Public holidays can significantly affect a trip to Korea, especially if your travel dates overlap with Seollal, Chuseok, or another major national holiday.
Government offices and banks may close, transportation can become much busier, and some restaurants, shops, museums, and attractions may use special holiday schedules.
At the same time, public holidays can be a great time to experience traditional events, palace programs, seasonal festivals, and a quieter atmosphere in some city areas.
This Korea Public Holidays 2026 guide explains the official holiday dates, what travelers should expect, when transportation becomes difficult to book, and what you should check before making plans.
Quick Answer: Will Korean Public Holidays Affect Your Trip?
Possibly.
The effect depends on which holiday overlaps with your trip.
For an ordinary one-day public holiday, travelers may notice:
- Closed government offices
- Closed banks
- Different operating hours at some businesses
- Larger crowds at family attractions
- Special cultural events
For major traditional holidays such as Seollal and Chuseok, the impact can be much greater.
You should expect:
- Very high demand for KTX and intercity transportation
- Heavy road traffic
- Some restaurants and stores closing
- Special schedules at museums and attractions
- Large numbers of people traveling between Seoul and other regions
Before finalizing an itinerary, check whether your travel dates overlap with one of Korea’s major holidays.
Korea Public Holidays 2026
The Korea Tourism Organization currently lists the following major public holidays for 2026.
You can confirm the current official schedule on the VISITKOREA Public Holidays page.
| Date | Holiday | Travel Note |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year’s Day | National public holiday |
| February 16–18 | Seollal Holiday | Major nationwide travel period |
| March 1 | Independence Movement Day | Observed March 2 |
| May 1 | Labor Day | Public holiday from 2026 |
| May 5 | Children’s Day | Family attractions can be busy |
| May 24 | Buddha’s Birthday | Observed May 25 |
| June 3 | Local Election Day | Official election-day holiday |
| June 6 | Memorial Day | National public holiday |
| July 17 | Constitution Day | Public holiday restored in 2026 |
| August 15 | Liberation Day | Observed August 17 |
| September 24–26 | Chuseok Holiday | Major nationwide travel period |
| October 3 | National Foundation Day | Observed October 5 |
| October 9 | Hangeul Day | National public holiday |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | National public holiday |
Holiday rules can change, and the government can also designate additional temporary holidays. Check the latest official information if your trip is several months away.
What Is Seollal?
Seollal is Korean Lunar New Year and one of the country’s most important traditional holidays.
In 2026, Seollal Day falls on February 17, with the official holiday period running from February 16 to 18.
The exact Gregorian dates change every year because Seollal follows the lunar calendar.
You can check current visitor information in the official 2026 VISITKOREA Seollal Travel Guide.
What Should Tourists Expect During Seollal?
Seollal is not simply another one-day public holiday.
Many Koreans travel to their hometowns to spend time with family, which creates unusually high demand for transportation between cities.
Travelers should pay particular attention to:
- KTX tickets
- Express buses
- Intercity buses
- Domestic flights
- Highway traffic
- Restaurant opening hours
Some department stores, shopping malls, and restaurants may close on Seollal Day or for part of the holiday period.
Convenience stores and businesses in major tourist areas are more likely to remain open, but you should still check the exact branch.
Book Intercity Transportation Early During Seollal
Train and long-distance bus tickets can sell out quickly during the holiday travel period.
If your itinerary includes a trip between cities such as Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, or Gyeongju, do not wait until the last moment to plan transportation.
If you plan to use KTX, read our How to Book KTX Tickets in Korea guide before ticket sales become busy.
Holiday ticket-release procedures can differ from normal periods, so check the latest KORAIL announcements rather than assuming normal booking rules always apply during Seollal.
Are Tourist Attractions Open During Seollal?
Many tourist attractions remain open during parts of the Seollal holiday, and some cultural sites organize special traditional programs.
However, schedules vary by attraction.
For example, national museums may close on Seollal Day even when they operate on other days of the holiday period.
Royal palaces and cultural attractions can also use special schedules around the holiday.
Always check the attraction’s official website before traveling across the city specifically to visit it.
What Is Chuseok?
Chuseok is one of Korea’s most important traditional holidays and is often described in English as Korean Thanksgiving.
In 2026, Chuseok Day falls on Friday, September 25.
The official Chuseok holiday period runs from September 24 to September 26.
You can check the latest traveler information on the official 2026 VISITKOREA Chuseok Travel Guide.
What Should Tourists Expect During Chuseok?
