How To Become a Lotus Lantern Festival Volunteer & Supporter In Seoul

The Lotus Lantern Festival celebrates Buddha’s birthday with huge elephant, dragon and flower floats as well as hundreds of people parading down the main street of Seoul with beautiful handmade lanterns. Not only is there a parade, there is also a day of experience programs where visitors can make their own lanterns and other Buddhist crafts as well as eat delicious food and meet Buddhists from around the world.

The parade has more than 100,000 lanterns and you can volunteer to walk down the street carrying one or pushing one of the massive floats. Meet people from around the world with one common goal and celebrate Buddha’s Birthday this spring in Seoul. If you can’t volunteer, you still MUST attend the Lotus Lantern Festival. Here is a guide to the events at the Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul, Korea and the dates to enjoy it this year.

Lotus Lantern Festival Volunteer Supporter Program, Seoul, Korea

The Lotus Lantern Festival is Important Intangible Culture Heritage No. 122 and is one of the largest festivals that takes place in Korea each year so getting to take part in the festival is a pretty amazing experience.

I got to participate as a Global Cultural Ambassador for the Lotus Lantern Festival many years ago and it is so worth it. If you’ll be in Seoul in spring, definitely look into participating if you can. Here is what you need to know to participate in the Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival.

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If you’ve been to the festival before and want to experience it in a different way, I highly recommend this opportunity. I met some great people from Korea and around the world and learned more about Korean Buddhism. I was also able to participate in every part of the Lotus Lantern Festival itself from the opening ceremony and walking in the parade to the final dance under the stars in the streets around Jogyesa Temple.

We danced together, we sang together, we bowed together and we ate together and through all of that we grew together. Two years ago, I was able to participate in the Supporters Program for the festival. I had the opportunity to learn more about Korean Buddhism, enjoy a temple stay for free, walk in the parade and volunteer at the festival as well as become friends with others in the program and this year, they’re doing it again. Check out the information below and sign up for the program now!

Events for supporters include:

A free temple stay in a tranquil temple.
Participation in a flash mob at Gwanghwamun Square
“Korean Halloween” Hogi Nori at Insa-dong
Volunteering at and walking in the Lotus Lantern Parade
Enjoying the parade from beginning to end and dancing at Jonggak Station square.
Uniform
Free meals
Volunteer certificate

Qualifications:

People that want to learn about Korean Buddhism and enjoy the Lotus Lantern Festival and volunteer.
Number of supporters to be accepted: 60 (Foreigners: 40, Koreans: 20)
Volunteers will be selected after an interview in English. The interview is just a formality to make sure you will be available for the entirety of the program.

Want to see what we get into? Check out this awesome video. You can see me dancing, making lanterns and learning if you pay attention!

Application Period and Interview

Application Period: March 27, 2024 – May 15, 2024
Submit Application here
Results announced: March 25, 2024

Volunteer Education & Program Schedule

March 2, 2024: Launching ceremony and lighting ceremony
April 6 – 7, 2024: Temple Stay Program and Lotus lantern making and learning for the festival
April 13, 2024: Learning about Lotus Lantern Making
April 17, 2024: Lantern Lighting Ceremony and Flashmob
April 20, 2024: Hoginori Participation
April 24, 2024: Hoginori Participation
April 27, 2024: Dance preparation and practice
May 1, 2024: Schedule and informational seminar
May 11, 2024: Flash mob in Jongno and enjoying the Lotus Lantern Parade
May 12, 2024: Traditional Cultural Events
May 15, 2024: Final workshop and Farewell Ceremony

Benefits:

Volunteer service time about 40hrs authenticated by Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs (1365)
Free educational lectures for volunteers
Priority to participate in Lotus Lantern Festival and all other events
Free Temple stay
Activities are conducted in both English and Korean
Uniform (tailored traditional Hanbok)

Even if you can’t be a supporter, mark the dates on down on your calendar to attend the events. This is one of the biggest festivals in the country and should not be missed. The colors are vibrant, the people are friendly and the history is immense. This is a cultural event that should be enjoyed.