The Yeon Deung Hoe Lotus Lantern Festival is a modern-day annual tradition that offers visitors the chance to experience Buddhist culture that has been celebrated for more than a thousand years on the peninsula. The main event of the festival is the Lantern Parade, during which more than 100,000 brightly-colored illuminated lanterns and lantern floats in various shapes flood the streets of downtown Seoul.

Other programs include an exhibition of breathtaking traditional Buddhist lanterns and various performances including Korean folk music performances, dance performances as well as traditional Buddhist dance performances. However, the festival favorite is the Buddhist Street Festival, an event where participants get to experience Buddhist culture firsthand. Participants can make lotus lanterns, get their faces painted, create Buddhist art, try temple food and play folk games. Festival goers do not only get to experience the Buddhist cultures of Korea, but the Buddhist cultures of Thailand, Taiwan, Myanmar, Tibet and Mongolia as well.

2014 Festival Schedule: April 24 ~ May 11

Traditional Lanterns Exhibition

With soft, lovely light the lanterns convey the aspirations and careful attention to detail of their creators.

You can browse through traditional hanji paper lanterns in all colors and shapes.

When: April 25 (Fri) ~ May 11 (Sun)

Where:

Jogyesa Temple (subway line 3, Anguk Station)

Bongeunsa Temple (subway line 2, Samseong Station)

Cheonggyecheon Stream (subway line 1, Jonggak Station)

Venue Various; Jongno Vicinity

Phone +82-2-722-2206

Date(s) 2014-04-25 ~ 2014-05-11

Price Free

Website http://www.llf.or.kr/eng/