Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival

진주남강유등축제

Inspired by the Battle of Jinjuseong during the 16th-century invasion, this festival honors those who defended the fortress by floating lanterns on the Namgang River to send messages to loved ones. Designated by the Ministry of Culture as a major representative festival, it features traditional performances, scenic river cruises, lantern-making and launching experiences, and tastings of local culinary specialties.

Book on the official site

Dates: Oct 3, 2026 → Oct 18, 2026
Venue: 626 Namgang-ro, Bonseong-dong, Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do · ⚓ Gyeongnam
Price: Paid
Ticketing: Official event site

Practical information

Opening hours: 13:00~23:00
Exact location: Jinju Castle and Namgang River Area
Organiser: Jinju City, Jinju Culture and Arts Foundation
Phone: 055-755-9111,761-9111

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🎟️ How to book — Official event site

1
Most regional festivals are free entry
Korean municipalities fund a huge number of free festivals (flowers, food, light shows) — free entry is the norm, not the exception, sometimes with paid stalls or activities on site.
2
Check the event's official site
The link sits on the event's VisitKorea page — it's the most reliable source for the program, hours, and any last-minute changes.
3
Book via a Korean platform if a reservation is required
When a festival has paid premium activities or an attached concert, booking usually goes through NOL or YES24 — see the matching guide on this page.
4
Call 1330 when in doubt
Korea's tourism hotline answers in English, Chinese and Japanese, 24/7 — handy for confirming a time or address when the official site is Korean-only.

💡 Good to know

When a price shows as "see details", the organiser simply hasn't published one in advance: in almost all of those cases entry is free and only some on-site activities are paid. Bring a little cash — many stalls don't take cards.