Seollal 2026
Seollal (설날), the Korean Lunar New Year, is South Korea’s biggest winter holiday. In 2026 the three-day public holiday runs Monday 16 February through Wednesday 18 February, with Lunar New Year’s Day itself on 17 February. There is no substitute holiday, because none of the three days falls on a Sunday — but the prior weekend turns it into a five-day break (14–18 Feb).
Dates in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 16 – 18 | Monday – | Seollal (Lunar New Year)New Year's Eve, the day itself (Feb 17) and the day after. No substitute as none falls on a Sunday.Public holiday | Public holiday |
What happens during Seollal
Families travel to hometowns for charye ancestral rites, sebae (New Year bows) and tteokguk rice-cake soup. Highways, KTX trains and intercity buses are heavily booked before and after the holiday, and many shops, banks and restaurants in Seoul close or shorten hours.
If you are visiting Korea, book KTX and intercity buses weeks ahead. Our South Korea 2026 page shows how the prior weekend extends Seollal into a five-day stretch, and the substitute-holiday page explains why no in-lieu day is added this year.
Official sources & data
- 관공서의 공휴일에 관한 규정 (Regulations on Holidays of Public Offices), Presidential Decree No. 36290, in force 11 May 2026Visit sourceMinistry of Government Legislation, Republic of Korea (National Law Information Center)
- 올해부터 노동절, 제헌절 공휴일로 (Labour Day and Constitution Day become public holidays this year)Visit sourceMinistry of Personnel Management, Republic of Korea
- 관공서의 공휴일에 관한 규정 — 제정·개정이유 (amendment history and rationale)Visit sourceMinistry of Government Legislation, Republic of Korea (National Law Information Center)
- Extra long weekend in July, as Constitution Day reinstated as public holidayVisit sourceThe Korea Herald
Frequently asked questions
When is Seollal 2026?+
The public holiday is 16–18 February 2026 (Monday to Wednesday). Lunar New Year’s Day itself is 17 February.
How many days is the Seollal 2026 holiday?+
Three public holiday days (16–18 Feb). With the weekend of 14–15 February right before, most workers get a five-day break from 14 to 18 February.
Is there a substitute holiday for Seollal 2026?+
No. South Korea’s substitute-holiday rule for Seollal applies only when one of its days overlaps a Sunday or another public holiday. In 2026 the three days are Mon–Wed, so no in-lieu day is added.
How is Seollal different from Chuseok?+
Both are three-day lunar-calendar family holidays. Seollal is the Lunar New Year in winter; Chuseok is the autumn harvest thanksgiving. Seollal 2026 is 16–18 Feb; Chuseok 2026 is 24–26 Sep.
Should I travel to Korea during Seollal 2026?+
Palaces and museums often open free and run cultural events, but expect packed transport and many closed businesses in cities. Book trains, buses and rental cars well in advance.