South Korea has a mix of traditional and modern holidays, with various celebrations that take place across the country. From national holidays, or red days, where workers get the day off like the Korean New Year, to the unofficial but fun holidays like Pepero Day, get ready to celebrate with Korea. Korean New Year: 설날 Seollal: 1st day of 1st lunar month Also called Seol (설) or Gujeong (Korean: 구정; Hanja: 舊正). The first day of the Lunar calendar. It is one of the most important of the traditional Korean holidays, and is considered a more important holiday than the Gregorian New Year's Day. [1] no no yes (3 days) Daeboreum Celebrating the New Year is a serious matter for Koreans. So much so that we often celebrate it twice a year – first on the Gregorian calendar New Year’s Day and second on the Lunar New Year’s Day. Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is one of the two most important holidays of the year along with Chuseok. Korea is rich in traditions and celebrations, with a vibrant calendar full of public holidays and unique special days. From historical commemorations to modern festivities, these Korean holidays and special days provide a fascinating glimpse into Korean culture and society. Read the article to learn more about some of Korea’s most important holidays and why they are unique. You can also learn more about Korean culture and history before your next holiday plan to South Korea! Date: January 1. The first holiday on our list is New Year’s Day, which falls on January 1 each year. Seollal (Korean: 설날; RR: Seollal; MR: Sŏllal) is a Korean traditional festival and national holiday commemorating the first day of the lunisolar calendar. [1] . It is one of the most important traditional holidays for ethnic Koreans, being celebrated in both North Korea and South Korea as well as Korean diaspora all around the world. [1][2] Seollal / Korean New Year. Seollal is one of the most important traditional Korean holidays as it celebrates the beginning of the Korean New Year. Korean New Year generally occurs in January or February on the second new moon after the winter solstice and typically falls on the same day as Chinese New Year. Chuseok – Korean Thanksgiving Note: Korea has introduced replacement holidays for New Year's Day (Seollal), Korean Thanksgiving Day (Chuseok) and Children's Day. If Seollal, Chuseok, or Children's Day fall on a weekend or other holiday, the first weekday in the following week will act as a substitute holiday. Discover the complete list of public holidays in Korea for 2024. Plan your year with all the key dates, including Lunar New Year, Chuseok, and Christmas. All information provided is subject to verification. South Korea does not have any special traditions for this day, and it’s usually enjoyed just as a generic day off work or school. Seollal is the Korean New Year. It lasts three days, and begins on the first day of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, usually in January/February. New Year's Day (January 1, 2025) Date: January 1, 2025; Significance: Like many countries worldwide, South Korea celebrates the Gregorian New Year. It is a time to bid farewell to the past year and welcome the new one with hope and ambition. Celebrations: People gather with family and friends, attend countdown parties, and enjoy fireworks What to Expect during Korean Lunar New Year. If your trip to South Korea coincides with Seollal, it’s best to stay as close to home base as possible during the holiday dates. These are days off for all Koreans, and there’s a mass exodus into and out of Seoul and other major cities, as people reunite with their families all over the country. This means “Receive lots of luck or blessings in the New Year.” Things to do over Korean Lunar New Year. If you want to experience a traditional Korean Lunar New Year, then your best bet would be to get invited to a Korean family’s house. If you’re lucky enough to get an invite, you should take them up on the offer! 10 February 2024 is Seollal (설날 - Korean Lunar New Year's Day), which is one of the important festivals in Korea. Seollal falls on the 1st day of the 1st month of the lunar calendar, and family members and relatives get together to celebrate. December 31st, New Year's Eve, holds a special significance in numerous cultures. In Korea, people also celebrate both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. In this post, I'll share what Koreans typically do on New Year's Eve. If you're interested in learning about New Year's Day, please click here to read my other free post! When is Korean Lunar New Year? Seollal doesn’t have a fixed date on the Gregorian calendar as it follows the lunar calendar. The first day of this lunar Calendar usually falls between late January and mid-February. In 2024 Seollal is on February 10th. For the upcoming years, the Korean New Year will be on the following dates: 설날 (seollal), the ”Lunar New Year Holiday,” is one of the most important holidays for native Koreans (the other one is Chuseok).It is a time when nearly everyone heads back to their 고향 (gohyang, hometown) to visit their 부모님 (bumonim, parents) and 친척 (chincheok, relatives) to celebrate the New Year, enjoy food, and to hold memorial ceremonies for their ancestors. (Also read: Happy New Year 2025 wishes: 30+ best images, quotes, greetings, SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook status to share with loved ones) 15 ways to say ‘Happy New Year’ around the world. 1. Korean Incorporating knowledge about food and customs related to how to say happy new year in Korean can be a fulfilling way to connect deeper with the culture. Conclusion: Mastering New Year Greetings in Korean. Understanding how to say happy new year in Korean involves much more than just learning the phrase. It When Is Seollal in 2025? In 2025, Seollal is on January 29, Wednesday. Seollal falls on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar. Because Koreans celebrate this holiday according to the lunar calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar changes every year.
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