![A view of the 2025 Seoul Lantern Festival. [Photo=Seoul Tourism Organization]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/01/02/20260102103315403426.jpg)
SEOUL, January 2 (AJP) - Seoul's annual lantern festival along the Cheonggye Stream will be extended by two more weeks, organizers said on Friday.
In its 17th year, the festival featuring around 500 lanterns made from traditional handmade paper, as well as glowing displays and other festive decorations, was supposed to close this weekend but will now continue to illuminate the capital until mid-January.
The extension came as the festival has drawn nearly 300 million people including foreign travelers, in about three weeks since its opening on Dec. 12.
"Thanks to the strong interest and support from citizens and tourists, we decided to extend the festival," said Kil Ki-yeon, CEO of Seoul Tourism Organization.
Except for next Monday, when it will be closed for maintenance and preparations, the festival runs nightly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. until Jan. 18, with closing extended by one hour to accommodate after-work crowds.
But visitors should hurry to see some of the highlights such as a 73-meter-long installation featuring Magikarp, a piscine Pokémon with reddish-orange scales before it is removed this week to make way for new displays.
In its 17th year, the festival featuring around 500 lanterns made from traditional handmade paper, as well as glowing displays and other festive decorations, was supposed to close this weekend but will now continue to illuminate the capital until mid-January.
The extension came as the festival has drawn nearly 300 million people including foreign travelers, in about three weeks since its opening on Dec. 12.
"Thanks to the strong interest and support from citizens and tourists, we decided to extend the festival," said Kil Ki-yeon, CEO of Seoul Tourism Organization.
Except for next Monday, when it will be closed for maintenance and preparations, the festival runs nightly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. until Jan. 18, with closing extended by one hour to accommodate after-work crowds.
But visitors should hurry to see some of the highlights such as a 73-meter-long installation featuring Magikarp, a piscine Pokémon with reddish-orange scales before it is removed this week to make way for new displays.
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