Ever wondered how South Koreans celebrate their most meaningful holidays? You’re not alone; many are curious about holiday traditions in Korea and their modern twists that define Korean festivals.
Whether you’re a traveler, a language learner, or just curious about world cultures, you’ll discover you’re the hero on a travel to cultural connection.
Guided by this article, you’ll explore:
- National holidays that shape modern Korea
- Traditional celebrations rooted in ancestral values
- Christmas, Korean-style
Keep reading and unlock the beauty of Korea’s festive soul; one celebration at a time.
Korean National Holidays
South Korea has many holidays. These holidays show Korean culture, religion, and history. Some holidays use the solar calendar. These include New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, and Constitution Day. They are about the country and its past.
Other holidays follow the lunar calendar. Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) are two big ones. On these days, families come together. They do old family customs and eat special food. These are very important holidays in Korea.
Korea also has other special days. These include Children’s Day, Hangul Day, and Buddha’s Birthday. Each one is different and fun. These holidays show how special and lively Korea is.
Do you want to learn more? Keep reading to find out the stories and customs behind Korea’s holidays.
See Also Korean Greetings
1. Seollal: Lunar New Year’s Day
Seollal, also known as Korean Lunar New Year, is a major holiday in South Korea that marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. It usually takes place between late January and mid-February and lasts for three days; before, during, and after the New Year’s Day itself.
While it shares similarities with other Lunar New Year celebrations in Asia, such as in China and Vietnam, Seollal is deeply rooted in Korean customs centered around respect for ancestors, family unity, and tradition.
During Seollal, families return to their hometowns, perform ancestral rites called charye, wear traditional hanbok, and bow to elders in a ceremony known as sebae, receiving words of wisdom and money in return.
Traditional foods are a key part of the holiday, with dishes like tteokguk (rice cake soup) symbolizing a fresh start and turning a year older. Families also enjoy jeon (savory pancakes) and japchae (stir-fried noodles). After formalities, everyone gathers to play games like yutnori and jegichagi, bringing fun and togetherness to the celebration.
While modern day Seollal has developed with simpler customs and some opting for modern clothes, the heart of the holiday; honoring ancestors, cherishing family, and welcoming a prosperous new year, remains strong.
2. Chuseok : Korean Thanksgiving Day
Chuseok, also called Hangawi, is one of the most important holidays in Korea. It is on the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar. This is usually in late September or early October.
Chuseok is a time to say thank you for the food from the year. Families come together. Many people travel to their hometowns. They remember their ancestors. They do special things like charye (family ceremonies) and seongmyo (cleaning graves).
A big part of Chuseok is making and eating traditional food. One special food is songpyeon. It is a rice cake with sweet things inside like sesame or chestnuts. It is steamed on pine needles.
People also play games and watch dances like ganggangsullae. They give gifts such as fruit, meat, or gift boxes with things like Spam. Stores are full of these holiday items. In 2024, Chuseok will be from September 14 to 18. It is a happy time for families and a great way to see Korean culture.
3. Hansik: Eating Cold Food Day
Hansik, also known as the “Cold Food Day,” is one of Korea’s four major traditional holidays, observed on the 105th day after the winter solstice; typically April 5th. Historically, it involved eating only cold food due to ancient customs that forbade lighting fires.
While that practice has mostly faded, the holiday remains deeply rooted in honoring ancestors.
Families visit ancestral graves for seongmyo, where they clean the tombs and perform memorial rituals to show respect and remembrance for their departed loved ones.
Hansik also signals the arrival of spring and the beginning of the farming season in Korea. It often coincides with Arbor Day, making it a time when people plant trees and reconnect with nature.
Though the tradition of eating only cold food has diminished, many families still prepare cold dishes like rice, fruits, rice cakes, and side dishes ahead of time.
Hansik continues to be a meaningful day of family gathering, reflection, and renewal tied to both nature and heritage.
4. Dano: Spring Festival
Dano, also known as Surit-nal, is one of Korea’s major traditional holidays, celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. Marking the end of spring and the arrival of summer, Dano is rooted in ancient agricultural rituals and spiritual practices.
Traditionally, people performed rites to wish for a good harvest after planting crops.
