Full Guide To The Seoul Lantern Festival. When, What, Where!

The Seoul Lantern Festival is a highly-anticipated, annual event, which illuminates the heart of Seoul with enchanting lantern displays and exhibitions. This illuminating festival is strategically set along the captivating Cheonggyecheon Stream, which is known for its serene environment and picturesque touch, creating a harmonious blend of nature, culture, and art.

Taking place in November, the festival run for approximately two weeks starting from early part of the month. The specific dates of this two-week event can vary slightly each year, hence it is advisable to check the official calendar in advance for precise dates.

During this period, the city is dazzled by countless lanterns making it an ideal time to visit Seoul and participate in this magnificent festival. Cultural observers, art enthusiasts, tourists, and locals flood the streets to marvel at the stunning displays, join in the communal celebrations, and immerse themselves in the rich culture of Seoul.

Key Features of the Seoul Lantern Festival

• A dazzling array of beautiful lanterns that transform the Cheonggyecheon Stream into a spectacle of lights and colors.

• Variety of lanterns showcasing fascinating aspects of Korean culture, history, and art, enabling visitors to learn more about Seoul’s unique heritage and traditions.

• Ancillary events are hosted which may include lantern-making workshops where you can learn how to create your own lantern.

• The festival is free of charge, making it an accessible cultural experience for everyone.

Remember, if you find yourself in Seoul during the time of this magical festival, ensure to carve out time from your travel itinerary. The Seoul Lantern Festival not only offers an incredible display of lanterns but a heartwarming experience that embraces the country’s rich culture and tradition. It presents an opportunity to enjoy Korean hospitality at its finest while creating unforgettable memories.

Essential Information for Your Visit to Seoul

If you’re planning a trip to Seoul, there are a few critical things you should consider. From wardrobe selection, power converters to using public transportation like a pro here’s a comprehensive guide to make your journey smoother.

• What To Wear In Seoul: Seoul’s weather can fluctuate quite a bit depending on the time of year. If you’re planning a visit during the first two weeks of November, when many festivals take place, be prepared for cold weather. It’s recommended to dress in layers to feel comfortable in the cold. Understanding what to wear during the winter in Seoul is crucial for enjoyable sightseeing. More detailed information is available here.

• Power Converters: South Korea uses a specific type of power plugin, which may not be compatible if you’re coming from the USA, UK, Japan, or Southeast Asia. Therefore, packing a suitable travel adapter is essential to ensure your gadgets’ seamless use. More info about the best Korean power adapters is available here.

• T Money Transport Card: Getting around in Seoul is made comfortable with seamless public transportation facilities, including subways, buses, or even taxis. However, these services require a T Money Card to ease the payment process. The card can be topped up with your desired amount and used for travel in and around the city. For more information on getting and using a T Money Card, click here.

• Special Discounts for Foreigners: If you’re looking to save some cash on your travel expenses, be sure to use websites like Trazy or Klook. They offer substantial discount packages on several tourist attractions and experiences, ideal for foreigners visiting Seoul.

By preparing in the ways outlined above, you can ensure a smooth, enjoyable visit to Seoul, South Korea. So start prepping today, and look forward to a spectacular Korean adventure.

Guide to Seoul Lantern Festival

The Seoul Lantern Festival is a highly anticipated event celebrated annually in November for two weeks. Since its commencement in 2009, it has progressively evolved into one of the most iconic festivals in South Korea, drawing over 2.5 million domestic and international visitors every year.

Due to its popularity, the festival becomes exceptionally crowded during weekends. Therefore, it is recommended for attendees planning to catch this luminous spectacle to schedule their visit on a weekday to avoid colossal crowds.

The lantern displays begin to illuminate the surroundings from 5 PM and continue to shine brightly until 10 PM on weekdays. However, the lights glitter a bit longer on weekends, until 11 PM. The festival offers free entrance to all its visitors. Nonetheless, it provides an array of engaging activities at a nominal fee for those seeking an interactive experience. One such exciting activity includes making wishing lanterns and setting them to drift along the river at a minimal cost of 5000 KRW. More details about activities and schedules can be found on the official website.

Beyond the radiant ambience of the festival, visitors can immerse themselves in the Korean culinary experience. Numerous vendors set-up around the banks of the river offer a variety of delectable Korean snacks including hotteok, tteokbokki, among others.

However, it’s worth noting that the Seoul Lantern Festival has faced criticism from the residents of Jinju. They have shown discontent, claiming it to be a replication of their renowned lantern festival, the Jinju Namgang Yudeng Festival. Despite such criticism, the Seoul Lantern Festival continues to be a grand annual affair widely celebrated in the heart of South Korea.

