At a glance
| Dates | 11 Dec – 31 Jan 2027Upcoming · 18th edition (the organizer's partnership page), averaging 3.4 million visitors over the past three years. Listed on the official 2026 Seoul Winter Festival site for 11 December 2026–31 January 2027; a preferred bidder for the 2026 operation contract was named on 16 July 2026. Daily hours, and whether the Uicheon section returns, had not been published as of 21 October 2026. |
|---|---|
| Weather | December average 4/−3 °C (40/26 °F), 23 mm of rain January average 2/−5 °C (36/22 °F), 17 mm of rainWell below freezing at night: a down coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers. Monthly averages, not a forecast: Korea Meteorological Administration climate normals, 1991–2020, Seoul station. |
| Admission | Free; lanterns and the Gwanghwamun Market are open to all, with only market food, goods and some activities paid. |
| Venue | Cheonggyecheon stream, Cheonggye Plaza to Samilgyo (plus Gwanghwamun Square market)서울특별시 중구 태평로1가 1 (청계광장) |
| Nearest station | Gwanghwamun Station (광화문역), Seoul Subway Line 5, Exit 5About 5 minutes along Sejong-daero to Cheonggye Plaza; City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2) Exit 4 is a similar walk |
| From Seoul | In Seoul · SubwayFull route |
| Organizer | Seoul Tourism Organization서울관광재단 |
| Usual timing | Mid-December into January since 2023 (2024: 13 Dec–12 Jan; 2025: 12 Dec–18 Jan after a two-week extension; 2026: 11 Dec–31 Jan). The companion Gwanghwamun Market runs 11 Dec 2026–10 Jan 2027. Until 2021 it was held in November (2021: 26 November–5 December); in 2022 it ran 19–31 December. The 2026 dates appeared on the official Seoul Winter Festival site in October 2026. Browse December / January festivals. |
| First held | 2009 |
| Last checked | 21 October 2026Checked against 23 sources · See sources |
What it is like
Cheonggyecheon is a restored stream that runs below street level through downtown Seoul; since 2009 the Seoul Tourism Organization has lined its upper reaches from Cheonggye Plaza with illuminated lanterns each year. Originally a November event, it moved to December in 2022 (19–31 December, centred on Gwanghwamun Square), has run from mid-December into January since 2023, and now forms part of the city's winter umbrella event (Seoul Winter Festa until 2025; the 2026 edition is called the Seoul Winter Festival), with the Gwanghwamun Market Christmas village on Gwanghwamun Square a few minutes' walk away. The 2025 route, under 1 km, was split into four themed zones between Cheonggye Plaza and Samilgyo: a giant gat (traditional hat), a tram, a Han River bus, a peacock, a scene recalling the first electric light at Gyeongbokgung in 1887, laser projections under Samilgyo and a 73 m line of 100 Pokémon Magikarp. A second section was lit on Uicheon stream in northern Seoul, where the returning Royal Procession lantern stood; the two sites had more than 400 lantern sculptures and media-art pieces. In 2025 the lanterns were lit from 18:00 until 22:00, later 23:00, and everything was free. The market sells food, drinks and crafts and has a carousel and photo spots. Caveats: the stream walkway is narrow and one-way at peak times, weekend and holiday evenings are packed, the channel is colder than street level, and the organizer publishes hours late.
Highlights
- Lantern sculptures along Cheonggyecheon from Cheonggye Plaza east to Samilgyo, under 1 km in four themed zones (2025)
- Royal Procession lantern, brought back in 2025 by visitor request and shown on the Uicheon section, and the 'Moment of Lighting' scene recalling Korea's first electric light in 1887
- Aurora of Light: projections and lasers under Samilgyo bridge
- Gwanghwamun Market 'Santa Village' on Gwanghwamun Square with a carousel (rides earned via the stamp tour), Nutcracker House and a mirror photo zone (2025)
- Second lantern section on Uicheon stream, Uigyo to Ssanghangyo, until 4 January 2026
- 100 Pokémon Magikarp lanterns stretching 73 m, ending in a Gyarados with Pikachu (2025)
Who it suits. Best for first-time visitors to Seoul, families and anyone staying near Jongno or City Hall who wants a free evening walk; less suited to visitors who dislike slow-moving crowds or the cold, because the below-street walkway bottlenecks on weekend nights.
