National Holidays

Koreans previously followed the lunar calendar, but in recent history, they have followed the solar calendar in line with international practice. While public holidays are based on the solar calendar, there are a few days that are celebrated based on the lunar calendar. These are the most important traditional holidays like New Year’s Day (the first day of the first lunar month), Chuseok mid-autumn festival (fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month), and Buddha’s Birthday (eighth day of the fourth lunar month).
In general, museums, galleries, royal palaces, and other major tourist attractions close only on a certain day of the week, regardless of public holidays. Some department stores and large marts are closed on Lunar New Year’s Day and Chuseok Day, but are opened on the days before and after, in addition to other public holidays. Each location has varying policies on days off, so be sure to double check the operation hours of any location you plan to visit on a public holiday.