Discover Korea Like Never Before
Planning a trip to Korea?
Getting familiar with Korea’s public holidays and commemorative days beforehand will be incredibly helpful when planning your itinerary. On public holidays, most government offices and banks are closed, and tourist attractions can get much more crowded than usual. However, these days also offer wonderful opportunities to experience Korean traditional culture firsthand.
Major Korean Public Holidays
January 1: New Year’s Day (Sinjeong)
This day celebrates the beginning of a new year.
Korea celebrates both the solar New Year and the lunar New Year (Seollal).
On January 1st, there’s a tradition of watching the sunrise, so places like the east coast and Han River get particularly crowded.
Recommended destinations: Jeongdongjin Beach, Pohang Homigot
Lunar January 1: Korean New Year/Seollal (3-day holiday including the day before and after)
This is Korea’s most important traditional holiday.
Families gather to perform ancestral rites called “charye(A traditional Korean ancestral memorial ritual performed during major holidays like Seollal and Chuseok),” exchange New Year’s bows called “sebae(A traditional Korean New Year greeting ritual where younger family members perform deep formal bows to their elders while offering New Year wishes),” and eat tteokguk (rice cake soup).
On this day, adults wear hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and give children sebae money.
Be aware that most shops and restaurants close on Seollal itself.
- Recommended destinations: Korean Folk Village, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insa-dong, Gyeongbokgung Palace
March 1: Independence Movement Day (Samiljeol)
This national holiday commemorates March 1, 1919, when the Korean people declared independence from Japanese colonial rule and announced Korea’s independence to the world.
On this day, peaceful demonstrations took place throughout the country with people shouting “Long live Korean independence!” It’s a historically significant day that demonstrated Korea’s will for independence.
- Recommended destinations: Yu Gwan-sun Memorial Hall, Seodaemun Prison History Hall, Cheonan Independence Hall
May 5: Children’s Day
This day was established to encourage all children to grow up right, beautifully, and vigorously as democratic citizens with human dignity without discrimination.
Created by Bang Jeong-hwan, this day offers various events and discounts for children. Family tourists flock to amusement parks and zoos, making them very crowded.
- Recommended destinations: Lotte World, Everland, Seoul Grand Park, National Museum of Korea Children’s Museum
Lunar April 8: Buddha’s Birthday (Seokgatansinil)
This is Buddhism’s biggest holiday, commemorating the birth of Buddha.
Lotus lantern events are held at temples nationwide, and a spectacular lotus lantern festival takes place in Seoul’s Jongno district.
The sight of colorful lotus lanterns beautifully decorating the streets is truly magnificent.
- Recommended destinations: Jogyesa Temple, Bongeunsa Temple, Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple, Hapcheon Haeinsa Temple, Cheonggyecheon Lotus Lantern Festival
Looking to experience Buddha’s Birthday in a truly historic setting? Don’t miss our complete guide to Haeinsa Temple, where UNESCO heritage meets 1,000 years of Buddhist tradition.
June 6: Memorial Day (Hyeonchungil)
This day commemorates those who sacrificed their lives for national defense.
Events are held to pray for the souls of patriotic spirits and to honor the noble patriotic spirit and achievements of martyrs and fallen soldiers, with the Korean flag (Taegeukgi) being raised.
- Recommended destinations: National Cemetery, War Memorial of Korea
August 15: Liberation Day (Gwangbokjeol)
This day commemorates both August 15, 1945, when Korea regained sovereignty from Japan, and August 15, 1948, when the Republic of Korea government was established.
It’s a meaningful day celebrating Korea’s independence.
- Recommended destinations: Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonan Independence Hall, Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall
Lunar August 15: Chuseok (3-day holiday including the day before and after)
This is Korea’s representative harvest festival.
It means “the middle of autumn” and “the middle day of the eighth month,” making it the most important holiday of the year.
The entire family gathers to perform ancestral rites and eat songpyeon (half-moon rice cakes). Along with Seollal, it’s Korea’s biggest holiday, so most shops close on the day itself.
