Korean Public Holidays 2027 for Travellers: What Closes and When

Short answer: Korea has around 15 public holidays a year, but only two of them really change a trip: Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (the autumn harvest festival). During those three-day breaks many family-run restaurants, traditional markets and some shops close, trains and buses sell out, and roads out of Seoul jam. On the other single-day holidays, almost everything tourists use stays open — palaces, malls, cafes and the subway run as normal, just busier. If you are planning a 2027 trip, the dates to watch are 6–9 February (Seollal) and 14–16 September (Chuseok).

This guide lists the 2027 holidays, explains what typically closes on each kind of day, and gives a few simple ways to plan around them. Dates come from the published 2027 calendar, but Korea occasionally adds a one-off "temporary holiday", so always double-check close to your trip.

Korean public holidays in 2027 at a glance

A few notes on the table. Constitution Day is returning as a public day off in 2027 after many years as a non-holiday commemoration. Substitute holidays mean that when certain holidays land on a weekend, the following weekday becomes a day off — so a "Saturday" holiday still creates a long weekend, and domestic travel spikes. Election days and any government-announced temporary holidays can be added during the year. For the official list, check the Korean government's announcements or the Visit Korea website before you book.

Seollal and Chuseok: the two holidays that really matter

Seollal and Chuseok are family holidays. Millions of people travel to their hometowns, visit graves, hold ancestral rites and eat together. For a visitor this has three practical effects.

1. Some businesses close, mostly on the main day

The busiest closures fall on the day itself (in 2027: 7 February for Seollal, 15 September for Chuseok) and sometimes the day before or after. Small family restaurants, traditional markets such as Gwangjang or Namdaemun, and some local shops may shut for one to three days. Banks and government offices close. Hospitals run reduced services, though emergency rooms stay open.

2. Big tourist spots usually stay open

Large department stores and malls usually close for one day around the main holiday and reopen quickly. Major palaces often stay open during the holidays and sometimes run special events such as traditional games and performances — but closure days vary by site, so check each one. Convenience stores, chain cafes, fast food, most hotels and the Seoul subway keep running. Big theme parks such as Lotte World and Everland generally open and can be crowded with families.

3. Transport sells out

KTX and intercity bus seats for the holiday period sell out very quickly, often within hours of booking opening. Highways out of Seoul can take double or triple the usual time on the first days, and the return trip on the last day is just as slow. If you want to travel between cities during Seollal or Chuseok, book as early as booking allows, or travel against the flow — for example, stay in Seoul, which actually becomes quieter as residents leave.

For more detail on each festival, see our guides to Seollal for visitors and Chuseok for visitors.

What one-day holidays mean for your trip

Holidays like Independence Movement Day, Liberation Day or Hangeul Day have a ceremonial meaning, but day-to-day life barely changes for tourists. Expect:

• More people at palaces, Namsan, Hangang parks, malls and popular cafes, because locals have the day off.
• Normal opening for most restaurants, shops and attractions.
• Busier trains and buses on long weekends, especially to Busan, Gangneung, Jeju and other leisure destinations.
• Closed banks and post offices. ATMs at convenience stores still work.

Children's Day (5 May) deserves its own warning: amusement parks, zoos, aquariums and kids' museums are at their busiest of the year. If you are not travelling with children, it is a good day for something else.

Buddha's Birthday is the opposite — a reason to plan a visit. In the weeks before, temples such as Jogyesa in central Seoul hang thousands of colourful lotus lanterns, and the Lotus Lantern Festival parade usually takes place on a weekend before the holiday. Dates change each year, so check the festival's official site.

Weekly closing days to know as well

Holidays are not the only closures. Many Korean museums and palaces close on one regular day each week. For example, Gyeongbokgung is usually closed on Tuesdays, while Changdeokgung and Deoksugung are usually closed on Mondays. Large supermarkets in many districts close two Sundays a month. When a holiday falls on a site's regular closing day, some sites open anyway and close another day instead. The simplest habit: check the official website of anything important the evening before.

How to plan a trip around Korean holidays

• Avoid intercity travel on Seollal and Chuseok, or book your trains the moment booking opens. Plan to be in one city for the whole break.
• Pick Seoul for the holiday itself. The city is quieter, roads are emptier, and many palaces and museums offer holiday programmes.
• Stock up a little. If your neighbourhood restaurant shows a sign with dates on the door, it is probably a holiday closure notice. Convenience stores are your safety net.
• Use maps that show live hours. Naver Map and Kakao Map often show "closed today" notices updated by the business owner.
• Expect long weekends to be busy, not closed. Book hotels in Busan, Gangneung or Jeju early for substitute-holiday weekends.

"Every Chuseok, half of POPORO CITY goes home and the radio plays to empty streets. It's my favourite time to walk the palaces." — LUMI

Quick tips

• 2027 high-impact dates: 6–9 February and 14–16 September.
• Main holiday days (7 Feb, 15 Sep) have the most closures.
• Theme parks on Children's Day (5 May) are the busiest of the year.
• Banks close on every public holiday; convenience-store ATMs still work.
• Check official websites for each attraction's holiday opening — rules change yearly.

FAQ

Is everything closed in Korea during Seollal and Chuseok?

No. Many small restaurants and markets close, especially on the main day, but convenience stores, chain cafes, hotels, public transport and most big tourist attractions keep running. Department stores usually close for one day.

Is it a bad idea to visit Korea during a public holiday?

Not at all. Single-day holidays barely affect travellers. Seollal and Chuseok need more planning — mainly for intercity transport — but they can be a calm, interesting time to see Seoul with traditional events at palaces and folk villages.

Does the Seoul subway run on public holidays?

Yes. The subway and city buses run on holidays, usually on a weekend or holiday timetable. Late-night service is sometimes extended during major holidays; check announcements from Seoul Metro.

What is a substitute holiday in Korea?

When certain holidays fall on a weekend (or overlap with another holiday), the next working day becomes a day off. In 2027 this creates several long weekends, such as 19 July, 16 August, 4 October, 11 October and 27 December.

Is Christmas a public holiday in Korea?

Yes. Christmas Day is a national holiday. Shops and restaurants are open, and central Seoul is busy with couples and friends enjoying the lights.