Holidays In Korea

South Korea celebrates a number of holidays that are common to the rest of the globe as well as several that are specific to its culture. The two most well-known holidays are Seollal, or Korean Lunar New Year, and Chuseok, or Korean Thanksgiving. Many Koreans visit their family in their hometowns during these two holidays.

The majority of businesses, banks, and governmental structures are closed during public holidays in Korea. But establishments like museums, eateries, cafes, amusement parks, and retail centers continue to be open. In Korea, the night before the majority of public holidays is typically highly busy as people head out to celebrate and catch up with friends.

There are certain culturally significant Korean holidays that are not recognized as public holidays. Pepero Day, Valentine’s Day, White Day, and Black Day are a few instances of such. The holidays are not days off for Koreans.

Korean Holiday	Date	Type of Holiday
신정 (sinjeong) New Year’s Day	January 1	Public Holiday
설날 (seollal) Lunar New Year	1st day of 1st lunar month	Public Holiday
발렌타인데이 (ballentaindei) Valentine’s Day	February 14	Cultural Holiday
삼일절 (samiljeol) Independence Movement Day	March 1	Public Holiday
화이트데이 (hwaiteudei) White Day	March 14	Cultural Holiday
블랙데이 (beullaekdei) Black Day	April 14	Cultural Holiday
부처님 오신 날 (bucheonim osin nal) Buddha’s Birthday	8th day of 4th lunar month	Public Holiday
어린이날 (eorininal) Children’s Day	May 5	Public Holiday
어버이날 (eobeoinal) Parent’s Day	May 8	Cultural Holiday
현충일 (hyeonchungil) Memorial Day	June 6	Public Holiday
제헌절 (jeheonjeol) Constitution Day	July 17	Public Holiday
광복절 (gwangbokjeol) Liberation Day	August 15	Public Holiday
추석 (chuseok) Chuseok	15th day of 8th lunar month	Public Holiday
개천절 (gaecheonjeol) National Foundation Day	October 3rd	Public Holiday
한글날 (hangeullal) Hangeul Day	October 9	Public Holiday
빼빼로데이 (ppaeppaerodei) Pepero Day	November 11	Cultural Holiday
성탄절 (seongtanjeol) Christmas	December 25	Public Holiday