Getting there
From Seoul
Within the city: Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5) Exit 5 or City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2) Exit 4, then a few minutes along Sejong-daero to Cheonggye Plaza at the western end of the route; the lanterns run east along the stream to Samilgyo, under 1 km in four themed zones (2025).
From Incheon Airport
AREX express train to Seoul Station (43 minutes from Terminal 1, 51 from Terminal 2; adult ₩13,000 with a ticket bought before boarding), then Line 1 one stop to City Hall Station, Exit 4.
Last leg from Gwanghwamun Station
Seoul Subway Line 5, Exit 5. About 5 minutes along Sejong-daero to Cheonggye Plaza; City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2) Exit 4 is a similar walk
Getting home
Lanterns stayed lit until 23:00 in 2025 (2026–27 hours not yet published). Subway Lines 1, 2 and 5 serve the stations around the route into the late evening; if you stay until the end, check the last train for your line at the station or in a subway app before you go, especially if you have to change lines. Walking east to Jonggak or Euljiro stations spreads the crowd leaving Cheonggye Plaza.
How to switch Naver Map and Kakao Map to English
Google Maps shows train, subway and bus routes in Korea but not walking or driving directions yet, so for the walk from the station Naver Map or Kakao Map is more reliable.
Before you go
1330 · Travel hotline
The Korea Tourism Organization’s helpline answers in English, Japanese and Chinese around the clock, and in several other languages from 08:00 to 19:00. Dial 1330 from a Korean phone, or +82-2-1330 from a phone registered abroad.
112 / 119 · Emergencies
112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. Both are free from any phone. Police on 112 can add an English or Chinese interpreter to the call.
T-money card
Buy one at a convenience store such as GS25, CU or 7-Eleven and top it up there with cash. It pays for subways and buses in most cities, and for most taxis.
Maps
Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for walking and bus directions; Google Maps does not yet give walking directions in Korea. Both apps can be switched to English. Naver Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → Language (Japanese and Chinese also available). Kakao Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → App settings → Language. If the option is missing, change your phone’s language and reopen the app. Small shop names and some reviews stay in Korean.
Trains and buses
Book trains on Korail’s English site and express buses on Kobus. Holiday weekends sell out first.
Checked 18 October 2026.
Tickets, prices and practical details
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | — | Free in 2025; no change announced |
- Booking
- None; walk up. In 2025, carousel rides at the market were earned by completing the stamp tour rather than bought.
- English on site
- Official site in Korean and English (stolantern.com/en; no Japanese or Chinese version); general enquiries 02-120.
- Crowds
- Heavy on weekend evenings and around Christmas and New Year; the organizer reports an average of 3.4 million visitors over the past three editions and extended both 2024 and 2025 because of demand.
- Best time to go
- Weekday evenings right after the 18:00 lighting or after 21:00; visit the market first and walk the stream west to east.
- What to bring
- Warm layers, gloves and a hat; the stream channel is colder than street level in December and January, and the walk takes 40–60 minutes at a crowd's pace.
- Step-free access
- The stream walkway sits below street level; step-free access points were not checked. The Gwanghwamun Square market is at street level.
2026 program
- Gwanghwamun Market seasons announced: 11–20 Dec, 21–30 Dec and 31 Dec–10 Jan 2027 (booth recruitment closes 21 Oct 2026)
18th edition (the organizer's partnership page), averaging 3.4 million visitors over the past three years. Listed on the official 2026 Seoul Winter Festival site for 11 December 2026–31 January 2027; a preferred bidder for the 2026 operation contract was named on 16 July 2026. Daily hours, and whether the Uicheon section returns, had not been published as of 21 October 2026.