Like Seollal, Chuseok causes large numbers of people to travel around the country to visit family.
This can result in:
- Sold-out train tickets
- Busy bus terminals
- Heavy highway traffic
- Different store opening hours
- Some restaurant closures
- Special cultural programs
If you are staying in Seoul throughout the holiday, some central areas may feel quieter at certain times because many residents travel outside the city.
Popular tourist attractions, however, can still be busy.
Should You Avoid Traveling Between Cities During Chuseok?
Not necessarily, but you should plan carefully.
If you already have confirmed transportation, traveling during Chuseok is possible.
The bigger problem is making a last-minute plan after trains and buses are already sold out.
If your schedule is flexible, staying in one city during the busiest travel days can make your trip easier.
Are Restaurants Open During Korean Public Holidays?
There is no single rule.
Many restaurants remain open on ordinary public holidays.
During Seollal and Chuseok, however, some independently operated restaurants may close for one or more days.
Even businesses that normally operate every day may use shorter holiday hours.
Check each restaurant shortly before visiting.
Naver Map is useful for checking current listings, but holiday information may not always be updated immediately.
If you are unfamiliar with Korean map apps, see our How to Use Naver Map in Korea guide.
For an important reservation, contacting the restaurant directly is safer than relying only on a map listing.
Are Convenience Stores Open?
Many convenience stores remain open during public holidays, particularly in major cities and tourist areas.
However, operating hours can vary by individual store.
This makes convenience stores useful as a backup for drinks, snacks, basic meals, and everyday travel supplies when smaller businesses nearby are closed.
Are Banks Open on Korean Public Holidays?
Bank branches generally close on official public holidays.
If you need in-person banking or currency-related assistance, avoid leaving it until a holiday.
ATMs may remain available, but machine availability, foreign-card support, and withdrawal limits depend on the bank and ATM.
If you need cash during your trip, our How to Withdraw Cash in Korea guide explains how tourists can use Korean ATMs.
Do Subways and City Buses Stop Running?
No. Public transportation does not simply stop because it is a public holiday.
Seoul subway and city bus services generally continue to operate.
However, schedules and service frequency can differ from normal weekday patterns.
If your trip depends on an early morning or late-night service, check the latest route information for that specific day.
For everyday subway use, see our How to Use the Seoul Subway guide.
Why Are Seollal and Chuseok Different From Other Holidays?
Most Korean public holidays are relatively easy for tourists to manage.
Seollal and Chuseok are different because they involve massive family travel across the country.
The main issues are not only attraction closures.
The bigger travel problems are:
- Transportation availability
- Traffic congestion
- Restaurant closures
- Changing business schedules
If your trip overlaps with either holiday, treat transportation planning as a priority rather than something you can decide after arriving.
What About Children’s Day?
Children’s Day is observed on May 5.
This is a popular family holiday, so places such as:
- Theme parks
- Zoos
- Aquariums
- Family museums
- Large parks
can become especially busy.
If you plan to visit a family-oriented attraction on May 5, check reservations and ticket availability in advance.
What About Buddha’s Birthday?
Buddha’s Birthday falls on May 24 in 2026, with the substitute holiday observed on May 25.
The period around Buddha’s Birthday is visually distinctive because temples and streets near major Buddhist sites are often decorated with colorful lanterns.
Popular temples may attract larger crowds than usual.
If visiting a working temple, follow posted visitor rules and be respectful of religious ceremonies.
Labor Day Is a Public Holiday in 2026
One important change in 2026 is May 1, Labor Day.
It became an official public holiday in Korea in 2026.
This expanded the holiday to include groups such as civil servants and teachers who were previously treated differently under the older holiday system.
Travelers should therefore treat May 1 as a normal national public holiday when checking office and service schedules.
Constitution Day Is Also a Public Holiday Again
July 17, Constitution Day was restored as a public holiday beginning in 2026.
Older travel guides and calendars may still show July 17 as a commemorative day without a day off.
For a 2026 trip, use an updated calendar rather than relying on older Korea travel information.
Do Tourist Attractions Always Close on Public Holidays?
No.
Many tourist attractions, palaces, museums, amusement facilities, shopping areas, and cultural sites remain open on Korean public holidays.
Some may even hold special events.
However, opening hours are not universal.
An attraction may:
- Open normally
- Use shorter hours
- Close on the holiday itself
- Close on a different day after opening during the holiday
- Require advance reservations
Check the specific attraction rather than relying on a general statement that “everything is open” or “everything is closed.”
Are Shopping Malls and Department Stores Open?
Many large shopping facilities operate on ordinary public holidays.
Seollal and Chuseok are more complicated.
Some department stores and malls may close on the main holiday day or change their operating schedule.
Individual branches can also have different hours.
If shopping is an important part of your itinerary, verify the specific location shortly before visiting.
Can You Visit Traditional Markets During a Holiday?
Yes, but individual stalls are independently operated and may open or close at different times.
Traditional markets can therefore be less predictable during major family holidays.
If you are planning a market visit specifically for a certain restaurant or vendor, verify its schedule rather than assuming the whole market follows one opening time.
Do Pharmacies Stay Open?
Some pharmacies operate during weekends and public holidays, but many ordinary neighborhood pharmacies may close.
If you take essential medication, do not wait until a major holiday to refill it.
For general pharmacy information, see our How to Use Pharmacies in Korea guide.
For a serious medical emergency, call 119 rather than searching for an open pharmacy.
Can Public Holidays Affect Hotel Check-In?
Most major hotels continue operating during public holidays.
However, staff schedules, restaurants, spas, shuttle services, and other hotel facilities may use different holiday hours.
If you need a specific hotel service such as:
- Airport transfer
- Luggage delivery
- Restaurant reservation
- Late check-in assistance
confirm it directly with the hotel.
What Should You Book in Advance?
Advance planning is especially important around Seollal and Chuseok.
Prioritize:
- KTX tickets
- Express or intercity transportation
- Domestic flights
- Popular hotels
- Major attraction reservations
- Restaurants you specifically want to visit
For normal one-day public holidays, the need to book early is usually less extreme, but popular family attractions can still fill up.
How to Check Holiday Opening Hours
Use several sources rather than relying on a single old travel article.
Check:
- The attraction or business’s official website
- The business’s official social media if applicable
- Naver Map or another Korean map service
- Hotel staff or a tourist information center
- VISITKOREA holiday information
If the place is especially important to your itinerary, contact it directly.
Use 1330 for Tourist Information
The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline can be useful when you need general tourism information during a holiday.
It may help with questions about destinations, transportation, interpretation, and travel services.
Remember that 1330 is a tourism service rather than an emergency number.
For police, medical, fire, and other emergency contacts, see our Emergency Numbers in Korea guide.
Common Holiday Travel Mistakes
Trying to Buy KTX Tickets at the Last Minute
This is particularly risky during Seollal and Chuseok.
Popular trains can sell out because millions of people travel between regions.
Assuming Everything Will Be Closed
Korea does not completely shut down during public holidays.
Many tourist facilities and businesses remain open.
Assuming Everything Will Be Open
The opposite mistake is just as common.
Individual restaurants, stores, museums, and attractions may close or change their hours.
Using Normal Weekday Hours Without Checking
Public transportation and facilities may use weekend or holiday schedules.
Planning a Long Road Trip During Peak Holiday Traffic
Highway congestion can become severe during the biggest traditional holidays.
Using an Old Holiday Calendar
Some Korean holiday rules changed in 2026, including Labor Day and Constitution Day.
Always use current information.
Quick Korea Public Holiday Checklist
- Check whether your trip overlaps with a public holiday.
- Pay special attention to Seollal and Chuseok.
- Book KTX or intercity transportation early for major holidays.
- Check each attraction’s official opening schedule.
- Confirm restaurant hours before making a special trip.
- Expect government offices and banks to close.
- Do not assume public transportation stops running.
- Check holiday schedules for early or late transportation.
- Keep some cash and essential supplies available.
- Refill important medication before a major holiday.
- Use Naver Map to check local information.
- Check VISITKOREA for current holiday travel notices.
Final Thoughts
Understanding Korea Public Holidays 2026 can prevent a surprising number of travel problems.
Most ordinary public holidays are easy to manage, but Seollal and Chuseok require additional planning because transportation demand rises sharply and some businesses change their operating schedules.
If your trip overlaps with one of these major holidays, secure long-distance transportation first, then confirm restaurants and attractions closer to your travel date.
Do not assume that Korea completely closes during a holiday. Many tourist attractions and businesses remain open, and major holidays can also offer unique cultural experiences.
At the same time, do not rely on normal opening hours without checking.
Public-holiday rules, substitute holidays, transportation schedules, and business hours can change. Check the latest official VISITKOREA information and the official websites of the places you plan to visit before your trip.