Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival 2026

The festival runs October 3–18, 2026 around Jinjuseong Fortress and the Namgang River in Jinju. Lantern displays are scheduled 18:00–24:00, while bridges and booths operate 13:00–23:00. General festival admission is listed as free by VISITKOREA, but individual experiences can be paid: the official program lists, for example, LED hanbok at KRW 10,000–20,000, hanji-lantern making at KRW 15,000 and a Jinju Fortress history mission tour at KRW 5,000. On opening day, the official program lists a memorial rite at 18:00, a symbolic lantern procession at 18:30, first lighting at 19:30, a drone light show at 19:50 and fireworks at 20:00. Free festival shuttles operate 16:00–23:00 on Oct. 3–5, 9–11 and 16–18 from seven park-and-ride routes; road restrictions apply on festival weekends/holidays from 16:00–23:00 and Fridays from 19:00–23:00. The organizer asks visitors to use public transport. Live seat availability, on-site English help, bridge fees, step-free routes and weather/crowd disruptions were not tested.