If you’re spending winter in Seoul, there’s one event you absolutely shouldn’t miss: the Seoul Lantern Festival (서울빛초롱축제). Every year, this festival transforms the city’s cold winter nights into a glowing riverside gallery, and in 2025, it returns bigger and brighter than ever—running simultaneously with the beloved Gwanghwamun Winter Market.
Perfect for travelers, expats, and anyone looking to experience a warm touch of Korean culture during the cold season, this festival brings together traditional lanterns, immersive media art, and some of the most atmospheric night scenery in Seoul.
Festival Dates & Time
- Seoul Lantern Festival: Dec 12, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 (24 days)
- Daily: 18:00–22:00
- Gwanghwamun Market: Dec 12 – Dec 31, 2025 (20 days)
- Daily: 17:30–21:30
Both events are open to everyone and completely free to enjoy—a perfect evening plan for December and New Year visitors.
A 1.1 km Light Journey Along Cheonggyecheon — Now Expanded to Uicheon
The festival’s main stage stretches across 1.1 km of Cheonggyecheon Stream (from Cheonggye Plaza to Samil Bridge), featuring four themed zones.
This year, a brand-new 350 m extension along Uicheon brings an additional themed section, symbolically connecting the flow of light from the city center to the northern districts.
◎ Zone 1: Miracle Seoul (청계광장~광통교)
Celebrating the Year of the Red Horse (2026), this zone showcases “The Moment of Light,” re-creating the very first electric lights ever introduced to Gyeongbokgung’s Geoncheonggung Palace—blending LED visuals with traditional Korean hanji lantern craftsmanship.
◎ Zone 2: Golden Secret (광통교~광교)
A magical, dream-themed installation that reflects each visitor’s “personal dream,” interpreted through symbolic artworks and glowing golden light.
◎ Zone 3: Dream Light (광교~장통교)
This zone focuses on “our shared dreams.” The festival also commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Cheonggyecheon restoration, highlighting nostalgic scenes from the stream’s past and offering a touching look back at historical Seoul.
◎ Zone 4: Seoul Fantasia (장통교~삼일교)
One of the festival’s biggest showstoppers: the 15-meter-tall Seoul Moon, previously seen only on Yeouido, now floating above Cheonggyecheon. Popular characters like Haechi and Tinnipings join a fantasy-themed “space travel” art installation, ending the journey with a dazzling media-art “Aurora of Light.”
New This Year: Soul Light Along Uicheon
For the first time, the lantern path extends to Uicheon (Uuigyo–Ssanghangyo, 350 m).
The theme, Soul Light, presents installations inspired by traditional royal processions—mixing modern light art with Korea’s historic elegance. It symbolically continues the “stream of light” from Cheonggyecheon into northern Seoul.
Gwanghwamun Winter Market: A Christmas Village in the Heart of Seoul
Running alongside the Lantern Festival, the Gwanghwamun Market has quickly become one of Seoul’s signature holiday experiences.
What to Expect:
- A 15-meter giant Christmas tree glowing at the center of Gwanghwamun Square
- 45 vendor booths inspired by European Christmas markets
- A special “Santa Village Showcase” featuring collaborations with local artists, brands, and regional creators
- Seasonal snacks, warm drinks, handmade crafts, photo zones, and live events
Last year, the 2024 edition drew over 3.28 million visitors to the Lantern Festival and 1.64 million to Gwanghwamun Market—making this one of Korea’s most beloved winter experiences.
Why You Should Go
The Seoul Lantern Festival is more than a light show—it’s a celebration of tradition meeting modernity, a place where Korean hanji lanterns blend with cutting-edge media art, and where the winter chill becomes part of the magic.
Whether you’re walking with family, exploring with friends, or traveling solo, the experience offers:
- Stunning photography spots
- Romantic night strolls
- Immersive art installations
- A festive atmosphere perfect for the holidays
And with the Gwanghwamun Market just minutes away, you can enjoy warm treats, Christmas lights, and a lively winter village all in one trip.
Final Takeaway
If you’re looking for the best winter festival in Seoul, the 2025 Seoul Lantern Festival—paired with the Gwanghwamun Market—is the perfect way to experience the city’s beauty, creativity, and year-end energy. It’s a magical riverside stroll that showcases why Seoul is one of the world’s most vibrant winter destinations.
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