Korea in May 2027: Weather, Lantern Festival and Where to Go
This guide contains affiliate links to Trip.com. If you book through them, Korea Local Guide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what is recommended or the order of the route.
If you asked people in Seoul to pick one month to show a visitor around, many would say May. The cherry blossoms are gone, but the city turns green almost overnight. The air is warm without being sticky. Temple courtyards fill with paper lanterns.
There is a catch. May is also the month Koreans travel the most inside their own country. Two public holidays and a string of long weekends mean full trains, booked-out hotels and busy parks on certain days.
This guide covers Korea in May from the point of view of someone who lives here: what the weather actually does, which dates to plan around in 2027, and where to go.
Checked on October 29, 2026. Holiday dates come from published 2027 calendars. Festival dates for 2027 have not been announced yet, so the festival notes are based on recent years.
Weather in Korea in May
May is the warmest month that still feels like spring. In Seoul, afternoons often sit in the low to mid 20s and evenings fall to the low teens. Late May can have days that feel like early summer.
Two things catch visitors out. First, the gap between day and night is wide, so a T-shirt at 2 pm becomes a jacket at 9 pm. Second, yellow dust and fine dust still drift in on some days. Check the air quality in the morning and carry a KF94 mask.
The rainy season does not start until late June, so May is usually dry. Jeju gets more rain and wind than the mainland.
Dates to plan around in May 2027
Children’s Day falls on Wednesday, May 5, 2027. Families flood zoos, theme parks and Han River parks. If you planned Everland or Lotte World that day, move it.
Buddha’s Birthday falls on Thursday, May 13, 2027. It follows the lunar calendar, so the date moves every year. In the weeks before it, temples hang thousands of lanterns. On the day, many temples welcome visitors and some serve a simple free meal of rice and vegetables. It is one of the warmest experiences you can have in Korea as a visitor.
Around these dates, and on any long weekend, KTX seats and hotels sell out. Book trains as soon as booking opens. Our Seoul to Busan KTX guide explains how.
The Lotus Lantern Festival (Yeondeunghoe)
The Lotus Lantern Festival is the big event of May in Seoul. In 2026 it was held on May 16 and 17, the weekend before Buddha’s Birthday. The main lantern parade ran along Jongno from about 7 pm on the Saturday, ending near Jogyesa Temple, with a street party at Jonggak afterwards. On Sunday there were stalls and workshops around Jogyesa and a closing parade near Insadong.
Because Buddha’s Birthday is earlier in 2027, the festival will likely move earlier too. The 2027 dates were not announced when we checked. Look for them from March.
Even if you miss the parade, the lanterns stay up for weeks. Jogyesa in central Seoul and Bongeunsa in Gangnam are the easiest temples to visit. Go in the evening, when the lanterns are lit and the courtyards glow pink and yellow. You can hear the monks chanting from the main hall.
Nearby Gyeongbokgung Palace makes a good pair with Jogyesa. It is a 15-minute walk away.
Where to go in Korea in May
Seoul
Seoul in May is at its easiest. Han River parks are green, palace gardens are in leaf, and outdoor cafes open their windows. Late in the month, rose festivals start in several parks. Check local listings for dates.
Boseong green tea fields
Boseong, in South Jeolla Province, is Korea’s best-known green tea region. In May, rows of tea bushes climb the hills in bright green stripes, and the first harvest is under way. The air smells faintly of grass and tea. It is far from Seoul, so most visitors join a tour or combine it with Gwangju.
Damyang
Damyang has a bamboo forest that stays cool on warm May days. Read our Damyang day trip guide for the route.
Gapyeong and Nami Island
An hour from Seoul by train, Nami Island is all green avenues in May. See our new Gapyeong guide on this site for a one-day plan.
Jeju
Jeju in May is mild and green, with tea fields and coastal walks. Beaches are not yet warm enough for most swimmers.
Getting around in May
You will move a lot in May, so set up your phone first. Google Maps does not give full walking or driving directions in Korea. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap instead. Our Naver Map in English guide shows how. Both apps need mobile data, and a Korea eSIM is the simplest way to get it.
For buses and the subway, a T-money card works almost everywhere.
What to pack
Checklist
- Book KTX seats as soon as booking opens for early May
- Avoid theme parks on Children’s Day, May 5
- Visit a temple in the evening before Buddha’s Birthday
- Check the Lotus Lantern Festival dates from March
- Carry a jacket for the evening and a mask for dusty days
FAQ
Is May a good time to visit Korea?
Yes. It is warm, dry and green, with lantern season in the cities. Just avoid traveling on the public holidays if you can.
What is the weather like in Korea in May?
Mostly warm and dry. Seoul is usually in the low to mid 20s by day and the low teens at night. Evenings are cool.
When is Buddha’s Birthday in 2027?
Thursday, May 13, 2027, according to published 2027 calendars. It is a public holiday.
When is the Lotus Lantern Festival in 2027?
Not announced yet as of October 29, 2026. It is usually held the weekend before Buddha’s Birthday, so expect early May.
Is May crowded in Korea?
On public holidays and long weekends, yes, especially trains and family attractions. Weekdays are fine.
The short version
May in Korea is warm, green and full of lanterns. Plan around Children’s Day on May 5 and Buddha’s Birthday on May 13, 2027, book trains early, and visit a temple at night. For the month before, read our Korea in April guide.