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | December 2027 to January 2028 (19th edition), if the mid-December opening used since 2023 continues; nothing announced. | tba | |
| 2026 | 11 Dec – 31 Jan 2027 | confirmed | 18th edition (the organizer's partnership page), averaging 3.4 million visitors over the past three years. Listed on the official 2026 Seoul Winter Festival site for 11 December 2026–31 January 2027; a preferred bidder for the 2026 operation contract was named on 16 July 2026. Daily hours, and whether the Uicheon section returns, had not been published as of 21 October 2026. |
| 2025 | 12 Dec – 18 Jan 2026 | ended | Second stream added at Uicheon in Gangbuk-gu; more than 400 sculptures and media works across both sites |
| 2024 | 13 Dec – 12 Jan 2025 | ended | Cheonggye Plaza and Cheonggyecheon |
Before or after the festival
Places you can fit in before or after the festival without missing the shuttle or the last train or bus back.
A royal palace in the city centre where Western-style stone halls such as Seokjojeon stand among the traditional wooden buildings, and you can walk its courtyards after dark. It is open until 21:00 (last entry 20:00; closed Mondays; individual ticket ₩1,000), so walk it at dusk and reach Cheonggye Plaza as the lanterns come on (18:00 in 2025; 2026–27 hours not yet published). Tip: the exhibition halls inside, Seokjojeon among them, close at 17:30, so arrive by late afternoon to see inside.
Getting there: On foot: Daehanmun Gate faces Seoul Plaza on Sejong-daero, about 10 minutes south of Cheonggye Plaza; City Hall Station is beside it
The Seoul Tourism Organization's free Christmas market on Gwanghwamun Square: a 'Santa Village' of food and craft stalls, photo zones and a carousel, whose rides were earned by completing the stamp tour in 2025. It runs 11 December 2026–10 January 2027, three weeks less than the lanterns; in 2025 it was open 17:30–22:00, closing an hour before the lanterns (2026 hours not yet published). Tip: see the market first, then walk the stream west to east.
Getting there: On foot: Gwanghwamun Square starts just north of Cheonggye Plaza, a few minutes away; free entry
The outdoor ice rink Seoul builds every winter on Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall, skated in one-hour sessions for about ₩1,000, skates and helmet included. The 2026–27 season is listed for 18 December–9 February; in 2025–26 the last session ended at 21:30 Sunday to Friday and at 23:00 on Saturdays and holidays, so you can skate after an early lantern walk. Tip: half the places in each session are sold online from 7 days ahead and half on site on the day, so book a late session.
Getting there: On foot: Seoul Plaza is about 5 minutes south of Cheonggye Plaza along Sejong-daero, above City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2)
Questions travelers ask
When is the Seoul Lantern Festival 2026?
11 December 2026 to 31 January 2027 (official Seoul Winter Festival site); the Gwanghwamun Market runs 11 December–10 January. Daily hours have not been published yet.
Is the Seoul Lantern Festival free?
Yes. Walking the lantern route along Cheonggyecheon and entering the Gwanghwamun Market is free; you pay only for market food, drinks and goods.
What time are the lanterns lit?
In 2025 the lanterns were lit from 18:00 to 22:00, extended to 23:00 from 18 December; the Gwanghwamun Market ran 17:30–22:00. Hours for 2026–27 had not been published as of 21 October 2026.
Which subway station is closest to the Seoul Lantern Festival?
Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5) Exit 5 or City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2) Exit 4, both a few minutes' walk along Sejong-daero to Cheonggye Plaza, where the route begins.
How long is the lantern route?
Under 1 km, from Cheonggye Plaza east to Samilgyo, divided in 2025 into four themed zones at the Gwangtonggyo, Gwanggyo and Jangtonggyo bridges (the 2021 route, from the stream entrance to Jangtonggyo, was 700 m). In 2025 a second section was lit on Uicheon stream in northern Seoul.
Was the 2025 Seoul Lantern Festival extended?
Yes. It opened 12 December 2025 with a planned close on 4 January 2026 and was extended two weeks to 18 January; the Uicheon section closed on 4 January. The 2024 edition was also extended.
What else is on in Seoul at the same time?
The 2026 Seoul Winter Festival (11 Dec 2026–31 Jan 2027) also includes the Gwanghwamun Market (11 Dec–10 Jan), Seoul Light at Gwanghwamun and at DDP, the Seoul Plaza skating rink (18 Dec–9 Feb), SeoulCon (29 Dec–1 Jan) and the New Year bell-ringing at Bosingak, all within walking distance or a short subway ride.
