2025 Seoul Cheonggyecheon Lantern Festival Guide
The 2025 Seoul Cheonggyecheon Lantern Festival has finally begun on Friday, December 12!
The festival will run until Sunday, January 4, 2026.
I visited the festival on its opening night, and I have gathered information on operating hours, recommended viewing routes, photo zones, parking, and the King Carp store.
Here’s the order of the post:
1. Operating Hours
2. Recommended Viewing Route
3. Key Photo Zone Recommendations
4. Parking Information and Tips
5. King Carp Exhibition and Store
6. Viewing Tips: Nearby Cafes to Rest
1. Operating Hours
The festival runs from December 12, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
The lights will be on from 6 PM to 10 PM.
Since the exhibits feature light sculptures made with Hanji, LED lights, air balloons, kinetic art, and media art, it's best to visit during the illuminated hours.
2. Recommended Viewing Route
The festival area includes Cheonggyecheon and the Ui Stream. Most visitors will explore the Cheonggyecheon area, so I recommend the following route:
Start at the Dong-A Ilbo building, walk towards Jangtonggyo, and then to the Pagoda Language Institute.
This direction provides a more natural flow of the exhibits.
Walking from Dong-A Ilbo to the Pagoda Language Institute takes about 16 minutes, but with the crowds, plan for around 30 minutes to enjoy the sights and take photos.
3. Key Photo Zone Recommendations
Every exhibit area is a photo zone, but don't miss the large cake-shaped tree at the festival's starting point in front of the Dong-A Ilbo building.
Another must-see is the main sign at the entrance of Cheonggyecheon, featuring colorful horses celebrating the Year of the Red Horse in 2026.
4. Parking Information & Tips
Nearby, there are about four affordable public parking lots, but they have limited spaces, which may make parking difficult on weekends.
For safer parking, I recommend the Lotte Department Store or Lotte Hotel parking, which can accommodate about 1,500 vehicles.
5. King Carp Exhibition & Store
The King Carp exhibition is one of the hottest spots at the festival, located between Cheonggyecheon Gwanggyo and Jangtonggyo.
The King Carp store, featuring the I Love King Carp event, is just above Jangtonggyo.
6. Viewing Tips: Nearby Cafes to Rest
If you're visiting on a weekend, you might get tired from the crowds and cold. A great nearby cafe is Terarosa Coffee, located directly across from the Dong-A Ilbo building.
It has a spacious and stylish interior, perfect for families or couples to relax.
They offer warm seasonal drinks that are ideal for warming up and recharging.
Enjoy the 2025 Seoul Cheonggyecheon Lantern Festival!
Thank you!
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