Yeondeunghoe Lotus Lantern Festival

연등회

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Religious & SpiritualSeoul
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration2 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageThe nighttime lantern parade is the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: KRW
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Yeondeunghoe Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul

Yeondeunghoe, the Lotus Lantern Festival, is a centuries-old Buddhist tradition centered on Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, held before Buddha's birthday. Thousands carry handmade lotus-shaped lanterns through downtown streets in a nighttime parade, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2020 for its unbroken history and continued community practice.

Yeondeunghoe, the Lotus Lantern Festival, traces back over a thousand years to lantern-lighting rituals recorded in the Silla and Goryeo dynasties, making it one of the oldest continuously observed traditions in Korean Buddhism.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The nighttime lantern parade is the festival's centerpiece: elaborately built lanterns, some towering and depicting dragons, lotus flowers, or traditional figures, move through central Seoul carried by temple groups, monks, and lay participants, lit from within and glowing against the dark streets

02

The mystery stays covered

Beforehand, a public exhibition displays the finished lanterns up close, and a Traditional Culture Market offers hands-on craft-making and temple food

03

The city starts moving

After the parade, Daedong Hanmadang turns the street into an open communal dance, inviting spectators to join regardless of religious background

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The lantern-making exhibition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the nighttime parade of lotus-shaped lanterns through central Seoul

The sacred route

Living ritual

and the closing Daedong Hanmadang street celebration are the fixed elements repeated each year around Buddha's birthday

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Comfortable shoes for standing and walking along the parade route, a light jacket for cool spring evenings, and modest, respectful clothing if visiting Jogyesa Temple itself beforehand.

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

KRW

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map37.57 N, 126.98 EOpen in Google Maps

Seoul, Seoul, South Korea

Nearest airportGMP — Gimpo
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Seoul via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Seoul, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable shoes for standing and walking along the parade route, a light jacket for cool spring evenings, and modest, respectful clothing if visiting Jogyesa Temple itself beforehand.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for South Korea and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Yeondeunghoe Lotus Lantern Festival?

Yeondeunghoe Lotus Lantern Festival is listed for Past edition: 16–17 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Yeondeunghoe Lotus Lantern Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Seoul, South Korea. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

2 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Seoul, Seoul, South Korea

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLenglish.visitseoul.net
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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