Korea officially follows the Gregorian calendar, but traditional holidays are still based on the lunar calendar. During the official holidays, offices and banks are closed but palaces, museums, department stores, and amusement facilities are open. Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) are the most important traditional holidays for Koreans, so millions of people visit their hometown to celebrate with their families.

2023 Official Korean Holidays

January12023

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.

January21-242023

Seollal (January 21 – 24, Lunar Calendar January 1) *Observed on January 24

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.

March12023

Independence Movement Day (March 1)

This day commemorates the Declaration of Independence proclaimed on March 1, 1919, while under Japanese colonization.

May52023

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.

May272023

Buddha's Birthday (May 27)

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.

June62023

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.

August152023

Liberation Day (August 15)

This day commemorates Japan's acceptance of the Allies' terms of surrender in 1945 and the following liberation of Korea.

September28-302023

Chuseok (September 28-30, Lunar Calendar August 15)

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.

October32023

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.

October92023

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.

December252023

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 27, 2022, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here.