2024 Korean Holidays: Plan Your Vacation Around These Dates

Whether you're captivated by the lively spirit of traditional festivals or seeking serene moments during the holidays, weaving these key dates into your plans promises an adventure rich in culture and unforgettable experiences.

Are you ready to dive into South Korea's dazzling calendar packed with vibrant cultural celebrations and exciting festivities? Check out these dates for Korean holidays.

Seollal, also known as the Korean New Year or Lunar New Year, is a three-day national holiday commemorating the first day of the Korean lunar calendar.

Families often come together to perform ancestral rituals, eat traditional foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup), play games, and exchange wishes for the new year.

A widespread practice of this holiday includes performing a formal bow to elders before receiving money from them.

This is one of the important Korean holidays that commemorates the Independence Movement of 1919. 

Celebrated on the first day of March every year, this holiday is a powerful tribute to the bravery and resilience of those who rallied for Korea's independence.

It's a day marked by spirited demonstrations, cultural performances, and heartfelt ceremonies throughout the country.

Children's Day, also known as 어린이날 (Eorininal), is a day dedicated entirely to children.

This holiday is considered a second birthday, created by writer and activist Bang Jeong Hwan to promote children's rights. 

On this day, families often take their children to an amusement park or go on a picnic.

You can't celebrate the former holiday without considering the parents too.

Parents' Day is a day to honor and show the utmost appreciation for your parents' love and sacrifices.

Red carnations are used during Parents' Day in Korea because they symbolize admiration, love, and gratitude.

That's why giving parents a red carnation is so important. 

It's a tradition deeply rooted in cultural values of family and piety.

Buddha's Birthday is always celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month of the new year. 

In 2024, it will be celebrated on May 15th.

Temples are open all day, offering visitors free tea and rice meals, such as bibimbap. 

People also attend lantern festivals and hang lotus lanterns in their homes to symbolize the holy month.

In Seoul, there is an evening parade from Tapgol Park to Jogyesa, where spectators from all over can watch monks and followers of the Buddhist faith honor their religion in the brightest lights.

On this day, South Korea hosts memorial services and flag-laying ceremonies to honor the soldiers of Korea's past and present.

Many visit the famous Seoul National Memorial Cemetery to honor the fallen heroes. 

In the center of the cemetery, a powerful siren can be heard, signaling a moment of silence for the fallen heroes.

Considered South Korea's independence day, the National Liberation Day of Korea pays tribute to the struggle for liberation against Japanese colonial rule, marking the day the nation regained its freedom from Japan.

People often visit historical sites, museums, and monuments during this Korean holiday.

They also dress in traditional attire (called hanbok) to showcase their pride. At night, people gather in large numbers to watch the fireworks.

All homes are also encouraged to display the South Korean national flag, the Taegukgi. 

During this day, museums waive their entrance fees to the descendants of the independence activists.

Most famously known as the Korean Thanksgiving Day, this is one of the year's most important holidays.

So much so that many idols, such as BTS, have come out with merchandise to celebrate this festive holiday.

Lasting three days, including the day before and after Chuseok, many Koreans will return to their hometowns to celebrate with their families.

The women often prepare an ancestral memorial ceremony (called a charye) and fill a table with the favorite food of relatives who've passed. Rice and fruit are also a staple during such ceremonies.

To add a modern twist to the traditional holiday, Koreans also present gifts to families, friends, and acquaintances to show their thanks and appreciation. This includes customary gifts like high-quality cut beef, fruits, and sometimes even Spam.

Hangul Day marks the creation of the Korean alphabet by King Sejong the Great. North of the DMZ, aka the demilitarized zone. 

In North Korea, this day is also celebrated, but under a different name and date: Choson'gul Day on January 15th.

Before, Koreans wrote in classical Chinese, but King Sejong wanted to promote literacy among the common people, and thus, Hangul was born.

On this day, people attend public calligraphy showcases, watch performances, and get to read classical Korean literature.

Did any of these Korean holidays catch your eye? If so, let these dates guide you as you plan your next adventure. 

We 100% guarantee you'll experience the best culturally immersive trip of the year.