• New Year's Day (January 1)
As in other countries, the first day of the New Year is celebrated. Many Koreans visit the coast or the mountains to watch the first sunrise of the year.
• Seollal (January 31 – February 2)
Lunar New Year's Day (Seollal) is one of the most important traditional holidays of the year; the holiday is much more significant than January 1st. Most businesses are closed, and people take several days off from work to visit their hometown to be with their family. Feasts are held with specially prepared food such as tteokguk (rice cake soup) and mandu guk (dumpling soup). Korean families enjoy spending time together by playing traditional games such as yunnori (traditional Korean board games), flying kites, or spinning tops.
• Independence Movement Day (March 1)
This day commemorates the Declaration of Independence proclaimed on March 1, 1919, while under Japanese colonization.
• Presidential Election (March 9)
March 9 has been selected as the official Election Day for the 20th President of the Republic of Korea. Polls will be open throughout the day, concluding at 18:00 KST. The votes will be counted with the results being announced on the news later that evening or early in the next day. Most businesses will be closed on this day, as well as many attractions and shops.
• Children's Day (May 5)
This day celebrates children and the hopes for children to be nurtured with love and care. On this day, special events dedicated to children and family take place at city parks, amusement parks, zoos, movie theaters, and many other places.
• Buddha's Birthday (May 8)
Falling on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, elaborate and solemn rituals are held at many Buddhist temples across the country and lanterns are hung along the streets leading to the temples.
• Local Election Day (June 1)
On this day, citizens throughout the nation will vote for the election of officials at the local government level. Held once every four years, the day is an official holiday so all citizens can exercise their democratic right to vote.
• Memorial Day (June 6)
Memorial Day serves to honor the soldiers and civilians who have given their lives for their country. While memorial services are held nationwide, the largest ceremony takes place at the National Cemetery in Seoul.
• Liberation Day (August 15)
This day commemorates Japan's acceptance of the Allies' terms of surrender in 1945 and the following liberation of Korea.
• Chuseok (September 9-11, substitute holiday September 12)
Chuseok is one of the year’s most important traditional holidays. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. As Chuseok is a day set to celebrate a bountiful harvest, it is often referred to as Korean Thanksgiving Day. Family members gather from all over the country for memorial rituals, called charye, at the graves of their ancestors.
• National Foundation Day (October 3)
This day commemorates the founding of the Korean nation by the legendary god-king Dangun. A simple ceremony is held at several regions throughout Korea, namely at Chamseongdan Altar on top of Manisan Mountain on Ganghwado Island; Dangunjeon Shrine in Gokseong, Taebaeksan Mountain and Jeungpyeong; and Dangunseongjeon Shrine in Seoul.
• Hangeul Day (October 9, substitute holiday October 10)
Hangeul Day is a commemoration held to remember the creation of Hangeul, the country's native alphabet as proclaimed by the publication of Hunminjeongeum (“The Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People”) on this day in 1446.
• Christmas (December 25)
Christmas is observed as a national holiday in Korea as in many other countries. To celebrate the festive season, Christmas trees and lights can be seen all over Korea.
* This page was last updated on December 3, 2021, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here.
* Photo&Contents Credit : http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto
• New Year's Day (January 1)
As in other countries, the first day of the New Year is celebrated. Many Koreans visit the coast or the mountains to watch the first sunrise of the year.
• Seollal (January 31 – February 2)
Lunar New Year's Day (Seollal) is one of the most important traditional holidays of the year; the holiday is much more significant than January 1st. Most businesses are closed, and people take several days off from work to visit their hometown to be with their family. Feasts are held with specially prepared food such as tteokguk (rice cake soup) and mandu guk (dumpling soup). Korean families enjoy spending time together by playing traditional games such as yunnori (traditional Korean board games), flying kites, or spinning tops.
• Independence Movement Day (March 1)
This day commemorates the Declaration of Independence proclaimed on March 1, 1919, while under Japanese colonization.
• Presidential Election (March 9)
March 9 has been selected as the official Election Day for the 20th President of the Republic of Korea. Polls will be open throughout the day, concluding at 18:00 KST. The votes will be counted with the results being announced on the news later that evening or early in the next day. Most businesses will be closed on this day, as well as many attractions and shops.
• Children's Day (May 5)
This day celebrates children and the hopes for children to be nurtured with love and care. On this day, special events dedicated to children and family take place at city parks, amusement parks, zoos, movie theaters, and many other places.
• Buddha's Birthday (May 8)
Falling on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, elaborate and solemn rituals are held at many Buddhist temples across the country and lanterns are hung along the streets leading to the temples.
• Local Election Day (June 1)
On this day, citizens throughout the nation will vote for the election of officials at the local government level. Held once every four years, the day is an official holiday so all citizens can exercise their democratic right to vote.
• Memorial Day (June 6)
Memorial Day serves to honor the soldiers and civilians who have given their lives for their country. While memorial services are held nationwide, the largest ceremony takes place at the National Cemetery in Seoul.
• Liberation Day (August 15)
This day commemorates Japan's acceptance of the Allies' terms of surrender in 1945 and the following liberation of Korea.
• Chuseok (September 9-11, substitute holiday September 12)
Chuseok is one of the year’s most important traditional holidays. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. As Chuseok is a day set to celebrate a bountiful harvest, it is often referred to as Korean Thanksgiving Day. Family members gather from all over the country for memorial rituals, called charye, at the graves of their ancestors.
• National Foundation Day (October 3)
This day commemorates the founding of the Korean nation by the legendary god-king Dangun. A simple ceremony is held at several regions throughout Korea, namely at Chamseongdan Altar on top of Manisan Mountain on Ganghwado Island; Dangunjeon Shrine in Gokseong, Taebaeksan Mountain and Jeungpyeong; and Dangunseongjeon Shrine in Seoul.
• Hangeul Day (October 9, substitute holiday October 10)
Hangeul Day is a commemoration held to remember the creation of Hangeul, the country's native alphabet as proclaimed by the publication of Hunminjeongeum (“The Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People”) on this day in 1446.
• Christmas (December 25)
Christmas is observed as a national holiday in Korea as in many other countries. To celebrate the festive season, Christmas trees and lights can be seen all over Korea.
* This page was last updated on December 3, 2021, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here.
* Photo&Contents Credit : http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto