Korea public holidays 2026–2027
Every official day off from now to the end of 2027, including substitute holidays. Enter your travel dates to see what overlaps.
Seollal 2027 is not the same day as Chinese New Year. The new moon falls just after midnight Korean time, so Korea's Lunar New Year is Sunday 7 February 2027, a day later than in China. Korea's break runs 6–9 February, including a substitute holiday on Tuesday 9 February.
All public holidays
Fri 25 Dec 2026
Christmas Day
Fri 1 Jan 2027
New Year's Day
Sat 6 Feb 2027
Seollal (Lunar New Year) holiday
Sun 7 Feb 2027
Seollal (Lunar New Year)
Mon 8 Feb 2027
Seollal (Lunar New Year) holiday
Tue 9 Feb 2027
Substitute holiday for Seollal
Mon 1 Mar 2027
Independence Movement Day
Sat 1 May 2027
Labour Day
A public holiday since 2026.
Mon 3 May 2027
Substitute holiday for Labour Day
Applies to government offices. Some private employers may not give this day off.
Wed 5 May 2027
Children's Day
Thu 13 May 2027
Buddha's Birthday
Sun 6 Jun 2027
Memorial Day
Falls on a Sunday. No substitute day.
Sat 17 Jul 2027
Constitution Day
A public holiday again since 2026.
Mon 19 Jul 2027
Substitute holiday for Constitution Day
Sun 15 Aug 2027
Liberation Day
Mon 16 Aug 2027
Substitute holiday for Liberation Day
Tue 14 Sep 2027
Chuseok holiday
Wed 15 Sep 2027
Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)
Thu 16 Sep 2027
Chuseok holiday
Sun 3 Oct 2027
National Foundation Day
Mon 4 Oct 2027
Substitute holiday for National Foundation Day
Sat 9 Oct 2027
Hangul Day
Mon 11 Oct 2027
Substitute holiday for Hangul Day
Sat 25 Dec 2027
Christmas Day
Mon 27 Dec 2027
Substitute holiday for Christmas
Long weekends in 2027
- Fri 1 Jan 2027 – Sun 3 Jan 2027: 3 days off
- Sat 6 Feb 2027 – Tue 9 Feb 2027: 4 days off
- Sat 27 Feb 2027 – Mon 1 Mar 2027: 3 days off
- Sat 1 May 2027 – Mon 3 May 2027: 3 days off
- Sat 17 Jul 2027 – Mon 19 Jul 2027: 3 days off
- Sat 14 Aug 2027 – Mon 16 Aug 2027: 3 days off
- Tue 14 Sep 2027 – Thu 16 Sep 2027: 3 days off
- Sat 2 Oct 2027 – Mon 4 Oct 2027: 3 days off
- Sat 9 Oct 2027 – Mon 11 Oct 2027: 3 days off
- Sat 25 Dec 2027 – Mon 27 Dec 2027: 3 days off
What the big holidays mean for visitors
Seollal and Chuseok are when most Koreans travel home to family. Trains and express buses out of Seoul sell out weeks ahead, and roads are jammed on the first and last days. Many small family-run restaurants and traditional markets close for one or more days. Convenience stores, large chains and many tourist sights usually stay open, though some places close on the main holiday day itself, so check opening hours before you go.
Other holidays are single days off. Expect busier sights, cafés and parks, and book popular restaurants ahead. Banks and government offices are closed.
New in 2026
- Labour Day (1 May) became a public holiday from 2026. Its substitute day in 2027 (3 May) is certain for government offices; private employers may not give it.
- Constitution Day (17 July) is a public holiday again from 2026, for the first time since 2007.