Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival: Last Night, Fireworks 8PM

Bottom line: The 2026 Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival closes tomorrow, October 18. Tonight, its last Saturday, brings a drone light show followed by fireworks — likely the festival's most spectacular night. If you're coming from Seoul and planning to return the same day, check the last train out of Jinju before you leave.

If you didn't know: The last KTX from Jinju Station to Seoul Station departs at 8:38 p.m. Tonight's fireworks start at 8:00 p.m. and run for roughly 20 minutes, but the festival grounds at Jinjuseong Fortress and the Namgang River are far enough from Jinju Station that even a taxi right after the fireworks may not get you there in time. Lingering to enjoy the lanterns can mean no way back to Seoul tonight — and an unplanned hotel bill.

Hundreds of colored lanterns float in rows on the Namgang River below Jinjuseong Fortress. After sunset, the fortress walls and the water glow red and blue together, and the lanterns ripple with every footstep on the pontoon bridge. Multiple outlets have reported that tonight a 1,300-drone show will paint the sky over the river, followed immediately by fireworks — though exact timing can shift on site, so it's worth checking the festival's official social media the same day. As of 2025, paid experiences included crossing the pontoon bridge (2,000 won one-way, 6,000 won for a day pass), writing a wish and floating a lantern (10,000 won), and launching a small lantern of your own (3,000 won) — 2026 prices may differ, so confirm at the ticket booth. From Seoul, the usual route is SRT or KTX to Jinju Station, then a city bus or taxi to the festival grounds.

Coming up: This same weekend, Seoul's Olympic Park is hosting the Grand Mint Festival (Oct 17–18). Doing both in one day isn't realistic, so pick one for this weekend.

Journey stage: During the trip · Verified 2026-10-17 · Source Jinju Foundation for Arts and Culture (yudeung.com), Korea Culture & Tourism festival database, Korail timetable