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Lotus Lantern Festival (Yeon Deung Hoe)

연등회

Buddhist lantern festival weekend around Buddha's Birthday, centered on Jongno in Seoul. Inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2020.

May 22 – 24, 2026(tentative)· In 13 daysSeoul, Seoul
Dates are tentative. Confirm on the official site before booking travel.

About this festival

Yeon Deung Hoe dates to the Silla era and centers on the Buddha's Birthday weekend. The Saturday-evening lantern parade runs from Dongguk University to Jogyesa Temple along Jongno, with thousands of handmade lanterns and traditional performances. Sunday is a temple-grounds festival at Jogyesa with cultural programs and free vegetarian food.

Getting there

Parade route: Dongguk University Station (line 3) to Jonggak Station (line 1). The Saturday parade typically begins around 7pm; arrive by 6 to find a spot along Jongno. Jogyesa Temple is at Anguk Station (line 3) exit 6.

If you're not yet fluent in Korean

Free. The temple-grounds program at Jogyesa on Sunday is the most foreigner-friendly part — English info booths, lantern-making workshops, and free temple food. Dates shift yearly by lunar calendar.

Dates by year

  • 2026

    May 22 – 24, 2026

    tentative

Source: Manual editorial. Last verified 2026-05-08.