Public holidays
South Korea · 2026
15 public holidays observed in South Korea during 2026. 3 school breaks shape travel demand. 10 long weekend opportunities.
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Memorial Day
Saturday, June 6, 2026
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All 2026 holidays
15 totalListCalendar
January 2026
- Jan1New Year's Day
Thursday
February 2026
- Feb16
- Feb17Lunar New Year (Seollal)
Tuesday
- Feb18Lunar New Year (Day After)
Wednesday
March 2026
- Mar2
May 2026
- May5Children's Day
Tuesday
- May25
June 2026
- Jun6Memorial Day
Saturday · Weekend
August 2026
- Aug17
September 2026
- Sep24Chuseok (Day Before)
Thursday
- Sep25Chuseok
Friday
- Sep26Chuseok (Day After)
Saturday · Weekend
October 2026
- Oct5
- Oct9Hangeul Day
Friday
December 2026
- Dec25Christmas Day
Friday
LegendPublic holidayBridge day opportunityWeekend
January 2026
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1New Year's Day🌉 4d
2Bridge day → New Year's Day
February 2026
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Su
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16Lunar New Year's Eve (Seollal Eve)📅 3d
17Lunar New Year (Seollal)🌉 4d
18Lunar New Year (Day After)
16Bridge day → Lunar New Year (Seollal)
March 2026
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Su
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2Independence Movement Day (Substitute)📅 3d
April 2026
Mo
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Su
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May 2026
Mo
Tu
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Sa
Su
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5Children's Day🌉 4d
25Buddha's Birthday (Substitute)📅 3d
4Bridge day → Children's Day
June 2026
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Su
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6Memorial Day
July 2026
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August 2026
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17Liberation Day (Substitute)📅 3d
September 2026
Mo
Tu
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Sa
Su
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24Chuseok (Day Before)🌉 4d
25Chuseok📅 3d
26Chuseok (Day After)
25Bridge day → Chuseok (Day Before)
October 2026
Mo
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Th
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Su
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5National Foundation Day (Substitute)📅 3d
9Hangeul Day📅 3d
November 2026
Mo
Tu
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Su
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December 2026
Mo
Tu
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Su
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25Christmas Day📅 3d
✨
Long weekend opportunities
Smart windows to maximize your time off.
New Year's Day
Jan 1 – 4
4days off
Thu1★
Fri2↓ off
Sat3·
Sun4·
Take 1 day off → 4-day weekend
Lunar New Year's Eve (Seollal Eve)
Feb 14 – 18
5days off
Sat14·
Sun15·
Mon16★
Tue17★
Wed18★
Falls naturally on a weekend.
Independence Movement Day (Substitute)
Feb 28 – Mar 2
3days off
Sat28·
Sun1·
Mon2★
Falls naturally on a weekend.
Children's Day
May 2 – 5
4days off
Sat2·
Sun3·
Mon4↓ off
Tue5★
Take 1 day off → 4-day weekend
Buddha's Birthday (Substitute)
May 23 – 25
3days off
Sat23·
Sun24·
Mon25★
Falls naturally on a weekend.
Liberation Day (Substitute)
Aug 15 – 17
3days off
Sat15·
Sun16·
Mon17★
Falls naturally on a weekend.
Chuseok (Day Before)
Sep 24 – 27
4days off
Thu24★
Fri25★
Sat26★
Sun27·
Falls naturally on a weekend.
National Foundation Day (Substitute)
Oct 3 – 5
3days off
Sat3·
Sun4·
Mon5★
Falls naturally on a weekend.
Hangeul Day
Oct 9 – 11
3days off
Fri9★
Sat10·
Sun11·
Falls naturally on a weekend.
Christmas Day
Dec 25 – 27
3days off
Fri25★
Sat26·
Sun27·
Falls naturally on a weekend.
✨
Plan your next long weekend
Choose a domestic or international Beevago pick for each upcoming break.
🎓
School holidays 2026
When schools are closed — peak travel demand from families.
Dec22
Winter Holidays
Dec 22 – Feb 28 · 69 days
Jul20
Summer Holidays
Jul 20 – Aug 18 · 30 days
Dec21
Winter Holidays
Dec 21 – Feb 28 · 70 days
Inspiration
Travel to South Korea
Guides and itineraries for popular destinations across South Korea.
⚠️
Important public holiday information · South Korea
General information
- •South Korea implements substitute holidays (대체공휴일) when certain public holidays fall on Sundays. For Seollal and Chuseok, if any of the 3-day holiday period falls on Sunday, a substitute holiday is granted on the next weekday after the holiday period.
Frequently asked questions
What are the public holidays in South Korea in 2026?
South Korea observes 15 public holidays in 2026, including New Year's Day (January 1, 2026), Lunar New Year's Eve (Seollal Eve) (February 16, 2026), Lunar New Year (Seollal) (February 17, 2026), Lunar New Year (Day After) (February 18, 2026), Independence Movement Day (Substitute) (March 2, 2026). See the full list above for exact dates.
How many public holidays does South Korea have in 2026?
South Korea observes 15 national public holidays in 2026. Some regions may add additional regional holidays on top.
When is New Year's Day in South Korea 2026?
New Year's Day in South Korea falls on January 1, 2026.
When is Lunar New Year's Eve (Seollal Eve) in South Korea 2026?
Lunar New Year's Eve (Seollal Eve) in South Korea falls on February 16, 2026.
When is Lunar New Year (Seollal) in South Korea 2026?
Lunar New Year (Seollal) in South Korea falls on February 17, 2026.
When is Lunar New Year (Day After) in South Korea 2026?
Lunar New Year (Day After) in South Korea falls on February 18, 2026.
When is Independence Movement Day (Substitute) in South Korea 2026?
Independence Movement Day (Substitute) in South Korea falls on March 2, 2026.
When is Children's Day in South Korea 2026?
Children's Day in South Korea falls on May 5, 2026.
When is Buddha's Birthday (Substitute) in South Korea 2026?
Buddha's Birthday (Substitute) in South Korea falls on May 25, 2026.
When is Memorial Day in South Korea 2026?
Memorial Day in South Korea falls on June 6, 2026.
When is Liberation Day (Substitute) in South Korea 2026?
Liberation Day (Substitute) in South Korea falls on August 17, 2026.
When is Chuseok (Day Before) in South Korea 2026?
Chuseok (Day Before) in South Korea falls on September 24, 2026.
When is Chuseok in South Korea 2026?
Chuseok in South Korea falls on September 25, 2026.
When is Chuseok (Day After) in South Korea 2026?
Chuseok (Day After) in South Korea falls on September 26, 2026.
When is National Foundation Day (Substitute) in South Korea 2026?
National Foundation Day (Substitute) in South Korea falls on October 5, 2026.
When is Hangeul Day in South Korea 2026?
Hangeul Day in South Korea falls on October 9, 2026.
When is Christmas Day in South Korea 2026?
Christmas Day in South Korea falls on December 25, 2026.
What happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend in South Korea?
Most public holidays in South Korea are observed only on the exact date. Some countries grant a substitute weekday off when a holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday — check the notes for each holiday above.
Are banks closed on public holidays in South Korea?
Yes — most banks, public administration offices, and the stock exchange close on national public holidays. Some retail and tourism businesses stay open.
What is a "bridge day"?
A bridge day is a regular working day that falls between a public holiday and a weekend (e.g. a Friday after a Thursday holiday). Many people take this day off to extend the long weekend without using extra vacation.
Are these dates official for South Korea?
Dates are sourced from official government publications and the relevant ministries. Always confirm regional and local observances closer to your travel date — especially for substitute holidays and bank-only days.