Public Holidays in South Korea
Statutory public holidays in South Korea, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
South Korea at a glance
South Korea has a generous set of public holidays, several tied to the lunar calendar, including Seollal and Chuseok. When a holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday holiday is usually added.
Seollal and Chuseok each produce a three-day exodus as families return home, and tickets sell out the moment they are released.
South Korea public holidays 2026
South Korea has 22 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| The day preceding Korean New Year | Feb 16Mon | National |
| Korean New Year | Feb 17Tue | National |
| The second day of Korean New Year | Feb 18Wed | National |
| Independence Movement Day | Mar 1Sun | National |
| Alternative holiday for Independence Movement Day | Mar 2Mon | National |
| Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Children's Day | May 5Tue | National |
| Buddha's Birthday | May 24Sun | National |
| Alternative holiday for Buddha's Birthday | May 25Mon | National |
| Local Election Day | Jun 3Wed | National |
| Memorial Day | Jun 6Sat | National |
Showing 12 of 22 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in South Korea
The urban centres that anchor most trips to South Korea.
Seoul
A capital where royal palaces sit beneath a skyline of towers and neon.
Busan
The second city, with beaches, a fishing fleet and a dramatic cliff temple.
Incheon
The port and airport city west of Seoul, with a large Chinatown.
Daegu
A hot-summer basin city known for textiles, markets and nearby temples.
Gyeongju
The Silla capital, an open-air museum of tombs, temples and pagodas.
Jeju City
The gateway to Jeju's volcanic cones, lava tubes and coastal walks.
Top attractions in South Korea
The places that draw most visitors to South Korea.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The principal royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, with a changing of the guard.
Bukchon Hanok Village
A hillside district of traditional courtyard houses still lived in today.
Jeju Island
A volcanic island of lava tubes, crater lakes and waterfalls.
Bulguksa Temple
A Silla temple of stone stairways, bridges and twin pagodas.
Haedong Yonggungsa
A rare seaside Buddhist temple set on rocks above the surf.
Hahoe Folk Village
A clan village of thatched and tiled houses on a loop of the Nakdong river.
Festivals, food and getting around South Korea
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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🎉
Valentine's Day
Falls on Feb 14
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🎉
Seollal Holiday
Falls on Feb 17
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🎉
Seollal
Falls on Feb 17
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🎉
Seollal Holiday
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
Independence Movement Day
Falls on Mar 1
Food & drink
Getting around
The KTX high-speed network links most of the country in a few hours; book Chuseok and Seollal tickets the moment they open.
Travelling around South Korea’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in South Korea tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
South Korea's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
South Korea public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does South Korea have?
South Korea has 22 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for South Korea is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are South Korea's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, South Korea typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in South Korea?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for South Korea?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Korea South
School term dates in Korea South
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.