Yeondeunghoe

Lotus Lantern Festival, Seoul, around Buddha's Birthday Seoul's lantern celebration is a moving river of light rather than a static display. In May 2026 around 50,000 participants carried some 100,000 handheld lanterns from Heunginjimun along Jongno, through the center of the old city, and even a few robot monks joined the march. The closing day brought cultural programs near Jogyesa Temple and an evening street celebration in Insa-dong. Claim a spot on Jongno early on parade night, when the crowds are thickest, and save the closing day for the slower, more hands-on side of the festival around the temple.