Seoul Lantern Festival

Run by the Seoul Tourism Organization since 2009, the festival turns the lower Cheonggyecheon into a 1.2-kilometer lit corridor. Themed installations rotate yearly, historical scenes, K-pop tributes, foreign-city sister-festivals. Best visited from dusk to ~9pm. No tickets needed.

Gwanghwamun Station (line 5) exit 5 puts you at the upper start of the lit section. Walk eastward along Cheonggyecheon to Dongdaemun. Allow 60-90 minutes to walk the full length.

Free. The lower section near Gwangjang Market gets crowded on weekend evenings; weekday visits are calmer. Combine with Gwangjang Market dinner (line 1 to Jongno 5-ga). Winter evenings are cold, so bring a warm coat.