Yeon-deung-hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival)
Yeon-deung-hoe is Seoul's most visually spectacular spring heritage event, celebrating Buddha's Birthday with the Lotus Lantern Parade down Jongno — listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2020 (May 16-17). On Saturday evening, tens of thousands of participants carry hand-made lotus lanterns from Dongdaemun to Jogyesa Temple in a procession that fills the entire street with soft light. Sunday brings the Eoulim Madang folk performance festival in the Jogyesa courtyard. The entire Insadong and Jogyesa district is hung with lanterns for two weeks beforehand. Free to watch; arrive by 5PM to secure a good viewing spot along Jongno 1-ga.
Yeon-deung-hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival)
The Festival
Yeon-deung-hoe is Seoul’s most visually spectacular spring heritage event, celebrating Buddha’s Birthday with the Lotus Lantern Parade down Jongno — listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2020 (May 16–17). On Saturday evening, tens of thousands of participants carry hand-made lotus lanterns from Dongdaemun to Jogyesa Temple in a procession that fills the entire street with soft light. Sunday brings the Eoulim Madang folk performance festival in the Jogyesa courtyard. The entire Insadong and Jogyesa district is hung with lanterns for two weeks beforehand.
Parade Day Tips
The procession typically begins at 7PM on Saturday and runs for several hours. Both the parade and Sunday folk festival are free and open to everyone. Jogyesa Temple itself is worth visiting independently for the elaborate lantern installations in the courtyard. The surrounding Insadong streets are beautiful even before and after the main events.
Getting There
- Subway: Jonggak Station (Line 1) or Anguk Station (Line 3)
- Arrive by 5PM: Good viewing spots along Jongno 1-ga fill up well before the 7PM procession start
- Free entry: No tickets needed for the parade or Jogyesa temple programs
- Explore early: Insadong’s lantern-lined streets are worth exploring before the crowds arrive for the parade