It’s also a time when people enjoyed nature’s energy through folk games like swinging for women, ssireum (wrestling) for men, mask dances, and martial arts like taekkyon. The Gangneung Dano Festival, recognized by UNESCO, is a dynamic celebration of these traditions.
Women would wash their hair with sweet flag (changpo) water to make it shiny and fragrant, and wear herbs and flowers believed to ward off evil. Men wore iris roots around their waists for protection, and people dyed hairpins red using iris root.
Foods like surichitteok and ssuktteok (herb rice cakes) were made from seasonal ingredients. Dano also appears in Korean art and literature, such as Shin Yun-bok’s paintings and the classic love story The Tale of Chunhyang, reflecting its deep cultural roots and enduring importance in Korean life.
Christmas in Korea
Christmas in Korea is a unique blend of Western influences and local traditions, but with a twist. Unlike many countries where Christmas is a family-centered holiday, in Korea it’s often celebrated more like Valentine’s Day.
Couples enjoy romantic dinners, exchange small gifts, and stroll under festive lights in places like Myeongdong or theme parks like Lotte World.
While Christmas is a national holiday and many people get the day off, the focus is less on big family meals or religious observance (except for the Christian community, who may attend church services) and more on creating special memories with loved ones.
Holiday decorations, romantic getaways, and K-pop carols set the mood in Korea. Streets are lit with stunning Christmas displays, cafes serve seasonal cakes, and popular treats like hotteok and bungeoppang fill the air with sweet scents.
Some families do put up Christmas trees, and gift-giving between close friends or couples is common, though usually modest.
Overall, Christmas in Korea feels cheerful, cozy, and uniquely Korean; more about shared experiences and warm vibes than lavish traditions. Keep reading to discover more traditions, foods, and fun experiences that make Christmas in Korea truly special!
5. Christmas Food in Korea
In Korea, Christmas food is about love and sharing with family and friends. People eat both Korean and Western food. Some popular dishes are bulgogi (sweet beef), japchae (noodles with vegetables), and tteokguk (rice cake soup). These foods are warm and good for cold winter days. They also mean luck and happiness.
Sweet foods are also important at Christmas. People enjoy bungeoppang (fish-shaped bread with red bean), hotteok (sweet pancakes), and yakgwa (honey cookies). For a nice ending, they eat steamed rice cakes with fruit. They also drink warm drinks like yuzu tea and cinnamon punch. These tasty foods bring everyone together.
See Also Korean Culture vs Chinese Culture
6. Korean Christmas Trees
In South Korea, Christmas trees are not as widespread in homes as they are in the West, but they are still part of the festive spirit; especially in public spaces. Malls and city centers like Seoul often display large, beautifully lit Christmas trees during the season, creating a joyful and dynamic atmosphere.
While some families do set up trees at home, it’s more of a personal choice than a national tradition. Instead of classic Western decorations, Koreans might opt for ornaments that reflect their culture, like miniature silk slippers or drums.
One tree native to Korea that’s gaining popularity as a Christmas tree is the Korean Fir (Abies Koreana). Known for its deep green needles with a silver underside, conical shape, and pleasant fragrance, this tree has excellent needle retention and is sturdy enough to hold heavier ornaments.
However, it grows slowly and is relatively rare, making it a special; and sometimes expensive, choice.
7. Christmas Activities in Korea
Christmas in South Korea is filled with festive activities, from dazzling city light shows to romantic nights out. Cities like Seoul glow with decorations, especially at places like Myeongdong Cathedral and CoEx Mall, while couples stroll through Christmas markets or enjoy theme park parades at Lotte World and Everland.
For many young couples, it’s a romantic occasion, perfect for gift-giving and capturing Instagram-worthy moments. Families often head to indoor markets or winter resorts for skiing and snowboarding, making it a truly diverse celebration.
Kids and families can find joy at places like Walkerhill Hotels or through magical parades at theme parks, while shoppers flock to districts like Gangnam for late-night Christmas deals. For a peaceful touch, some Koreans even visit temples like Bongeunsa during the holiday, especially when snow falls.
From snowy fun to sparkling lights and sponge cake treats, Korea’s Christmas is full of unique charm.
