Korean Public Holidays 2026
1 minute read
Korea has 11 official public holidays in 2026. Thanks to substitute holidays, that becomes 15 actual days off, and a few of them stack up in a way that's worth planning around.
Here's the full list, plus the long weekends worth knowing about before you book anything.
| Date | Day of the Week | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| January 1st | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| February 16th - 18th | Monday - Wednesday | Seollal |
| March 1st | Sunday | March 1st Movement Day |
| March 2nd | Monday | March 1st Movement Day Substitute Holiday |
| May 5th | Tuesday | Children's Day |
| May 24th | Sunday | Buddha's Birthday |
| May 25th | Monday | Buddha's Birthday Substitute Holiday |
| June 6th | Saturday | Memorial Day |
| Augustus 15th | Saturday | Liberation Day |
| Augustus 17th | Monday | Liberation Day Substitute Holiday |
| September 24th - 27th | Thursday - Sunday | Chuseok |
| October 3rd | Saturday | National Foundation Day |
| October 5th | Monday | National Foundation Day Substitute Holiday |
| October 9th | Friday | Hangeul Day |
| December 25th | Friday | Christmas Day |
Substitute Holidays
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday becomes an official day off instead. Korea calls this a 대체공휴일 (daechegonghyuil), a substitute holiday.
In 2026, four holidays fall on weekends, so you get four substitute Mondays: March 2, May 25, August 17, and October 5.
It's worth knowing that not all holidays trigger a substitute day. Memorial Day (June 6) falls on a Saturday in 2026 and does not get a substitute. The system mainly applies to the bigger national holidays.
Substitute Holiday List
| Date | Day of the Week | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| March 2nd | Monday | March 1st Movement Day Substitute Holiday |
| May 25th | Monday | Buddha's Birthday Substitute Holiday |
| Augustus 17th | Monday | Liberation Day Substitute Holiday |
| October 5th | Monday | National Foundation Day Substitute Holiday |
The Long Weekends Worth Planning Around
| Holiday | Dates | Length of Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Seollal | February 14–18 | 5-day weekend |
| March 1 Movement Day | February 28–March 2 | 3-day weekend |
| Buddha's Birthday | May 23–25 | 3-day weekend |
| Liberation Day | August 15–17 | 3-day weekend |
| Chuseok | September 24–27 | 4-day weekend |
| Christmas | December 25-27 | 3-day weekend |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holidays does Korea have in 2026?
Korea has 15 official public holidays. 11 holidays fall during weekdays and 4 substitute holidays are added for holidays that fall on weekends. A total of 15 days off.
What is a substitute holiday in Korea?
A substitute holiday (daechegonghyuil) is a replacement day off given when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The following Monday becomes the substitute day off. In 2026, substitute holidays fall on March 2, May 25, August 17, and October 5.
Does Memorial Day get a substitute holiday in 2026?
No. Memorial Day falls on Saturday June 6 but does not receive a substitute holiday. The substitute holiday system doesn't apply to all public holidays equally.
What is the longest holiday period in 2026?
Seollal (Lunar New Year) running February 16–18 combined with the preceding weekend gives you five consecutive days off from February 14–18. Chuseok runs September 24–27, and the public holidays in early October create additional days off nearby.
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