South Korea Public Holidays 2026
In 2026, South Korea has 22 days off for public holidays (including substitute days) and 3 other observances that are not days off. There are 10 breaks of three days or more; the longest is 5 days for Chinese New Year (Sat, Feb 14 – Wed, Feb 18).
- Days off
- 22
- Substitute days
- 5
- Long weekends
- 10
Public holidays
| Date | Holiday | Local name | Type | Lunar date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jan 1 | New Year's Day | 신정 | Holiday | L11/13 |
| Mon, Feb 16 | Chinese New Year | 설날 | Holiday | L12/29 |
| Tue, Feb 17 | Chinese New Year | 설날 | Holiday | L1/1 |
| Wed, Feb 18 | Chinese New Year | 설날 | Holiday | L1/2 |
| Sun, Mar 1 | Independence Movement Day | 삼일절 | Holiday | L1/13 |
| Mon, Mar 2 | Substitute holiday | 대체공휴일 | Observed | L1/14 |
| Fri, May 1 | Labor Day | 노동절 | Holiday | L3/15 |
| Tue, May 5 | Children's Day | 어린이날 | Holiday | L3/19 |
| Sun, May 24 | Buddha's Birthday | 부처님오신날 | Holiday | L4/8 |
| Mon, May 25 | Substitute holiday | 대체공휴일 | Observed | L4/9 |
| Wed, Jun 3 | Local Election Day | Observed | L4/18 | |
| Sat, Jun 6 | Memorial Day | 현충일 | Holiday | L4/21 |
| Fri, Jul 17 | Constitution Day | 제헌절 | Holiday | L6/4 |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Retrocession Day | 광복절 | Holiday | L7/3 |
| Mon, Aug 17 | Substitute holiday | 대체공휴일 | Observed | L7/5 |
| Thu, Sep 24 | Mid-Autumn Festival | 추석 | Holiday | L8/14 |
| Fri, Sep 25 | Mid-Autumn Festival | 추석 | Holiday | L8/15 |
| Sat, Sep 26 | Mid-Autumn Festival | 추석 | Holiday | L8/16 |
| Sat, Oct 3 | National Foundation Day | 개천절 | Holiday | L8/23 |
| Mon, Oct 5 | Substitute holiday | 대체공휴일 | Observed | L8/25 |
| Fri, Oct 9 | Hangul Day | 한글날 | Holiday | L8/29 |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Christmas Day | 성탄절 | Holiday | L11/17 |
Long weekends
| Period | Days | Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Feb 14 – Wed, Feb 18 | 5 | Chinese New Year |
| Sat, Feb 28 – Mon, Mar 2 | 3 | Independence Movement Day, Substitute holiday |
| Fri, May 1 – Sun, May 3 | 3 | Labor Day |
| Sat, May 23 – Mon, May 25 | 3 | Buddha's Birthday, Substitute holiday |
| Fri, Jul 17 – Sun, Jul 19 | 3 | Constitution Day |
| Sat, Aug 15 – Mon, Aug 17 | 3 | Retrocession Day, Substitute holiday |
| Thu, Sep 24 – Sun, Sep 27 | 4 | Mid-Autumn Festival |
| Sat, Oct 3 – Mon, Oct 5 | 3 | National Foundation Day, Substitute holiday |
| Fri, Oct 9 – Sun, Oct 11 | 3 | Hangul Day |
| Fri, Dec 25 – Sun, Dec 27 | 3 | Christmas Day |
Other observances (not days off)
| Date | Holiday | Lunar date |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Mar 3 | Lantern Festival | L1/15 |
| Fri, May 8 | Parents' Day | L3/22 |
| Fri, May 15 | Teachers' Day | L3/29 |
How the holidays work
Korea’s public holidays are set by the Regulations on Holidays of Government Offices. Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok each last three days, and when these or holidays such as Independence Movement Day, Children’s Day, Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, Hangul Day, Buddha’s Birthday or Christmas overlap a weekend or another holiday, a substitute holiday is designated.
Presidential and National Assembly election days are also public holidays, and the government occasionally designates extra temporary holidays.
Holidays are calculated from current law and announced arrangements and are for reference only; the local government’s announcement is authoritative. Select a date to open it in the calendar.
2026 month by month
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec · 2026 Chinese almanac
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