Public holidays in Korea are times when you'll see traffic that makes you want to pull your hair out and accommodations that cost an arm and leg.
We don't recommend you come here during these times.
So if you are planning on travelling to Korea while avoiding crowds, traffic and sold-out transit tickets, take a look at our list of public holidays in year 2021 below!
Overview Of Public Holidays In Korea 2021
| Jan. 1 | New Year's Day | 신정 |
| Feb. 11-13 | Seollal | 설날 |
| Mar. 1 | Independence Movement Day | 삼일절 |
| May 5 | Children's Day | 어린이날 |
| May 19 | Buddha's Birthday | 부처님 오신 날 |
| Jun. 6 | Memorial Day | 현충일 |
| Aug. 15 | National Liberation Day Of Korea | 광복절 |
| Sep. 20-22 | Chuseok | 추석 |
| Oct. 3 | National Foundation Day | 개천절 |
| Oct. 9 | Hangul Day | 한글날 |
| Dec. 25 | Christmas | 크리스마스 |
Calendar Of Holidays In Korea
January 1: New Year's Weekend
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| 12/28 | 12/29 | 12/30 | 12/31 | 1/1 | 1/2 | 1/3 |
| Holidays | ||||||
Because January 1st falls on a Friday, there will be a total of 3 days off including the weekend.
February 11-14: Seollal
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| 2/8 | 2/9 | 2/10 | 2/11 | 2/12 | 2/13 | 2/14 |
| Holidays | ||||||
Seollal consists of 3 holidays. Unfortunately, the last day of Seollal falls on a Saturday, so there will be a total of 4 days off, instead of 5, including the weekend.
March 1: Independence Movement Day
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| 2/22 | 2/23 | 2/24 | 2/25 | 2/26 | 2/27 | 2/28 |
| Holidays | ||||||
| 3/1 | 3/2 | 3/3 | 3/4 | 3/5 | 3/6 | 3/7 |
| Holiday | ||||||
March 1st will be on Monday, so people get to enjoy a long weekend and have a late start to the following week.
May 5: Children's Day
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| 5/3 | 5/4 | 5/5 | 5/6 | 5/7 | 5/8 | 5/9 |
| Holiday |
No long weekend for children in Korea this year, but everyone will get to enjoy a relaxing hump day.
May 19: Buddha's Birthday
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| 5/17 | 5/18 | 5/19 | 5/20 | 5/21 | 5/22 | 5/23 |
| Holiday |
Another holiday on Wednesday is planned for mid-May in 2021!
June 6: Memorial Day
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| 5/31 | 6/1 | 6/2 | 6/3 | 6/4 | 6/5 | 6/6 |
| Holiday |
Memorial Day in 2021 falls on a Sunday. What a shame.
August 15: National Liberation Day Of Korea
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| 8/9 | 8/10 | 8/11 | 8/12 | 8/13 | 8/14 | 8/15 |
| Holiday |
Another holiday that falls on a Sunday.
September 20-22: Chuseok
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| 9/13 | 9/14 | 9/15 | 9/16 | 9/17 | 9/18 | 9/19 |
| Holidays | ||||||
| 9/20 | 9/21 | 9/22 | 5/20 | 5/21 | 5/22 | 5/23 |
| Holidays | ||||||
Including the weekend, there will be a total of 5 days off.
October 3: National Foundation Day
October 9: Hangul Day
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| 9/27 | 9/28 | 9/29 | 9/30 | 10/1 | 10/2 | 10/3 |
| Holiday | ||||||
| 10/4 | 10/5 | 10/6 | 10/7 | 10/8 | 10/9 | 10/10 |
| Holiday |
Two holidays in October, but both fall on weekends!
December 25: Christmas
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| 12/20 | 12/21 | 12/22 | 12/23 | 12/24 | 12/25 | 12/26 |
| Holiday |
Christmas in 2021 is on Saturday, so no extra holiday will be given.
