Seoul Lantern Festival returns May 16–17 with road closures across Jongno

(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)

Seoul’s annual Lantern Festival will take place May 16–17 across Jogyesa Temple and the Jongno area, with large-scale road closures planned to accommodate the event.

The festival, which dates back more than 1,200 years to the Unified Silla period, is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. It remains one of Korea’s most prominent traditional cultural events.

To ensure safety, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will implement phased traffic controls beginning at 1 p.m. on May 16. Major sections of Jongno, Sejong-daero, and nearby roads will be closed to vehicles at different times, with some routes fully shut down until early morning on May 17. Additional closures will continue throughout the day on May 17, particularly around Anguk Intersection and Jonggak.

Public transportation will also be affected, with buses rerouted and some stops temporarily closed. Officials are advising residents and visitors to use the subway and check alternate routes in advance.

The highlight of the festival is the lantern parade, scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 16. Around 20,000 participants from more than 60 groups will march from Dongguk University through Heunginjimun and Jongno to Jogyesa.

Additional events include a large-scale community celebration following the parade and traditional cultural programs on May 17, offering performances and hands-on experiences.

USAG Yongsan