2026 Busan Samgwangsa Lantern Festival Guide
Dates, Lighting Hours, Transport, and Viewing Tips
The Samgwangsa Lantern Festival lights up a hillside temple in Busan with tens of thousands of lanterns around Buddha's Birthday. This guide summarizes the 2026 dates, lighting hours, free admission information, public transport route, and the best viewing flow.
Samgwangsa is famous because the temple grounds turn into a huge lantern tunnel at night. The location on the slope of Baegyangsan Mountain also means that planning transport, shoes, and arrival time matters as much as planning photos.
2026 Samgwangsa Lantern Festival basic information
Festival: 2026 Samgwangsa Lantern Festival
Dates: Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 24, 2026
Lighting hours: 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily
Place: Samgwangsa Temple, 77 Choeupcheon-ro 43beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Admission: Free
Inquiry: Samgwangsa Temple, 051-808-7111
The 2026 festival runs from May 15 to May 24, and the lanterns are scheduled to be lit from 7:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. For public transport, the official route points to Busanjin-gu village bus No. 15 from the stop across from Youngkwang Bookstore near Seomyeon Station Exit 9.
Why is the Samgwangsa Lantern Festival so popular?
- A large lantern tunnel: Lanterns cover the stairs, paths, and temple grounds, creating one of Busan's most memorable night scenes.
- A different kind of city night view: The mix of temple architecture, mountain slopes, and lantern light feels different from a downtown light festival.
- A well-known photo spot: Visit Busan notes that the festival was included in CNN's 2012 list of beautiful places in Korea.
Four viewing points
- Lantern tunnel stairs: The classic scene for photos under the lantern ceiling.
- Upper temple viewpoint: A good place to see the lanterns spread across the grounds.
- Large decorative lanterns: Popular with families and visitors looking for photo zones.
- Right after lighting time: Around 7 p.m., the remaining blue sky can make photos softer than a completely dark night.
Suggested viewing route
6:20-6:40 p.m. Arrive and check the entrance and stairs before it gets crowded.
Around 7:00 p.m. Watch the lanterns light up.
7:20-8:30 p.m. Walk through the lantern tunnel, main temple area, and decorative lantern zones.
After 8:30 p.m. Move toward an upper viewpoint or start leaving slowly.
Transport and parking
Village bus: From Seomyeon Station Exit 9, go to the stop across from Youngkwang Bookstore and take Busanjin-gu village bus No. 15 to the temple grounds.
Regular buses: Bus routes 44, 54, 63, 81, and 133 are listed for the Samgwangsa entrance, but there may be uphill walking from the entrance.
Car: A free temple parking lot is listed, but public transport or taxi drop-off is safer during busy evening hours.
The temple is on a slope, so expect stairs and uphill sections. Comfortable shoes, a light jacket, and a battery pack are useful, especially for evening visits and long photo sessions.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 Samgwangsa Lantern Festival?
It is scheduled from May 15 to May 24, 2026, with lights from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily.
Is there an admission fee?
Admission is listed as free, although on-site offerings or optional experiences may follow temple guidance.
What is the best arrival time?
Arriving around 6:30 p.m. is practical because you can check the route before the 7 p.m. lighting time.
Final note
The Samgwangsa Lantern Festival is one of Busan's strongest May night-view courses. The lights are beautiful in photos, but the scale is more impressive in person. Check official notices and transport conditions before leaving, especially if rain or crowd control changes the route.