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Public Holidays in South Korea 2026

18 public and regional holidays observed across South Korea in 2026.

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South Korea's holiday calendar runs on a dual system, mixing the solar calendar for civic holidays like Constitution Day and Liberation Day with the lunar calendar for its two biggest family holidays, Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok — both observed as three-day breaks. When a lunar holiday would otherwise clash with another day off, South Korea uses a substitute holiday system to guarantee workers still get the extra day. Below is the complete 2026 calendar.

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Full 2026 Calendar
DateDayHolidayObserved
January 1, 2026 Thursday 새해New Year's Day National
February 16, 2026 Monday 설날Lunar New Year National
February 17, 2026 Tuesday 설날Lunar New Year National
February 18, 2026 Wednesday 설날Lunar New Year National
March 2, 2026 Monday 3·1절Independence Movement Day National
May 1, 2026 Friday 노동절Labour Day National
May 5, 2026 Tuesday 어린이날Children's Day National
May 25, 2026 Monday 부처님 오신 날Buddha's Birthday National
June 3, 2026 Wednesday 지방 선거일Local Election Day National
June 6, 2026 Saturday 현충일Memorial Day National
July 17, 2026 Friday 제헌절Constitution Day National
August 17, 2026 Monday 광복절Liberation Day National
September 24, 2026 Thursday 추석Chuseok National
September 25, 2026 Friday 추석Chuseok National
September 26, 2026 Saturday 추석Chuseok National
October 5, 2026 Monday 개천절National Foundation Day National
October 9, 2026 Friday 한글날Hangul Day National
December 25, 2026 Friday 크리스마스Christmas Day National
What Each Holiday Means
January 1, 2026Thursday
새해
The first day of the Gregorian calendar year, marked with fireworks, family gatherings, and a fresh start after the festive season.
February 16, 2026Monday
설날
Korea's biggest family holiday, known as Seollal, observed as a three-day break with ancestral rites and family gatherings.
February 17, 2026Tuesday
설날
Korea's biggest family holiday, known as Seollal, observed as a three-day break with ancestral rites and family gatherings.
February 18, 2026Wednesday
설날
Korea's biggest family holiday, known as Seollal, observed as a three-day break with ancestral rites and family gatherings.
March 2, 2026Monday
3·1절
Commemorates the 1919 movement against Japanese colonial rule.
May 1, 2026Friday
노동절
Honours workers and the labour movement, held nationwide on 1 May.
May 5, 2026Tuesday
어린이날
A day celebrating children's happiness, marked with family outings and gifts.
May 25, 2026Monday
부처님 오신 날
Celebrates the birth of Buddha with lantern parades and temple visits.
June 3, 2026Wednesday
지방 선거일
A nationwide public holiday held so citizens can vote in local government elections.
June 6, 2026Saturday
현충일
Honours Korean soldiers and civilians who died in war, marked with a moment of silence at 10am.
July 17, 2026Friday
제헌절
Marks the anniversary of South Korea's constitution, adopted in 1948.
August 17, 2026Monday
광복절
Commemorates Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.
September 24, 2026Thursday
추석
One of Korea's most important holidays, a three-day harvest festival where families gather to honour their ancestors.
September 25, 2026Friday
추석
One of Korea's most important holidays, a three-day harvest festival where families gather to honour their ancestors.
September 26, 2026Saturday
추석
One of Korea's most important holidays, a three-day harvest festival where families gather to honour their ancestors.
October 5, 2026Monday
개천절
Commemorates the legendary founding of Korea by Dangun in 2333 BC.
October 9, 2026Friday
한글날
Celebrates the creation of the Korean alphabet, Hangul, in 1446.
December 25, 2026Friday
크리스마스
The Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, a public holiday reflecting Korea's sizeable Christian population.

Holiday dates sourced from the Nager.Date public holiday API and cross-checked annually. Regional and subnational holidays may not apply to every worker in South Korea — always confirm with your employer or local authority for time-off purposes.