Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival

Jinju's lanterns are rooted in war: the festival traces back to lanterns lit during the Battle of Jinjuseong Fortress in the Imjin War, used to stop Japanese troops wading across the Namgang River. Today thousands of floating lanterns fill the river below the fortress each October, and the 2026 edition ran from October 3 to 18. The lanterns are made of silk and are recyclable, which makes this one of the more responsible big lantern shows here. With more than two weeks of evenings, you can pick a quieter weeknight, then walk the fortress walls once the river is lit for the best view of the whole display.