Korean National Holidays – An overview of all National Holidays in South KoreaNew Year's Day (January 1st) Referred to as Solar New Years by most Korean citizens.

Lunar New Year (First Day of the First Month by the Lunar Calendar) One of the most celebrated holidays in Korea (and east Asia). Visiting family, worshipping ancestors, eating traditional Korean dishes and taking part in century old traditions all come to life during this color national holiday.

Korean Independence Day (March 1st) Koreans observe the anniversary of the March 1, 1919 Independence Movement against Japanese rule.

Arbor Day (April 5th) On this day, government officials, teachers, school children and thousands of Koreans throughout the country plant trees in accordance with the government's reforestation program. Note: Not all Korean schools view Arbor Day as a true national holiday.

Children's Day (May 5th)This is the day that Korean parents spoil their children with gifts, treats, games and trips to theme parks, zoo’s and other prominent area’s that are of interest to younger children.

Budhha's Birthday (Eighth Day of the Fourth Month by the Lunar Calendar) Solemn rituals are held at Buddhist temples, and the day's festivities are climaxed by a number of famous lantern parades across the country.

Memorial Day (June 6th) On this day the nation pays tribute to its war dead. Memorial services are held at the National Cemetery in Seoul.

Constitution Day (July 17th) This day commemorates the adoption of the Republic of Korea Constitution in 1948. Note: As of 2008 Constitution Day is no longer a Korean national holiday. Korea will continue to celebrate this day but government offices, schools and private businesses will remain open.

Liberation Day (August 15th) In 1945, Korea was liberated from Japan after 35 years of colonial rule. The day also marks the 1948 establishment of the government of the Republic of Korea.

Harvest Moon Festival – a.k.a Korean Thanks Giving (14th through the 16th of the Eighth Month of the Lunar Calendar) The most important national holiday of the year. During these 3 days Korean’s gather with family members to honor their deceased ancestors, clean off their ancestors tombs, give food and drink offerings, and pray.

National Foundation Day (October 3rd) This day marks the founding of Korea by Tan-gun (God-King) in 2333 B.C. Korean’s celebrate over 4000 years of history during this holiday.

Christmas Day (December 25th) Christians and other citizens celebrate this holy day as in the West.

Holidays 

Korean New Years 

There are actually two Korean New Years. This is because Koreans go by two calenders; one being the same people use in the West, and the other being the lunar calender.

The Korean New Years based on the Western calender is similar to our New Years in the United States. It is a big national holiday in Korea as well, and occurs on January 1st just like it does here. During this holiday, many relatives get together to share time together and talk. In Korea, there are some old traditions that some people will still follow. One is to visit the oldest member of the family and bow toward them to show respect and to wish them a long life (this would occur on New Years Eve). The following day on January 1st people will pay respect to ancestors by offering food and wine. This ceremony is called Jaesa. At the beginning of the ceremony, the names of the ancestors are pinned to a board. The oldest family members bows and offers the wine to the ancestors who have passed away. Then, the names are burned. Later in the day, relatives talk about old times and eat food. The traditional food usually eaten on New Years Day is Duk Gook, a type of soup. Kimchi is always present.

The other New Years Day is the Lunar New Years. It is usually around February. People wear the traditional clothes called Hanbok. It also is a day relatives may get together. People will exchange gifts, and the children will definitely be happy because they are usually given money on Lunar New Years. Sometimes the Lunar New Years and the Solar New Years are pretty common and involve similar traditions. The main idea behind it all is to wish everyone a happy new year, good luck in the new year, same as everywhere else in the world, as well as pay respect to those who have passed away.

If you plan on visiting Korea during either of these times, book ahead!

Independence Day 

Similar to our July 4th Independence Day, the Korean Independence Day represents when Koreans declared themselves independent from Japanese rule. It is on March 1st every year, and began in 1919 when the declared themselves independent from Japanese rule. Japan had taken over Korea in 1910. For the next 9 years, Koreans would live a hard life under Japanese control. Since they declared independence, every year they proudly stand for their independence from all foreign rule, just as we do here in America on July 4th.

Chuseok 

Chuseok is the same as our "harvest moon." It takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month going by the lunar calendar. It is a day where the full moon appears larger and may look orange. This holiday is celebrated in many asian countries.

Christmas 

Since Christianity took hold in Korea, Christmas has been a growing holiday there as well. It is a little different than here in the west though. Many young people will use Christmas as a day to go out and party and then will spend New Years with their family, which is just the opposite of many Western families.

Children's Day 

I just thought I would list this holiday because it is a holiday that should be introduced everywhere! On Children's Day, May 5th of every year, children are given money for free and taken on outings.

Hangul Day 

Hangul Day, also known as Hangul Proclamation Day and Korean Alphabet Day, is on October 9th in South Korea and January 15th in North Korea. It is just a day to celebrate the creation of the language!

Valentines Day, White Day, and Black Day

All of these are related! 

Valentines Day is on February 14th, as it is here. On Valentines Day, girls will give chocolates and other gifts to the guys. It is similar to our Valentines Day but is more one-sided.

So, what should be done? White Day was created. On White Day, one month later on March 14th, guys will give more expensive chocolates and gifts to the girls. These chocolates come in white boxes. This way it isn't so one-sided!

But what about the people who feel left out on those days because they have nobody to give chocolates to? That is what Black Day is for! On Black Day, another month later on April 14th, people who have nobody all get together with their friends and eat JaJang Noodles, which are black in color. It is not as popular as Valentines Day and White Day, but it is still celebrated by some people!