Korea’s big festivals
Lotus Lantern Festival (Yeondeunghoe)
Seoul celebrates Buddha’s Birthday with a night parade of thousands of glowing lanterns from Dongdaemun to Jogyesa Temple, and lantern-making and street events around Insadong. It is on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list.
- When
- Usually the weekend before Buddha’s Birthday, in late April or May (lunar calendar)
Tips
- Find a spot on Jongno street by early evening for the parade.
- Jogyesa Temple in Insadong is covered in lanterns for weeks around the holiday.
- You can join lantern-making workshops for free on the street-festival day.
Neighbourhood guide
Other festivals
Exact dates come from the Korea Tourism Organization festival calendar once announced; check the official festival site before you travel.