Korea's Public Holidays Explained

Korea's public holidays fall into two groups: national days fixed on the solar calendar and traditional holidays that follow the lunar calendar. Seollal and Chuseok each bring a three-day break, and substitute holidays are added when certain holidays fall on a weekend. The 2026 dates are listed in the table; check government announcements for any temporary holidays or changes.

Holidays on fixed dates

Holidays that fall on the same date every year are New Year's Day (Jan. 1), Independence Movement Day (Mar. 1), Children's Day (May 5), Memorial Day (June 6), Liberation Day (Aug. 15), National Foundation Day (Oct. 3), Hangul Day (Oct. 9), and Christmas (Dec. 25).

Independence Movement Day commemorates the March 1st Movement of 1919, Liberation Day marks liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, National Foundation Day celebrates the legendary founding of Gojoseon, and Hangul Day honors the creation and proclamation of the Korean alphabet. On Memorial Day, which honors those who died for the country, sirens sound nationwide at 10 a.m. for a moment of silence.

Lunar calendar holidays

Seollal (Lunar New Year, the 1st day of the 1st lunar month) and Chuseok (the 15th day of the 8th lunar month) are Korea's biggest holidays. Each lasts three days: the day itself plus the days before and after. Many people travel to their hometowns to spend time with family and hold ancestral rites, so roads and trains get very busy.

Buddha's Birthday (the 8th day of the 4th lunar month) also follows the lunar calendar, so its solar date changes every year. Around this time, lotus lanterns decorate temples and streets across the country, and Seoul hosts the Lotus Lantern Festival.

How substitute holidays work

When a public holiday overlaps with a weekend, the next weekday may be designated a substitute holiday. Independence Movement Day, Children's Day, Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, Hangul Day, Buddha's Birthday, and Christmas get a substitute holiday when they fall on a Saturday or Sunday.

For Seollal and Chuseok, a substitute holiday is added only when the three-day break overlaps with a Sunday or another holiday. New Year's Day and Memorial Day are not covered. The rules can be amended, so check the latest official guidance.

Election days and temporary holidays

Voting days for presidential elections, National Assembly elections, and nationwide local elections are public holidays. In 2026, June 3, the day of the nationwide local elections, is a holiday.

The government can also designate temporary public holidays when it sees fit, so it's worth checking official announcements when making plans.

Tips for visitors during holidays

During Seollal and Chuseok, train and express bus tickets sell out early, highways are heavily congested, and some restaurants and shops close. On the other hand, some attractions such as royal palaces and museums stay open and even host special programs, so check opening hours before you go.

Banks and government offices close on public holidays, but most shopping malls and convenience stores stay open. Some large discount stores may close on the main day of Seollal or Chuseok.

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Living in Korea

• Korea Basics for Visitors & Residents
• Getting Around Korea: Subway, KTX, Taxis