- Recommended destinations: Korean Folk Village, Andong Hahoe Village, Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple, Jeonju Hanok Village
October 3: National Foundation Day
This day was established to commemorate the founding of Dangun Joseon, the first ethnic state, by the national founder Dangun on the 3rd day of the 10th lunar month in 2333 BC.
It’s a day to reflect on the Korean people’s founding ideology and the spirit of “Hongik Ingan” (devotion to the welfare of humanity).
- Recommended destinations: Dangun Shrine, Manisan Chamseongdan, National Museum of Korea
October 9: Hangeul Day
This day commemorates King Sejong’s creation and promulgation of Hangeul (Korean alphabet).
It’s a day to promote the excellence of the Korean language and reflect on the value of Hangeul. Various events are held to honor King Sejong’s great achievements.
- Recommended destinations: King Sejong Memorial Hall, King Sejong Statue at Gwanghwamun, National Hangeul Museum
December 25: Christmas
This Christian holiday commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.
In Korea, it’s also considered a romantic date day for couples, and streets everywhere are decorated with spectacular Christmas decorations.
- Recommended destinations: Myeongdong Cathedral, Cheonggyecheon, Lotte World Tower
Korean Commemorative Days You Should Know (Non-holidays)
May 8: Parents’ Day
This legal commemorative day honors parents’ grace and celebrates the traditional virtue of respecting elders and parents.
There’s a tradition of children pinning carnations on their parents.
May 15: Teachers’ Day
This day was designated to create a social atmosphere of respecting teachers’ authority and honoring teachers, thereby boosting teachers’ morale and improving their social status.
Since it’s also King Sejong’s birthday, it carries additional meaning emphasizing the importance of education.
July 17: Constitution Day (Jeheonjeol)
This day commemorates the enactment of the Republic of Korea’s constitution on July 17, 1948. It used to be a public holiday but is now designated only as a commemorative day.
Travel Tips for Korea During Public Holidays
Travel Planning Precautions
- Seollal and Chuseok: These are 3-day holidays each, and especially on the main days, most shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions close. Traditional markets and local restaurants rarely operate.
- Children’s Day: Family tourists crowd amusement parks, zoos, and museums, making them very busy.
- Buddha’s Birthday: Many temple-related events offer opportunities to participate in temple stays and lotus lantern festivals.
Holiday Traffic and Transportation in Korea
- During major holidays (Seollal, Chuseok), highway traffic jams are severe. Use public transportation when possible.
- KTX train and express bus reservations can be difficult, so it’s better to book in advance.
- When legal holidays fall on weekends, one day is designated as an alternative holiday. Even when legal holidays connect with weekends, highway traffic jams are severe, so please use public transportation.
Accommodation and Reservations
- During holiday periods, accommodation prices can be higher than usual, and reservations can be difficult.
- Book accommodations near popular tourist destinations even earlier.
Shopping and Dining
- Large marts and department stores close on Seollal and Chuseok if these coincide with their regular closing days, but otherwise remain open.
- Most convenience stores operate 24 hours, so use them in emergencies.
- Traditional markets mostly close on public holidays, so check in advance.
Cultural Events During Korean Public Holidays
- Seollal, Chuseok: Great opportunities to experience Korean traditional culture. Programs like hanbok experiences and traditional food making become more common.
- Buddha’s Birthday: You can experience Buddhist culture through lotus lantern festivals and temple stays.
- Hangeul Day: Hangeul-related experience programs and exhibitions are held.
Editor’s Note: Don’t Avoid the Schedule, Use It!
Korean public holidays aren’t just days of rest—they’re days filled with culture, history, and family-centered emotions. While it’s good to avoid crowds at tourist attractions, sometimes we recommend experiencing local vibes through holiday food experiences, traditional event viewing, and commemorative day events.
If you’re a traveler who wants to understand Korea more deeply, don’t avoid public holidays—incorporate them appropriately into your schedule.
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