Public Holidays in North Korea
Statutory public holidays in North Korea, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
North Korea at a glance
North Korea’s public holidays focus on the national leadership and the founding of the state, with Day of the Sun in April the most important date. The calendar uses fixed Gregorian dates rather than lunar ones.
Major anniversaries are marked with mass games, parades and choreographed celebrations in Pyongyang, and travel is possible only on organised tours.
North Korea public holidays 2026
North Korea has 21 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 |
| Founding Day of the Korean People's Army | Feb 8Sun | National |
| Day of the Shining Star | Feb 16Mon | National |
| Day of the Shining Star; Korean New Year | Feb 17Tue | National |
| Daeboreum | Mar 3Tue | National |
| International Women's Day | Mar 8Sun | National |
| Cheongmyeong Festival | Apr 5Sun | National |
| Day of the Sun | Apr 15Wed | National |
| Day of the Sun | Apr 16Thu | National |
| Founding Day of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army | Apr 25Sat | National |
| International Workers' Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Foundation Day of the Korean Children's Union | Jun 6Sat | National |
Showing 12 of 21 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in North Korea
The urban centres that anchor most trips to North Korea.
Pyongyang
A rebuilt capital of monumental boulevards, wide squares and deep metro stations.
Nampo
The main western port, with a sea barrage and industrial complexes.
Kaesong
A historic capital near the DMZ, known for ginseng and the joint industrial zone.
Hamhung
An industrial city on the east coast with chemical works and a theatre.
Chongjin
A Sea of Japan port and steel city in the far northeast.
Top attractions in North Korea
The places that draw most visitors to North Korea.
Juche Tower
A 170-metre granite obelisk on the Taedong river commemorating the state ideology.
Kumsusan Palace
The mausoleum holding the preserved remains of the country's former leaders.
Tomb of King Tongmyong
A pyramidal stone tomb from the Goguryeo kingdom.
Kumgangsan
The Diamond Mountains, a scenic granite range near the southern border.
Arch of Triumph
A granite arch commemorating the resistance to Japanese rule.
Mangyongdae
The hillside village recorded as the birthplace of the founding leader.
Festivals, food and getting around North 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
Falls on Jan 1
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🎉
Birth date of Kim Jong Il
Falls on Feb 16
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🎉
Seollal
Falls on Feb 17
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🎉
International Women's Day
Falls on Mar 8
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
Birth Date of Kim Il Sung
Falls on Apr 15
Food & drink
Getting around
Independent travel is not permitted; all visitors move on organised itineraries with licensed guides.
Travelling around North Korea’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in North 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
North 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.
North Korea public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does North Korea have?
North Korea has 21 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 North Korea is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are North 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, North Korea typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in North 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 North Korea?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Korea North
School term dates in Korea North
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.