Themes at the Seoul Lantern Festival

Each year, the esteemed Seoul Lantern Festival captivates audiences with its stunning light displays, crafted in intricate detail to convey definitive themes. Historically, these themes differ each year but share the underlying similarity of incorporating traditional Korean customs and folk tales. In 2017, the central theme revolved around the acclaimed Olympics, while in 2019, the festival drew inspiration from the ethereal concept of ‘Dreams with Lights’.

For an immersive understanding of these traditional narratives and Korean cultural ethos, refer to the Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture.

Primary Folk Narratives Featured

Here are a few significant folk tales often integrated into the Seoul Lantern Festival’s thematic constructs:

1. Red Bean Porridge Granny and Tiger Lantern

The tale of the ‘Red Bean Porridge Granny and Tiger Lantern’, a popular narrative among young Korean children, underlines the grandmother’s successful evasion from becoming the predator’s prey. Featured in the festival, the lantern design captures the tiger’s nefarious grin as it unveils a narrative of survival, aided by other animals and their strategic interventions.

2. Sister Sun and Brother Moon Lantern

Facilitating a semblance with the timeless tale of Red Riding Hood, the ‘Sister Sun and Brother Moon Lantern’ narrative brings to life the mystical story of the sun and moon’s existence. In the tale, the children’s mother meets a tragic end at the hands of a ravenous tiger, sending the siblings into a desperate escape. The chase climaxes with their ascension up a heavenly staircase that metamorphoses them into the sun and the moon.

3. Old Man With a Lump on His Neck

The tale of the ‘Old Man With a Lump on His Neck’ engages audiences with a moral lesson about the perils of excessive greed. The traditional Korean term for this old man with a prominent lump on his neck is ‘Hokburiyeonggam’. First recorded in ‘Chōsengo Dokuhon’, a textbook published in 1915, this narrative is a firm festival favorite.

Enhanced by a captivating play of light and illusions, these folk stories permeate through all layers of the Lantern Festival, allowing the global audience to share an enriching slice of traditional Korean culture.

Detailed Guide on Visiting the Seoul Lantern Festival

The Seoul Lantern Festival, an annual event attracting locals and tourists alike, takes place along the Cheonggyecheon Stream, meandering through the heart of Seoul. While the stream is approximately 11 km long, the festival only takes place along a small portion, starting at Seoul City Hall and extending till around the area of Jongno 3-ga.

Recommended Route
While many articles suggest starting at the official starting point at Seoul City Hall, I (Marie) personally don’t recommend this as this area can become excessively crowded, especially during the weekends, making the pace incredibly slow. A more strategic approach would be to start your tour from Samilgyo. Click here to view the location. There’s a staircase near Cafe Bene that takes you down to the stream. From there, you can comfortably walk back towards Seoul City Hall. This starting point is conveniently accessible from Jongno 3-ga (lines 1 and 3) exit 15 or Euljiro 1-ga Station (line 2) exit 4 and only a five-minute walk away.

Alternative Route
However, if you choose to take the traditional route and start from Seoul City Hall, here are the subway stations you should head to: Jonggak Station (line 1) exit 6, or Euljiro 1-ga Station (line 2) exit 2.

What to Expect
The Seoul Lantern Festival features a spellbinding display of lanterns, showcasing various themes ranging from historical events to popular cartoon characters. Strolling along the stream under the illuminated lanterns can be an aesthetically pleasing and cultural enriching experience.

Remember that regardless of where you choose to start your journey at the Seoul Lantern Festival, ensure that you have comfortable footwear as it involves a good deal of walking. Be prepared to be swept off your feet by the illuminated spectacle of lanterns under the Seoul night sky.

Note: Depending upon the crowd, the whole tour of the festival can take around 1 to 2 hours. So, plan your visit accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Seoul Lantern Festival? The Seoul Lantern Festival, renowned for its breathtaking exhibits of numerous lanterns, typically takes place annually for two weeks during November. However, for exact dates and possible changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s advised to check the official festival website.

Where does the Seoul Lantern Festival start? The official starting point of the Seoul Lantern Festival is the iconic Cheonggyecheon Plaza. Yet, given the massive turn out of festival-goers, starting at Samilgyo is strongly recommended to avoid the brunt of the crowds.

How can I reach the festival location? The Seoul Lantern Festival can be conveniently accessed through various surrounding subway stations. Key stations include Jonggak and Euljiro 1-ga, providing easy connectivity to the festival site.

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We’d Love to Hear from You!

Experienced the mesmerizing beauty of the Seoul Lantern Festival? Have any queries about planning your visit to the festival? Or, do you have any favorite lantern from your previous visit that you’d like to share about? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. Your input can help future visitors enjoy the festival even more!