s most important Buddhist cultural festivals and is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. For 2026, the Seoul festival runs from May 8 to 25 around Jogyesa Temple, Jongno, Bongeunsa Temple, and Cheonggyecheon Stream. Main program: May 16 4:30 to 6:00 PM, Eoulim Madang at Dongguk University Stadium 7:00 to 9:30 PM, Lotus Lantern Parade from Heunginjimun through Jongno to Jogyesa Temple 9:30 to 11:00 PM, Daedong Hanmadang at Jonggak Intersection May 17 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, traditional cultural events in front of Jogyesa Temple 7:00 to 9:00 PM, Yeondeungnori final celebration near Jogyesa Go early if you want to see the temple lanterns in daylight, then stay after sunset for the parade. Use the subway, since road closures and bus diversions are expected around Jongno during the main parade. 📍Jogyesa Temple / 조계사 55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 종로구 우정국로 55 #LotusLanternFestival #Yeondeunghoe #SeoulFestival #VisitSeoul #KoreaTravel