In short
- Korea has ~15 public holidays in 2026 (including substitute days). The two that matter most are Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (harvest festival).
- On those two, the whole country travels home — trains sell out weeks ahead, highways gridlock, and many small shops close for days.
- Big cities can feel eerily empty and pleasant during Seollal/Chuseok — a good time to enjoy a quiet Seoul (convenience stores stay open).
- A substitute holiday (대체공휴일) gives a Monday off when a major holiday lands on a weekend.
Knowing the holiday calendar changes how you plan life here — when to book travel, when things shut, and when to take advantage of long weekends. Here's what to expect as a resident.
2026 public holidays
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 | New Year's Day (신정) |
| Feb 16–18 | Seollal (설날) — Lunar New Year (day itself Feb 17) |
| Mar 1 (+ Mar 2 sub.) | Independence Movement Day (삼일절) |
| May 1 | Labor Day (근로자의 날) — now an official holiday in 2026 |
| May 5 | Children's Day (어린이날) |
| May 24 (+ May 25 sub.) | Buddha's Birthday (부처님오신날) |
| Jun 6 | Memorial Day (현충일) |
| Jul 17 | Constitution Day (제헌절) — reinstated as a holiday in 2026 |
| Aug 15 (+ Aug 17 sub.) | Liberation Day (광복절) |
| Sep 24–26 | Chuseok (추석) — harvest festival (day itself Sep 25) |
| Oct 3 (+ Oct 5 sub.) | National Foundation Day (개천절) |
| Oct 9 | Hangeul Day (한글날) |
| Dec 25 | Christmas (성탄절) |
Seollal & Chuseok: the big two
These are Korea's most important holidays — family reunions with ancestral rites (차례 charye), traditional food, and a mass migration to hometowns. What it means for you:
- Book transport 4–6 weeks ahead. KTX/SRT tickets on popular routes sell out within minutes of release; express buses and flights fill fast. See trains.
- Highways gridlock — Seoul to the southern provinces can take 10+ hours by car on peak days. The crunch starts 2–3 days before and lasts 1–2 days after.
- Shops close. Traditional markets and many small restaurants shut for 1–3 days (especially outside Seoul). Convenience stores stay open, and big malls/museums/palaces usually do too.
- The upside: Seoul, Busan and Daegu empty out — parks and attractions are unusually spacious and calm. If you're not travelling, it's a lovely time to explore the city.
Golden long weekends in 2026
Koreans plan trips around "황금연휴" (golden holidays) — stacking annual leave onto public holidays. In 2026, Seollal gives up to 5 days (Feb 14–18), and taking 1–2 leave days around it can stretch to 6+. Several holidays fall to create 3-day weekends (Mar 1–2, May 23–25, Aug 15–17, Oct 3–5, Oct 9–11, Dec 25–27). If you want to travel, book early — you're competing with the whole country.
Festivals worth catching
- Cherry blossoms (벚꽃) — late March (south) to early April (north). Jinhae Gunhangje is the famous one; Yeouido (Seoul), Gyeongju and Busan are gorgeous too.
- Buddha's Birthday lotus lanterns — temples and streets glow with lanterns (the Lotus Lantern Festival / 연등회 in Seoul is a UNESCO-listed parade).
- Autumn foliage (단풍) — Oct–early Nov; Seoraksan, Naejangsan and the mountains blaze. Pair with the Jinju Lantern and Andong Mask festivals in early October.
- Summer — Boryeong Mud Festival, music festivals, and beach/river culture.
- Winter — ice/snow festivals (e.g. Hwacheon Sancheoneo ice fishing) and ski season.
Common questions
Will everything be closed on Seollal/Chuseok?
Many small shops and markets close 1–3 days, but convenience stores, big department stores, malls, palaces and museums generally stay open. Plan groceries ahead.
Do foreigners get these days off work?
Public holidays apply to employees generally. Your specific entitlement depends on your contract — see contracts & wages.
When should I book holiday travel?
4–6 weeks ahead for Seollal/Chuseok; KTX opens ~1 month before and sells out fast. Consider flying abroad — many Koreans do, so book those early too.
What gift do I bring to a family gathering?
A holiday gift set — fruit, health/ginseng drinks, or household items — presented with two hands. It's the thought and the gesture that count.
Sources: Korea Tourism Organization (visitkorea.or.kr), Korean government holiday listings and 2026 calendars. Lunar-holiday dates (Seollal Feb 16–18, Chuseok Sep 24–26) per Korean 2026 calendars; verify current year.
Last verified: July 2026. Holiday dates (especially lunar) and substitute-day rules change yearly — confirm the current official calendar. General information.
Planning around a holiday?
Ask others what's open, or share festival tips — post in the community and tag it Travel.