Written: October 8, 2026 · Updated: October 8, 2026

This guide summarizes official announcements and is not a firsthand visit review. Character illustrations are GPT-generated.

2026 Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival Remaining Schedule · Fireworks & Drone Show Dates · Free Shuttle, Before Visiting with Kids

2026 Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival official poster — Oct 3 (Sat) to Oct 18 (Sun), 2026, Jinjuseong and the Namgang area (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3)

It’s October in Jinju, with lanterns floating on the Namgang River 🏮

The 2026 Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival is
currently underway.
It runs for 16 days from October 3 (Sat) to 18 (Sun)
around Jinjuseong and the Namgang area.

The lanterns light up every evening until the 18th,
and there are still fireworks and drone shows left!

I’ve summarized the city’s press release (October 6)
and the official festival website information.

🔥 Happening Now, Remaining Schedule

A past festival — fireworks bursting over the lantern-lit Namgang and Jinjuseong (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3)

A past festival — drones spelling the festival's Korean name in the night sky above animal lanterns on the river (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3)

The lanterns are lit every day at 18:00
and shine until midnight (24:00).
Here are the must-see dates left in the festival.

On the 17th, the drone show and fireworks happen back to back.
The city press release also lists the drone show as ‘8 PM’,
so be sure to get your spot before 19:50.

🎪 About the Festival

A past festival — lanterns lined up on the Namgang at sunset and the lit walls of Jinjuseong (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3)

The festival began with lanterns floated on the Namgang
during the 1592 Imjin War Battle of Jinjuseong,
used for military signals and to send regards to families outside the fortress.

This year’s theme is
’River of History, Embracing Peace’.
Over 70,000 lights will shine
around the Namgang and Jinjuseong area.

There are 165 sets of floating lanterns on the river,
and about 1,200 ground lanterns,
more than last year.
It’s also the first year the festival was selected as a ‘Global Festival’
by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

✨ What to See and Where?

A past festival — a boat passing floating lanterns on the Namgang at sunset, with Chokseoknu on the cliff at right (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3)

All lantern exhibitions run from 18:00 to 24:00.
Each area has its own theme.

🏮 How Much Are the Experiences?

A past festival — people crossing a floating bridge lined with fish-shaped and rainbow-colored lanterns (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3)

Jinjuseong and the Jinju Namgang Lantern Exhibition Hall
are free to enter during the festival.
Jinjuseong is open until midnight, the exhibition hall until 23:00.

Most experiences run from 13:00 to 23:00,
and the fees are as follows.

At the Lantern Exhibition Hall ‘Lantern Festa’,
there’s a bubble show on weekends at 19:00 (about 30 minutes),
and on Fridays from 19:00 to 21:00, ‘Story of Fireflies’
(5,000 won, Jinju City integrated reservation).

For food, visit the Jinju Food Grand Feast
under Cheonsu Bridge at Mangyeong-dong riverside,
open daily from 11:00.

🚌 Getting There · Parking · Shuttle

There are 36 temporary parking lots
(11,360 spaces) near the IC and national road entrances.
Park your car and take a free shuttle bus into the festival.

The shuttles run on the remaining days
October 9, 10, 11 and 16, 17, 18
from 16:00 to 23:00 on 7 routes.

Hamo Call Bus also runs on these days from 19:00 to 23:00,
stopping at Gyeongnam Culture & Arts Center, Namgaram Park, Namgang Music Fountain,
Jinju Battle History Park, and the Intercity Bus Terminal.
General fare is 1,650 won, youth/children 100 won,
and cash is not accepted.

On these evenings, Nongae-gil, Namgang-ro, and Gangnam-ro
are closed to vehicles.
On the 16th (Fri), closure starts at 19:00; on other days,
it’s from 16:00 to 23:00.

👨‍👩‍👧 If Visiting with Kids

Jinjuseong — the Yeongnampojeongsa gate pavilion (Jul 2024) (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization Photo Gallery · 송희재 · KOGL Type 1)

If you’re with children, start at Jinjuseong Yeongnampojeongsa Hill
Character AniLand.
You’ll find Pororo, Shin Chan, and Baby Shark lanterns there.

At the music fountain, the ‘Citizen Lantern Making’
lets you make one of the 12 zodiac lanterns for free.

On the first day (3rd) alone, about 185,000 people visited.
Jinju City has asked visitors to come on weekdays if possible.

⏳ Still Awaiting Announcement

□ Fireworks & drone show operation in case of rain
□ Shuttle intervals & last bus times by route
□ How to join Lantern Day & Night Run, schedule
□ Stroller rental & nursing room locations

These are not yet on the official guide.
I’ll update this post when they’re announced.

If you have questions, call the festival info line
at 055-749-5322.

👍 Recommended for These Families

✔ Families who want to show character lanterns
✔ Families planning a night outing for fireworks or drone shows
✔ Families who want to make and float their own lantern

The 75th Gaecheon Arts Festival is also held
around Jinjuseong during the same period (October 9 to 18). See details → Go to Gaecheon Arts Festival Post

From lanterns lighting up at night to fireworks,
it’s a night stroll along the Namgang.

This post is a summary based on official guides before visiting in person. Event photos are from the Korea Tourism Organization, released under KOGL Type 3 (attribution, no derivatives) and shown unedited. Photos marked ‘Photo Gallery’ are from the Korea Tourism Organization under KOGL Type 1 (shooting dates noted). The character images are GPT-generated.

📷 The festival in photos 20

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AI-assisted translation. Numbers and article structure were checked against the Korean original on 2026-10-09. This is not a new verification of the event announcements. Original post (Korean)