Over the Seollal holiday, free admission is offered at key royal sites: the four grand palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung palaces), Jongmyo Shrine, and all 40 royal tombs of the Joseon dynasty. With lighter crowds than usual, it’s an ideal time to explore and take in Korea’s history and traditions. The quiet winter scenery also provides a lovely backdrop for a hanbok stroll or photography. Note that on February 19, the day after holiday period, the four grand palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and all royal tombs will be closed.
Many major national museums and galleries—including the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA Seoul, MMCA Deoksugung, MMCA Gwacheon, and MMCA Cheongju)—are closed on Seollal Day, but often operate as usual during the rest of the holiday period. Admission is free at most national museums, and being indoors makes them an easy, weather-proof option for winter travel.
# Colorful Seollal Events
During the Seollal holiday period, cultural events and hands-on programs celebrating the Lunar New Year take place across Korea. Here’s a quick guide to key Seollal events in 2026 that travelers can take part in and enjoy.
① Nationwide | Cultural Events hosted by National Museums
- A variety of cultural programs are held at national museums across the country.
- - Locations: Cheongju National Museum, Jeonju National Museum, Iksan National Museum, Daegu National Museum, etc.
- - Dates: February 14-18, 2026
- * Some venues may be closed on Seollal Day (February 17); please check in advance
② Seoul | Byeongo Year Seollal Painting Giveaway
- Sehwa, traditional New Year paintings created to bring good fortune, are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- - Location: Gyeongbokgung Palace
- - Dates: February 16-18, 2026
③ Seoul | Unhyeongung e Seollal Celebration
- A variety of festive activities, including tteokguk sharing, traditional gugak performances, and mask-making workshops are available.
- - Location: Unhyeongung Royal Residence
- - Dates: February 16-18, 2026
④ Seoul | Namsangol Seollal Festival
- To welcome the Year of the Horse, the festival features traditional hands-on programs and performances themed around “a horse bringing good fortune.”
- - Location: Namsangol Hanok Village
- - Dates: February 16-18, 2026
⑤ Busan | Seollal Cultural Events at Busan Museum
- Programs include hands-on activities such as making horse-themed New Year cards as well as outdoor folk games.
- - Location: Busan Museum
- - Dates: February 14-18, 2026
⑥ Busan | Seollal Cultural Events at Taejongdae Park
- Visitors can try traditional folk games such as yunnori, jegichagi, and tuho.
- - Location: Taejongdae Park
- - Dates: February 16-18, 2026
1. Book transportation in advance
- Travel demand surges during the Seollal holiday, and intercity train and bus tickets sell out fast. If you’re planning to travel during this period, be sure to check booking dates for trains and buses in advance. It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan, like renting a car, if tickets are hard to come by.
2. Check business hours
- Many department stores, malls, and restaurants close on Seollal Day or during part of the holiday. Convenience stores and shops near tourist areas often stay open, but it’s still a good idea to check operating hours in advance.
- 2026 Seollal Holiday Travel Guide (Original source)
- Three Major Traditional Korean Holidays: Seollal, Dano, and Chuseok