What is the weather like during Seoul Lantern Festival?
December in Seoul: average high 4 °C (40 °F), low −3 °C (26 °F), 23 mm of rain (Seoul station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). January in Seoul: average high 2 °C (36 °F), low −5 °C (22 °F), 17 mm of rain (Seoul station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). Well below freezing at night: a down coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers.
Sources and verification
Facts checked
21 October 2026, against the sources listed below.
This page is desk research from the sources below, not a firsthand report of the 2026 edition. Confidence in the current facts: medium.
- Seoul Lantern Festival official site (English)official — Organizer STO, 2025 theme, route segments and bridges, installation names, Royal Procession in the Uigyo–Ssanghangyo section, 10 Santa Village attractions, ENG/KOR menus, Tel 02-120
- Seoul Lantern Festival official site — notice 18 Dec 2025official — Adjusted hours: lanterns 18:00–23:00, market 17:30–22:00
- Seoul Lantern Festival official site (Korean)official — 2025 branding, venues Cheonggyecheon/Uicheon/Gwanghwamun Square, extension and closing notices
- Seoul Tourism Organization — 2026 광화문 마켓 소상공인 모집 공고 (변경), 1 Oct 2026official — 2026 market dates 11 Dec 2026–10 Jan 2027 (changed from 4 Dec–3 Jan), three seasons, Gwanghwamun Square
- Visit Seoul — Seoul Lantern Festival partnership pageofficial — 18th edition since 2009, 3.4 million average visitors, market since 2022
- Seoul Winter Festival official site (2026 서울윈터페스티벌)official — 2026 Seoul Winter Festival 11 Dec 2026–31 Jan 2027: Seoul Lantern Festival 11 Dec 2026–31 Jan 2027; Gwanghwamun Market and Seoul Light Gwanghwamun 11 Dec–10 Jan; Seoul Plaza skating rink 18 Dec–9 Feb; Seoul Light DDP 11 Dec–31 Jan; SeoulCon 29 Dec–1 Jan; bell-ringing 31 Dec–1 Jan. In 2025 it listed Winter Festa 12 Dec 2025–4 Jan 2026
- Seoul Mediahub — 얼마 남지 않았어요! 서울빛초롱축제municipal — 2025 dates, 18:00–23:00, four zones with themes, Uicheon to 4 Jan, 400+ works, 100 Magikarp lanterns over 73 m, awards
- Seoul Mediahub — 역대 최대 규모 서울윈터페스타municipal — Winter Festa dates and seven venues; 17th edition; Royal Procession relit on Uicheon between Uigyo and Ssanghangyo
- Seoul Mediahub — 크리스마스부터 100마리 잉어킹까지municipal — Opening hours 18:00–22:00, free admission, Magikarp event, tram/Han River bus/peacock lanterns
- ktriptips (KTO TourAPI mirror) — 서울 빛초롱 축제kto — 2025 dates, venue Cheonggye Plaza–Samilgyo, address 태평로1가 1, free, 18:00–23:00, organizer STO, coordinates 37.5692, 126.9776
- The Seoul Guide — Cheonggye Plazablog — Gwanghwamun Station Line 5 Exit 5 and City Hall Station Lines 1/2 Exit 4 directions; address
- Korean Wikipedia — 서울빛초롱축제other — First held 2009 as Seoul Lantern Festival, renamed 2015, winter move in 2022, nearby stations
- Wikipedia — Seoul Lantern Festivalother — November origins, 2022 shift to December; its 1.2 km figure is for Cheonggye Plaza to Supyo Bridge, further east than the 2025 route
- Namu Wiki — 서울빛초롱축제other — 2024 dates 13 Dec 2024–12 Jan 2025; 2025 extension from 4 to 18 Jan
- Seoul Mediahub — 반할 걸요? 청계천 서울빛초롱축제 12월 5일까지 (2021-11-26)municipal — 2021 edition 26 Nov–5 Dec, 700 m from the stream entrance to Jangtonggyo
- Seoul Mediahub — 빛으로 물든 서울 (2022-12-29)municipal — 2022 edition moved to Gwanghwamun Square, 19–31 Dec, 18:00–22:00
- Seoul Mediahub — 빛초롱축제, 마켓 구경 가볼까 (2023-12-29)municipal — 2023 edition 15 Dec 2023–21 Jan 2024 at Gwanghwamun Square, Sejongno Park, Cheonggyecheon and Seoul Plaza