Korean Traditional Festivals
South Korea has many old and special festivals. These festivals show the country’s love for family, nature, and traditions. Some big holidays are Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Thanksgiving). People remember their ancestors, wear hanbok (traditional clothes), and eat special foods like rice cakes.
Other festivals like Hansik, Samjinnal, and Dano follow the seasons. People enjoy fun games, clean their hair, or watch wrestling. During Buddha’s Birthday and the Lotus Lantern Festival, people light pretty lanterns and join in big parades.
Some festivals are very unique. Yongdeungje is a wind god festival in Jeju. Boryeong Mud Festival is full of fun and mud games. Each festival has its own story and meaning. If you want to know more, there are many fun and interesting festivals to explore in Korea. They show the beautiful spirit of Korean culture.
8. Gangneung Danoje
The Gangneung Danoje Festival is a lively and deeply rooted cultural event held annually in Gangneung, South Korea, to celebrate the Korean holiday of Dano. Spanning 47 days from the third to the fifth lunar month, this festival blends tradition, spirituality, and community spirit.
Recognized as both a National Intangible Cultural Heritage and listed by UNESCO, the festival shows shamanistic rituals, mask dramas like the Gwanno Mask Drama, and traditional games such as Korean wrestling and swing riding. These activities reflect Korea’s rich folklore and longstanding customs.
One of the festival’s core purposes is to honor mountain deities through sacred rituals performed on the Daegwallyeong Ridge, emphasizing harmony between humans and nature.
The colorful costume parades, traditional food stalls, and hands-on cultural activities such as fan-making and sacred liquor brewing invite both locals and visitors to participate.
More than just a celebration, Gangneung Danoje developss cultural pride, social unity, and the preservation of Korean heritage, making it a cherished and meaningful event for generations.
9. Daeboreum
Daeboreum, also called Jeongwol Daeboreum, is a lively Korean festival that celebrates the first full moon of the lunar new year. Falling on the 15th day of the first lunar month, it symbolizes new beginnings, health, and prosperity.
Koreans celebrate by watching the moon rise and making heartfelt wishes for the year ahead. Traditional customs include lighting huge bonfires called daljip, which are believed to drive away bad luck, and performing rituals like jisinbalgi; a foot-stomping ceremony to scare off evil spirits.
Children enjoy the fiery jwibulnori game, where they swing fire-filled cans to bless crops and enjoy playful excitement.
Food plays a central role during Daeboreum. Families start the day with ogokbap (five-grain rice) and namul (dried vegetables), symbolizing health and balance. Cracking assorted nuts (bureom) is a fun tradition believed to bring strong teeth and good fortune.
People also drink gwibalgisul, or “ear-sharpening wine,” to ensure they only hear good news throughout the year. Other special treats include injeolmi (rice cakes) and yaksik (sweet rice with nuts and fruits). Together, these joyful customs create a festival filled with warmth, family, firelight, and hope.
10. Yeongdeungje
The Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival is a beloved seasonal event held every spring in Yeouido Park, Seoul. Though it is not a traditional Korean festival like Seollal or Chuseok, it has become a modern cultural celebration known for its breathtaking cherry blossom displays.
Over 1,600 Yoshino cherry trees from Jeju, along with thousands of other spring flowers like azaleas and forsythias, bloom beautifully along the Han River. The festival draws locals and tourists alike, offering a scenic walk along Yunjung-ro and a joyful springtime atmosphere.
In addition to the natural beauty, the festival includes the VIAF (Various Integrative Artistic Festival), which features live performances such as dance, theater, and mime among the blossoms.
Yeongdeungpo, primarily recognized as a busy business and residential district, transforms into a hub of color and culture during this event.
While it may not hold historical roots like Korea’s traditional holidays, the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival has grown into a cherished spring tradition for many in Seoul.
Holiday Traditions in Korea: A Recap
Korea’s holiday traditions beautifully weave together ancestral respect, seasonal change, and cultural celebration. From family-centered gatherings like Seollal and Chuseok, to nature-focused rituals like Hansik and Dano, each occasion reflects the country’s deep-rooted values.
Even modern holidays like Christmas take on a unique flavor in Korea, blending romance, tradition, and local charm.
Whether it’s honoring the past or welcoming joy in the present, Korean holidays offer meaningful insights into the nation’s identity; one rich in history, heritage, and heartfelt connection.