Korean Public Holidays 2026
South Korea has 13 official public holidays in 2026. 7 fall on a weekend, resulting in 4 substitute holidays: March 2nd, May 25th, August 17th, October 5th. A total of 15 days off from work. We listed 10 long weekends worth planning around below.
Here's the full list, plus the long weekends worth knowing about before you book anything.
Public Holidays
| 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 1st | Friday | Workers Day |
| 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 |
| July 17th | Friday | Constitution Day |
| August 15th | Saturday | Liberation Day |
| August 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.
It's worth knowing that not all holidays trigger a substitute day. The system mainly applies to the bigger national holidays.
Chuseok and Seollal only get a substitute holiday if 1 of the 3 days falls on a Sunday.
In some years, Buddha's Birthday falls on May 5. The same day as Children's Day. Both are public holidays. In this case the next available non-holiday weekday becomes a substitute holiday.
| Date | Day of the Week | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| March 2nd | Monday | March 1st Movement Day Substitute Holiday |
| May 25th | Monday | Buddha's Birthday Substitute Holiday |
| August 17th | Monday | Liberation Day Substitute Holiday |
| October 5th | Monday | National Foundation Day Substitute Holiday |
Long Weekends
| Holiday | Dates | Length of Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Seollal | February 14th - 18th | 5-day weekend |
| March 1st Movement Day | February 28th - March 2nd | 3-day weekend |
| Workers Day | May 1st - 3rd | 3-day weekend |
| Buddha's Birthday | May 23rd - 25th | 3-day weekend |
| Constitution Day | July 17th - 19th | 3-day weekend |
| Liberation Day | August 15th - 17th | 3-day weekend |
| Chuseok | September 24th - 27th | 4-day weekend |
| National Foundation Day | October 3rd - 5th | 3-day weekend |
| Hangeul Day | October 9th - 11th | 3-day weekend |
| Christmas Day | December 25th - 27th | 3-day weekend |
