| Dates | 12 Dec – 18 Jan 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 18:00–22:00 at opening; from a notice of 18 December 2025 the organizer set 18:00–23:00 for the lanterns and 17:30–22:00 for Gwanghwamun Market |
| Weather | December average 4/−3 °C (40/26 °F), 23 mm of rain January average 2/−5 °C (36/22 °F), 17 mm of rainMonthly averages, not a forecast: Korea Meteorological Administration climate normals, 1991–2020, Seoul station. |
| Venue | Cheonggyecheon stream, Cheonggye Plaza to Samilgyo (plus Gwanghwamun Square market)서울특별시 중구 태평로1가 1 (청계광장) |
| Admission | General admission: Free |
| Previous edition | 2024: 13 Dec – 12 Jan 2025 |
| Next edition | 2026: 11 Dec – 31 Jan 2027 |
Program
- Four zones along Cheonggyecheon: Cheonggye Plaza–Gwangtonggyo 'Miracle Seoul', Gwangtonggyo–Gwanggyo 'Golden Secret', Gwanggyo–Jangtonggyo 'Dream Light', Jangtonggyo–Samilgyo 'Seoul Fantasia'
- 'Moment of Lighting' scene of the 1887 first electric light at Gyeongbokgung; giant gat; Light of Cheonggye
- Aurora of Light projections and lasers under Samilgyo
- Uicheon section (Uigyo–Ssanghangyo) lit until 4 January 2026, with the Royal Procession lantern returned by popular request
- Gwanghwamun Market 'Santa Village': Nutcracker House, Lucky Carousel (rides earned via the stamp tour), gingerbread house wish box, Santa express train, snowflake fountain
- 100 Pokémon Magikarp lantern event; tram, Han River bus and peacock lanterns
Prices
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | Free | Lanterns and market entry free; market food and goods paid |
Notes on the 2025 edition
17th edition, theme 'My Light, Our Dream, The Magic of Seoul'. Originally scheduled to end 4 January 2026 and extended two weeks to 18 January; part of Seoul Winter Festa (12 Dec–4 Jan, seven central sites including the Seoul Plaza skating rink and DDP).
About the festival
The Seoul Lantern Festival is a free winter light display along Cheonggyecheon stream in central Seoul, from Cheonggye Plaza to Samilgyo; in 2025 it was lit nightly from 18:00. The 17th edition ran 12 December 2025–18 January 2026. The 18th edition runs 11 December 2026–31 January 2027 as part of the 2026 Seoul Winter Festival, alongside the Gwanghwamun Market (11 Dec 2026–10 Jan 2027); daily hours are not yet published. Nearest stations: Gwanghwamun (Line 5, Exit 5) and City Hall (Lines 1/2, Exit 4).
Transport, booking, crowd and accessibility details are on the main Seoul Lantern Festival page, which covers every edition.
Source
Facts checked
21 October 2026, against the sources listed below.