The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Lantern Festival is held every autumn in Jinju (진주), South Gyeongsang Province. Thousands of lanterns light up Jinjuseong Fortress (진주성) and the Namgang River (남강). The 2026 edition ran October 3-18 and has already ended. The 2027 dates have not been announced, so this guide covers what the festival is, how it worked in 2026 and how to plan a visit next year.
Quick facts
- 2026 dates: October 3-18, 2026 (16 days). This edition is over. The 2027 dates are not announced.
- Hours: Unconfirmed. Sources disagree, so check the official site before you go.
- Price: Reports say entry to the festival grounds is free. Some paid zones and experience programs need a ticket. Prices are unconfirmed.
- Location: Jinjuseong Fortress and the Namgang River, Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province.
- Nearest station: Jinju Station (진주역). From there, take a taxi or local bus to the riverside.
What is the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival?
This is one of Korea's best-known lantern festivals. "Yudeung" (유등) refers to lanterns that float on water, and the Namgang River is the main stage. Lanterns glow on the water, and the old fortress above the river is lit up too.
The festival has a historical story behind it. It traces back to the 1592 Imjin War. Defenders of Jinju Fortress reportedly floated lanterns on the river to signal positions and to block enemy crossings. Today the lanterns are a celebration, but that wartime history is the reason the festival exists.
Reports say the festival has been selected as a World Festival for 2026-2028. That is worth knowing if you are deciding between Korean festivals, but check the official site if you need to confirm the status.
The 2026 edition: theme and programs
The 2026 theme was "The River of History Carries Peace" (역사의 강 평화를 담다). The city said it would add programs for foreign visitors and multilingual support, which is good news for first-time travelers who do not speak Korean.
The city planned three fireworks shows and three drone shows. One report said the drone show would use more than 950 drones to tell the story of the city mascots Hamo and Ayo. Blog sources gave the following dates, but these could not be confirmed on an official site:
- Fireworks: October 3, 9 and 17, at about 8 PM, on the river between Jinju Bridge and Cheonsu Bridge.
- Drone shows: October 3, 10 and 17.
The 75th Gaecheon Arts Festival and the Korea Drama Festival also ran October 9-18 in the same city. For more detail on the 2026 program, see this 2026 festival overview on Trvlogue.
Hours and tickets
Opening hours are unclear. One blog says the festival runs from 1 PM to 11 PM. Another says the lanterns light at 6 PM and go off around midnight. Treat both as unconfirmed. The safest approach is to check the official site, yudeung.com, once the next schedule is posted. A third-party aggregator lists it as the official site, but it has not been verified here.
Reports say entry to the festival grounds is free. A paid ticket is needed for some paid zones, such as the floating lantern bridges, and for experience programs. Prices are unconfirmed and no verified KRW amounts were found. One aggregator says tickets are sold at the gates, and that you can pay with cash or a Korean card. If you do not have a Korean card, bring some cash to be safe.
When is the 2027 festival?
The 2027 dates have not been announced. Based on past years, the festival is usually held in early to mid October, but this is not confirmed. Do not book non-refundable travel until the dates are official. Check the Seoul Start festival page and yudeung.com for updates.
How to get there
These travel times come from aggregators and have not been checked against Korail, so confirm timetables before you book.
- Choose your starting point. From Seoul, the trip takes about 3.5 hours by KTX (via Suseo or the Gyeongjeon line, 경전선) or about 4 hours by express bus. From Busan, it takes about 1.5 hours by bus.
- Book early. Trains and buses fill up in festival season. Reserve your seats as soon as the dates are known.
- Arrive in Jinju. Get off at Jinju Station or the Jinju bus terminal.
- Go to the riverside. Take a taxi or a local bus from the station or terminal to the Namgang River area.
- Expect crowds and closures. Roads near the river can be closed during the festival, and traffic is heavy. Leave extra time, especially on weekends.
Tips for visiting
- Arrive near sunset. This lets you watch the lanterns come on, which is the best moment of the evening.
- Choose a weekday evening if you can. Weekday evenings are much quieter than Saturdays.
- Pair it with the fortress. Jinju Fortress is lit up during the festival, so it is worth walking through as part of the same trip.
- Book accommodation well ahead. Hotels fill up fast in festival season.
- Check the official site for show times. Fireworks and drone shows have fixed dates, so plan around them if you want to see one. A Korean news report on the 2026 plans is available on Daum for readers who can use a translation tool.
FAQ
Is the Jinju Lantern Festival free?
Reports say entry to the festival grounds is free. Some paid zones, such as the floating lantern bridges, and the experience programs need a ticket. Prices are unconfirmed, so check the official site.
Can I still see the 2026 festival?
No. The 2026 festival ran October 3-18 and has ended. Use this guide to plan for the next edition.
How long does it take to get from Seoul to Jinju?
About 3.5 hours by KTX or about 4 hours by express bus, according to aggregators. Check Korail and bus timetables before you travel.
When should I visit during the festival?
Arrive near sunset to see the lanterns come on. Weekday evenings are much quieter than Saturdays, so they suit travelers who want more space and fewer crowds.
Once the 2027 schedule is published, confirm the dates, hours and ticket prices on the official site, then book transport and a place to stay early.
Sources: Daum News (Jinju city festival announcement) · SeoulStart festival guide · Trvlogue Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival 2026 (search summary only; page fetch failed) · Aboda 2026 October festival roundup (search summary only)
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