Korean National Holidays and Festivals

New Year's Day 설날

January 1

The first day of the year, as well as the second, are celebrated throughout Korea. An ancestral service is offered before the grave of the ancestors, New Year's greetings are exchanged with family, relatives and neighbours; bows to elders (sebae).

Lunar New Year's Day 설

February 8, 9, 10

THE 1ST DAY OF THE 1ST LUNAR MONTH

Seol is known as the Lunar New Year. This day is celebrated with family rituals honoring ancestors, special food (especially ttokkuk, a rice cake soup) and traditional games.

The First Full Moon (Daeboreum)

THE 15TH DAY OF THE 1ST LUNAR MONTH

Farmers and fishermen pray for a bountiful season, and ordinary households pray for other types of good fortune and prepare special dishes.

Independence Movement Day 3.1절

March 1

This marks the day of the anti-Japanese nationwide independence movement on March 1, 1919. Korean people throughout the country joined together in peaceful demonstrations while shouting "independence".

Arbor Day 식목일

April 5

On this day, thousands of Koreans plant trees to help the reforestation program.

Today, though enthusiasm for the tree planting has gradually calmed, the establishment of Arbor Day enables the mountainous regions covering more than 70% of the Korean landscape to be filled with lush forests.

Children's Day 어린이날

May 5

Children's Day was designated to cherish the rights of children and to encourage their happiness.

Many facilities including the royal palaces offer children free admission or discounts on this day. This is the day most children wait for with each coming year.

Parent's Day 어버이날

May 8

Three days after Children's Day in South Korea, it's the turn for the young to show their respect for the love received from their parents. Most Koreans buy their parents carnations and many children make paper carnations at school for their fathers and mothers.

On this day, children enjoy activities and games, along with spending time with their parents.

The Buddha's Birthday 부처님 오신날

May 15

The birth of Buddha has recently been designated a national holiday in Korea. In Seoul, a huge parade takes place and the streets are adorned with lotus-shaped lanterns to build celebratory spirit.Memorial events are performed at many Buddhist temples across the country and lotus lanterns are hung up side by side in the courtyard of temples and on the streets. In the evening, buddhists light lotus lanterns and hold parades while carrying these lanterns.

Memorial Day 현충일

June 6

This day is set aside for the remembrance of soldiers who died in battle. Memorial services are held at the National Cememtery in Seoul.

Dano 단오

THE 5TH DAY OF THE 5TH LUNAR MONTH

On this day, people rest from the work, and enjoy great feasts. Swinging, wrestling

Constitution Day 제현절

July 17

This day recognizes the adoption of the Repulic of Korea Constitution in 1948.

Liberation Day 광복절

August 15

In 1945, Korea was liberated from Japan after 35 years under their control. The first Korean government was established on August 15, 1948, and this day commemorates both events.

Harvest Festival Day (Chuseok) 추석

September 17, 18, 19

THE 15TH DAY OF THE 8TH LUNAR MONTH

Probably the most anticipated of the Korean holidays, Chuseok, or "Bountiful Abundance", is a time for families in Korea to return to their family's ancestral sites. Almost all workplaces and stores are closed for three days. Trains have become so crowded during the holiday that now people often reserve their tickets months in advance. And a few days before Chuseok, families prepare special dishes to be taken to the ancestral site memorial.

National Foundation Day 개천절

October 3

On this day, Korea was founded by Tan-gun in 2333 B.C

A simple ceremony to reenact those days is held on the altar called Chamseongdan at the top of Manisan, Gangwado. This altar is said to have been erected by Dangun to offer thanks to heaven.

Christmas Day

December 25

Christians account for the largest religious group in Korea (50% of the total population), and in Korea, Christmas is celebrated much like it is in the West.