| Dates | 11 Dec – 31 Jan 2027 |
|---|---|
| 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 | Free; lanterns and the Gwanghwamun Market are open to all, with only market food, goods and some activities paid. |
| Previous edition | 2025: 12 Dec – 18 Jan 2026 |
| Next edition | 2027: December 2027 to January 2028 (19th edition), if the mid-December opening used since 2023 continues; nothing announced. |
Program
- Gwanghwamun Market seasons announced: 11–20 Dec, 21–30 Dec and 31 Dec–10 Jan 2027 (booth recruitment closes 21 Oct 2026)
Prices
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | — | Free in 2025; no change announced |
Notes on the 2026 edition
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.
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.