What’s on in Seoul

Lotus Lantern Festival photo

Lotus Lantern Festival

11 May 2024

Jongo Street and various temples

The annual celebration of Buddha's birthday is a delightful experience for visitors to Seoul. They are welcome to join in the many festivities and activities that take place in and…

Lotus Lantern Festival

11 May 2024

Jongo Street and various temples

The annual celebration of Buddha's birthday is a delightful experience for visitors to Seoul. They are welcome to join in the many festivities and activities that take place in and around Jongno Street and the beautiful temples of the city, usually in early May each year.

Included is an exhibition of wonderful traditional paper lanterns that come in every shape and size, depicting various symbolic animals and objects. The associated Buddhist Street Festival is packed with activities, including folk dancing, traditional games, lantern-making lessons, and temple food tastings. The culmination of all the excitement is the spectacular Lantern Parade, when thousands of Buddhists carry their lanterns along Jongno Street.

Website www.llf.or.kr

White Day photo

White Day

14 March annually

On Valentine's Day in Korea, women traditionally buy chocolate for men. On White Day, a month later, the pattern is reversed, and women receive gifts. Popular White Day presents in…

White Day

14 March annually

On Valentine's Day in Korea, women traditionally buy chocolate for men. On White Day, a month later, the pattern is reversed, and women receive gifts. Popular White Day presents include white or dark chocolate, marshmallows, white clothing, jewellery, or objects of sentimental value.

As an extra twist, Black Day is held on 14 April, an informal traditional celebration during which single people get together to eat jjajangmyeon (white Korean noodles with black bean sauce) to commiserate not having received gifts on Valentine's or White Day.

Changing of the Palace Guard photo

Changing of the Palace Guard

Daily (except Mondays)

Sungryemun, Daehanmun and Deoksusung Palace.

At Daehanmun Gate outside Deoksusung Palace, visitors can watch the ceremonial Changing of the Palace Guard three times every day at 11am, 2pm, and 3.30pm. Each Changing of the Gua

Changing of the Palace Guard

Daily (except Mondays)

Sungryemun, Daehanmun and Deoksusung Palace.

At Daehanmun Gate outside Deoksusung Palace, visitors can watch the ceremonial Changing of the Palace Guard three times every day at 11am, 2pm, and 3.30pm. Each Changing of the Guard ceremony takes about 30 minutes.

Other highlights include a guard patrol ceremony held from Deoksugung to Sungryemun, and the Watchman Ceremony at the latter. These regal events are a must-see and provide a good opportunity to see the national military costumes and regalia.

Seoul International Marathon photo

Seoul International Marathon

17 March 2024

One for the sports enthusiasts, the annual Seoul International Marathon progresses through the heart of the city. The marathon attracts competitors and spectators from all over the…

Seoul International Marathon

17 March 2024

One for the sports enthusiasts, the annual Seoul International Marathon progresses through the heart of the city. The marathon attracts competitors and spectators from all over the world. Visitors should take note that relevant traffic lights are restricted for the duration of the race and that certain roads are closed, which leads to some travel disruptions for those not participating. This slight inconvenience is more than compensated for by the festive atmosphere in the streets and the spectacle of so many people enjoying the race.