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- River lantern release on the Namgang — Watch hundreds (sometimes thousands) of paper lanterns drift down the river, each one glowing and reflecting like tiny planets. It’s quietly moving: part memorial, part wish-making, and the collective release creates a magical, slow-motion light show you won’t forget.
- Illuminated lantern boats and floating sculptures — Massive, moving lantern sculptures (boats shaped like dragons, turtles, cranes and more) parade on the water, turning the river into a living gallery. The scale and craftsmanship are impressive up close, and the moving lights give the whole scene a cinematic feel.
- Chokseoknu pavilion and fortress lit up at night — The old pavilion and fortress walls get dramatic lighting that highlights traditional architecture against the night sky.
- River lantern release on the Namgang — Watch hundreds (sometimes thousands) of paper lanterns drift down the river, each one glowing and reflecting like tiny planets. It’s quietly moving: part memorial, part wish-making, and the collective release creates a magical, slow-motion light show you won’t forget.
- Illuminated lantern boats and floating sculptures — Massive, moving lantern sculptures (boats shaped like dragons, turtles, cranes and more) parade on the water, turning the river into a living gallery. The scale and craftsmanship are impressive up close, and the moving lights give the whole scene a cinematic feel.
- Chokseoknu pavilion and fortress lit up at night — The old pavilion and fortress walls get dramatic lighting that highlights traditional architecture against the night sky. Standing on a riverside path with the lit-up historic buildings behind you makes the festival feel rooted in history rather than just a spectacle.
- Hands-on lantern-making and hanji workshops — Local artisans teach you how to make your own paper lanterns using hanji (traditional Korean paper), so you leave with something personal you helped create. It’s a fun, low-cost way to learn a craft, and your handmade lantern often becomes part of the river-release or parade.
- Traditional music, dance and nighttime parades — Expect pungmul drumming, masked dances and lively street parades that mix folk performance with bright modern lights. The live rhythms and crowds moving through lantern-lit streets give the festival a lively, communal vibe—great for photos, but also easy to drop into and enjoy without planning.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.