Holiday calendar

Public holidays in South Korea

dates, names and what's closed

Reviewed & updated by יהב עטיה · About the team

It's worth planning around South 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 South Korea

Friday 9 OctoberHangul Day · 한글날
Friday 25 DecemberChristmas Day · 기독탄신일
Friday 1 January 2027New Year's Day · 신정
Sunday 7 February 2027Korean New Year · 설날
Tuesday 9 February 2027Korean New Year (substitute day) · 설날 (대체공휴일)
Monday 1 March 2027Independence Movement Day · 3·1절
Wednesday 5 May 2027Children's Day · 어린이날
Thursday 13 May 2027Buddha's Birthday · 석가탄신일
Sunday 6 June 2027Memorial Day · 현충일
Saturday 17 July 2027Constitution Day · 제헌절
Monday 19 July 2027Constitution Day (substitute day) · 제헌절 (대체공휴일)
Sunday 15 August 2027Liberation Day · 광복절
Monday 16 August 2027Liberation Day (substitute day) · 광복절 (대체공휴일)
Tuesday 14 September 2027Korean Thanksgiving · 추석
Sunday 3 October 2027National Foundation Day · 개천절
Monday 4 October 2027National Foundation Day (substitute day) · 개천절 (대체공휴일)

All 2026 holidays in South Korea

Thursday 1 JanuaryNew Year's Day · 신정
Tuesday 17 FebruaryKorean New Year · 설날
Sunday 1 MarchIndependence Movement Day · 3·1절
Monday 2 MarchIndependence Movement Day (substitute day) · 3·1절 (대체공휴일)
Tuesday 5 MayChildren's Day · 어린이날
Sunday 24 MayBuddha's Birthday · 석가탄신일
Monday 25 MayBuddha's Birthday (substitute day) · 석가탄신일 (대체공휴일)
Saturday 6 JuneMemorial Day · 현충일
Friday 17 JulyConstitution Day · 제헌절
Saturday 15 AugustLiberation Day · 광복절
Monday 17 AugustLiberation Day (substitute day) · 광복절 (대체공휴일)
Thursday 24 SeptemberKorean Thanksgiving · 추석
Saturday 3 OctoberNational Foundation Day · 개천절
Monday 5 OctoberNational Foundation Day (substitute day) · 개천절 (대체공휴일)
Friday 9 OctoberHangul Day · 한글날
Friday 25 DecemberChristmas Day · 기독탄신일

If you're timing a trip to a holiday

Flights & hotels for South Korea

Long weekends around a holiday fill up early and prices climb. Check dates around Christmas Day (Friday 25 December) now.

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

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

Q&A

Answers to your questions

What's the next public holiday in South Korea?

Christmas Day — Friday 25 December.

How many public holidays does South Korea have?

South Korea has 16 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 South 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 South 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 South 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 South 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

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