Theme: 'Promise, Love & Destiny'

Light tunnels, illuminated sculptures and heart-shaped LED displays around 'The Sphere'

[Provided by Songpa-gu]
[Provided by Songpa-gu]

Songpa-gu in Seoul will host the Luminarie Festival at Seokchon Lake from Friday through Feb. 28 next year, the district announced.

Now in its fifth year, the Luminarie Festival has lit up Seokchon Lake every autumn and winter since 2022, establishing itself as one of Seoul's signature seasonal events. Last year's edition drew 2.89 million visitors, up 27 percent from the previous year.

This year's theme is "Promise, Love & Destiny" — a story told in light, tracing how a promise shared with a loved one blossoms into love and is fulfilled as destiny. The display will run along the 2.5-kilometer walking path that circles the lake.

The festival is bigger and more elaborate than ever this year, with a wider variety of illuminated sculptures set to make the lake shine more brilliantly through the autumn and winter months.

Starting at the Luminarie Main Gate at the entrance to the east basin, visitors will be guided into a world of light by a dazzling tunnel gate and a series of arch gates of varying shapes lining the walking path.

Along the east basin promenade, visitors can also encounter works by installation artist Han Ho.

Around "The Sphere" on the west basin, heart-shaped LED sculptures have been installed.

The opening ceremony will be held Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the waterfront stage on the east basin, featuring tenor Kang Shin-joo, soprano Kim Eun-jung, rookie girl group Our Birthday and vocal group Forestella. On Sunday and Monday, cultural performances and events — including sets by Songpa youth artists, a flute, jazz piano and harp ensemble, and a magic show — will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A flea market, experience booths and food trucks will also operate from Friday through Monday.

Also from Friday through Nov. 6, the district will run a "Hands of Light" photo challenge in partnership with the Songpa-Jamsil Tourism Special Zone Council. Participants can join by photographing themselves making a finger-heart or "hands of light" pose at the festival and posting it on Instagram with the designated hashtag. Fifty winners with the best poses will receive online coffee coupons.

The Luminarie light display and photo zones will be open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. through Feb. 28 next year.

"This year's Luminarie captures a special story of promise, love and destiny told through light," Songpa-gu District Mayor Seo Gang-seok said. "I hope you will walk along the illuminated Seokchon Lake with your family, friends and loved ones and create happy memories together."


cook@heraldcorp.com