- Daum (news) — 서울빛초롱축제 돌아온 청계천서 (2024-12-02)news — Cheonggyecheon venue 2009–2021; 2022 and 2023 centred on Gwanghwamun Square with Cheonggyecheon as sub-venue; 2023 ran 38 days; 2024 back on Cheonggyecheon
- FUN SEOUL (Seoul festival portal) — 2026 Seoul Lantern Festivalmunicipal — 2026 edition listed as planned for December along Cheonggyecheon; no dates or hours yet
- Seoul Tourism Organization — preferred bidder for the 2026 Seoul Lantern Festival operation contractofficial — Preferred bidder (엠일레븐 주식회사) for the 2026 operation contract, notice dated 16 July 2026; no tender date or event dates
- 공항철도 직통열차·일반열차 시간표, 노선, 요금 정리 (EZL blog, updated Jul 2025)blog — AREX express to Seoul Station 43 minutes from Terminal 1 and 51 from Terminal 2; adult fare ₩13,000 with a ticket bought before boarding
- ktriptips (KTO data mirror) — 덕수궁kto — Deoksugung open 09:00–21:00, last entry 20:00; closed Mondays; individual ticket ₩1,000; Seokjojeon and other exhibition halls to 17:30; 99 Sejong-daero
- Seoul Mediahub — 올해도 1,000원…서울광장 스케이트장 19일 개장municipal — 2025–26 rink season: one-hour sessions for ₩1,000 including skates and helmet; last session ends 21:30 Sun–Fri and 23:00 Sat and holidays; half of each session sold online from 7 days ahead, half on site
What we could not confirm
- Daily lantern hours for 2026–27 (the dates, 11 Dec 2026–31 Jan 2027, are on the official Seoul Winter Festival site; hours not published as of 21 Oct 2026).
- Whether the Uicheon second site returns in 2026.
- Exact subway exits for the eastern end of the route (Jonggak, Euljiro 1-ga) — the organizer's directions page did not load.
- Parking guidance from the organizer (none found).
- No Wikimedia Commons photo checked (Commons unreachable from this session).
- AREX express journey times and the ₩13,000 fare rest on a blog (EZL, updated Jul 2025); not checked on AREX's own site.
- Step-free access (ramps or lifts) to the stream walkway was not checked.
- Last subway trains from Gwanghwamun, City Hall, Jonggak and Euljiro stations on the festival nights, to be checked once the 2026–27 lantern hours are published and the dates are within 30 days.
Changes: 2026-10-16 — Full fact-first rewrite: hours, prices, stations, 2024–2027 editions, FAQs and sources. · 2026-10-16 — Rechecked against timetables, fare tables and organizer notices: conflicting figures and claims. · 2026-10-17 — Rechecked for 2026 dates: still unannounced. Added Seoul's festival portal listing (December, planned) and the 2026 operation contract as evidence the edition is going ahead. · 2026-10-18 — Added a photograph from the Korea Tourism Organization (Korea Tourism Content Lab), KOGL Type 1. · 2026-10-19 — Corrected the AREX express fare from Incheon Airport to ₩13,000 (the earlier ₩8,000 came from a 2018 page). · 2026-10-20 — Corrected the date basis: the Gwanghwamun Market dates come from the 13 October revision of the 1 October call for stall holders. · 2026-10-21 — 2026 dates confirmed: 11 Dec 2026–31 Jan 2027 (official Seoul Winter Festival site). Corrected after an independent fact audit: route under 1 km (not 1.2 km), AREX times, Royal Procession on Uicheon, 2026 umbrella programme, Santa Village and Magikarp details; removed unsupported English-support, ramp and announcement-timing claims and an outdated KTO source. · 2026-10-30 — Nearby rewritten as 'Before or after the festival' (shuttle and last-train fit); transport: removed the subway 'around midnight' and 'leave by 23:30' clock times, visitors told to check the last train for their line; prices: unchanged (free entry).
