🏮 Seoul Lantern Festival 2025 — A Walk of Light Along Cheonggyecheon

Before heading down to Cheonggyecheon, I spent the evening at Gwanghwamun Square first.
You can read the full story of the lights, Christmas market, and winter atmosphere here:
👉 Seoul Light Gwanghwamun 2025: A Magical Winter Night At Gwanghwamun: Christmas Market & Lights — Seoul Light Gwanghwamun 2025

After a short walk from Gwanghwamun Square,
the atmosphere of the city quietly begins to change.

🌏 Before You Head Out to Seoul Lantern Festival 2025

Before you go, make sure to download Naver Map — the most reliable navigation app in Korea.
While Google Maps can be inconsistent with local addresses and routes, Naver Map offers accurate walking, driving, and public transportation directions in English.
From finding landmarks and cafés to navigating festivals, neighborhoods, and transit, it’s the best all-around map app for getting around Seoul smoothly.
Available on both Android and iOS, it’s an essential travel companion in Korea.

👉 Download Naver Map (Google Play) | App Store

Leaving the lively plaza behind, you arrive at Cheonggyecheon Plaza,
where the winter night fills with soft, glowing colors.
Here, light doesn’t compete for attention —
it flows gently along the stream.

Along the way stands the Chinggyeong Memorial Pavilion (Monument Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of King Gojong’s Enthronement)
quietly marking a moment of imperial hope
before the lantern-lit stream comes into view.

✨ Seoul Lantern Festival 2025 — Essential Information:

Dates: December 12, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (24 days)
Website: 2025 Seoul Lantern Festival & Gwanghwamun Market
Hours: Daily, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Locations:
- Cheonggyecheon Stream (Cheonggye Plaza → Samil Bridge)
- Ui Stream (Ui Bridge → Suyu Bridge)
Theme: My Light, Our Dreams, Seoul’s Magic
Admission: Free

🏮 Cheonggyecheon Section — Four Stories Told Through Light

The Cheonggyecheon section is divided into four themed zones.
More than 400 illuminated installations, ranging from traditional lanterns to media art,
line the stream and guide visitors through the city’s stories.

① Miracle Seoul

Cheonggye Plaza → Gwangtonggyo Bridge

This zone portrays Seoul’s past, present, and future through light.
One highlight is “The Moment of First Light,”
which recreates Korea’s first electric lighting, alongside warm scenes of everyday life and urban change.

👉 During this visit, I explored only this section, as I had to return to Sejong by a scheduled bus.

Seoul Lantern Festival 2025

② Golden Secret

Gwangtonggyo Bridge → Gwanggyo Bridge
A dream-themed zone that expresses hidden wishes through K-culture motifs and youthful energy.

③ Dream Light

Gwanggyo Bridge → Jangtonggyo Bridge
Focused on the dreams of our time, this section connects Cheonggyecheon’s past and present through light.

④ Seoul Fantasia

Jangtonggyo Bridge → Samil Bridge
Projection mapping and laser effects transform the stream into a dreamlike fantasy space.

🌊 Walking Through Cheonggyecheon at Night

Even with crowds, Cheonggyecheon never feels overwhelming.
The cold air and busy foot traffic seem to melt away
in front of the colorful, glowing installations.

Near the entrance,
modern Christmas decorations, playful lights,
and cheerful installations for children welcome visitors.

As you walk deeper along the stream, the mood changes.
From the Joseon era to the present day,
Korean history unfolds quietly — always centered on people.

Everywhere feels like a photo zone.
Large installations, including a Statue of Liberty figure on a bridge,
blend surprisingly well with the nighttime scenery.