Korean Holidays

Korean holidays reflect the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Korea. Each holiday has its unique traditions and customs.

Major Korean Holidays

Here are the most important holidays in Korea:

Traditional Holidays

Seollal (설날)

Seollal is the Korean New Year based on the lunar calendar. It's one of the most important traditional holidays, typically celebrated for three days. During Seollal, Koreans:

• Perform ancestral rites (차례, charye)
• Give New Year's bows to elders (세배, sebae)
• Eat rice cake soup (떡국, tteokguk)
• Play traditional games like yutnori (윷놀이)

Chuseok (추석)

Often called "Korean Thanksgiving," Chuseok is a harvest festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Traditional activities include:

• Visiting ancestral hometowns
• Making rice cakes called songpyeon (송편)
• Performing ancestral memorial rites
• Traditional dance and music performances

Historical Holidays

Independence Movement Day (삼일절)

Samiljeol commemorates the March 1st Movement of 1919, when Koreans peacefully protested for independence from Japanese colonial rule. The date represents a significant moment in Korea's struggle for independence.

Liberation Day (광복절)

Gwangbokjeol celebrates Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. The name literally means "Restoration of Light Day," symbolizing Korea regaining its sovereignty.

National Foundation Day (개천절)

Gaecheonjeol celebrates the mythical founding of Korea by Dangun in 2333 BCE. The holiday commemorates the establishment of the first Korean state, Gojoseon.

Cultural Holidays

Hangeul Day (한글날)

This holiday celebrates the creation of the Korean alphabet (한글) by King Sejong the Great in 1446. It recognizes the importance of Hangeul in Korean literacy and cultural identity.

Children's Day (어린이날)

Established in 1923, Children's Day celebrates children and their rights. Parents typically spend the day with their children, visiting amusement parks, museums, or other family-friendly venues.

Memorial Day (현충일)

This solemn holiday honors those who died serving Korea, including soldiers and civilians. The name literally means "Memorial Day," and it's marked by ceremonies at the National Cemetery.

Religious Holidays

Buddha's Birthday (석가탄신일)

This Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth of Buddha. Temples across Korea are decorated with lanterns, and many people participate in the Lotus Lantern Festival (연등회).

Christmas (성탄절)

While not a traditional Korean holiday, Christmas is widely celebrated in Korea. It's often considered more of a romantic holiday for couples rather than a family or religious celebration.

Holiday Work Status

Most Korean holidays are non-working days, allowing people to fully engage in cultural and family activities. However, Hangeul Day and Memorial Day are exceptions and are considered working holidays.