New Year’s (January 1)
Some Koreans still celebrate the New Year on this official holidays, while many more now celebrate on the Lunar Calendar’s New Year’s Day, Seollal.
Seollal (First Day of the First Month by the Lunar Calendar)
It is one of the most important holidays in Korea like Christmas in the Western world. Family members who live scattered around the nation reunite on this day to spend time together. This Holidays features family rituals honoring ancestors and many traditional games.
Samil Independence Movement Day (March 1)
This day marks the beginning of the independence movement against the Japanese during their colonial rule. On this day in 1919, leaders of social and religious circles gathered at a park in central Seoul and declared Korea’s independence from the Japanese colonialists.
Buddha’s Birthday (Eighth Day of the Fourth Month by the Lunar Calendar)
Solemn rituals are held at Buddhist temples across the country. The day’s festivities reach their climax when monks and laymen march through city streets with beautiful paper lanterns.
Children’s Day (May 5)
Children are the center of attention on this day as their parents shower them with presents and take them on outings.
Parents’ Day (May 
Though not an official Holidays, it is still observed in many homes. Children give their parents carnations along with letters of thanks.
Teachers’ Day (May 15)
Teachers occupy a special place in this society which still has a strong Confucian influence. There was a time in Korea when students were forbidden to walk in the shadow of their teachers, literally. Students give their teachers flowers on this day.
Constitution Day (July 17)
This national holidays celebrates the establishment of the first Korean Constitution on July 17, 1948. The Republic of Korea was established about a month later.
Liberation Day (August 15)
Taegeukgi, the Korean national flag, fly from nearly every building on this day, which marks the end of 35-year Japanese colonial rule in 1945.
Chuseok or Harvest Festival Day (Fifteenth Day of the Eighth Month by the Lunar Calendar)
This is one of the great national holidays of the year. On this day a feast is prepared and families hold memorial services at family grave sites. Viewing the full moon is a feature of the evening.
Hangeul Day (October 9)
Perhaps the only alphabet to have its own day, hangeul is the crowning achievement of the brilliant King Sejong. Among the many inventions of his court, this scientifically-based phonetic alphabet was the most influential, as it freed the populace from the tyranny of memorizing thousands of Chinese characters.
National Foundation Day (October 3)
Called Gaecheonjeol Day, this is the day when Dangun founded the first Korean kingdom.
Christmas (December 25)
Christianity took hold in Korea only in the 19th century, so this day has less religious significance. Just as everywhere else, though, it is a time to exchange greetings and gifts. Grandfather Santa, as he is called in Korea, is somewhat smaller in build than his Western counterpart.
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