Holiday calendar

Public holidays in North Korea

dates, names and what's closed

Reviewed & updated by יהב עטיה · About the team

It's worth planning around North Korea's holiday calendar: attractions, museums and banks close, public transport switches to a holiday timetable, and flight and hotel prices around long weekends jump. On the upside — festivals, parades and markets you won't see on an ordinary day.

Coming up

Upcoming public holidays in North Korea

Saturday 10 OctoberParty Foundation Day · 조선로동당창건일
Sunday 27 DecemberConstitution Day · 사회주의헌법절
Friday 1 January 2027New Year's Day · 설
Tuesday 16 February 2027Day of the Shining Star · 광명성절
Thursday 15 April 2027Day of the Sun · 태양절
Sunday 25 April 2027Military Foundation Day · 조선인민군 창건일
Saturday 1 May 2027International Workers' Day · 국제로동절
Tuesday 27 July 2027Victory Day · 전승절
Sunday 15 August 2027Liberation Day · 조국해방기념일
Thursday 9 September 2027Day of the Foundation of the Republic · 공화국창건일

All 2026 holidays in North Korea

Thursday 1 JanuaryNew Year's Day · 설
Wednesday 28 JanuaryLunar New Year (Seollal) · 설명절
Monday 16 FebruaryDay of the Shining Star · 광명성절
Sunday 8 MarchInternational Women's Day · 국제부녀절
Wednesday 15 AprilDay of the Sun · 태양절
Saturday 25 AprilMilitary Foundation Day · 조선인민군 창건일
Friday 1 MayInternational Workers' Day · 국제로동절
Monday 27 JulyVictory Day · 전승절
Saturday 15 AugustLiberation Day · 조국해방기념일
Wednesday 9 SeptemberDay of the Foundation of the Republic · 공화국창건일
Saturday 10 OctoberParty Foundation Day · 조선로동당창건일
Sunday 27 DecemberConstitution Day · 사회주의헌법절

If you're timing a trip to a holiday

Flights & hotels for North Korea

Long weekends around a holiday fill up early and prices climb. Check dates around Party Foundation Day (Saturday 10 October) now.

Check flight prices to North Korea, every airline at once.

Rates in North Korea shift daily. See what your night costs now.

Q&A

Answers to your questions

What's the next public holiday in North Korea?

Party Foundation Day — Saturday 10 October.

How many public holidays does North Korea have?

North Korea has 12 public holidays in 2026. Government offices and banks close, and some attractions and shops may be closed or on reduced hours.

What's closed on public holidays in North Korea?

Banks, government offices and post offices close. Many supermarkets and shops close or run reduced hours, especially in smaller towns. Public transport usually shifts to a weekend timetable, and museums and attractions vary — check ahead.

Is it worth visiting North Korea during a holiday?

It depends on the holiday. Ones with a public tradition — markets, parades, fireworks — are an experience in themselves. Ones where everything shuts and locals stay home are less convenient. The list above flags what to expect on each date.

Are shops open on Sundays in North Korea?

Some European countries restrict Sunday and holiday trading by law; others don't. In big cities and tourist areas something is always open, but don't count on a big shop run on a Sunday or holiday.

← Full North Korea guide Holidays worldwide

About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Dates: date-holidays

How we work