Korean Holidays Explained
Seollal (Lunar New Year)
In 2026: Tue, February 17Public holiday
Follows the lunar calendar, so the solar date changes every year.
See the 2026 holiday calendar →Where it comes from
The first day of the lunar year and one of Korea's two biggest holidays, with a three-day break.
What people do
Families gather, hold ancestral rites (charye), and children bow deeply to elders (sebae) and receive pocket money (sebaetdon).
What people eat
Tteokguk, sliced rice-cake soup — eating a bowl means turning a year older.
What to say
새해 복 많이 받으세요.saehae bok mani badeuseyo.Happy New Year (literally, receive lots of luck).