A typical school term in Seoul begins late August and ends mid-July. School holidays in Seoul consist of religious and cultural holidays. Schools in Seoul are closed during these major holidays. Winter vacation will approximately start mid-December to the end of January, while spring vacation starts late February.
For more updated information, please check the individual school websites.
Academic Year 2026
| Dates | School Holidays |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 | New Year’s Day |
| Mar 1 | Independence Movement Day |
| Apr 5 | Arbor Day |
| May 5 | Children’s Day |
| May 24 – 25 | Buddha’s Birthday |
| Jun 6 | Memorial Day |
| Jul 17 | Constitution Day |
| Aug 15 | Liberation Day |
| Sep 24 – 26 | Ch’usok or “Korean Thanksgiving Day” |
| Oct 3 | National Foundation Day |
| Dec 25 | Christmas Day |
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. Seoul marks this day with festivities. All schools are closed during this day.
Korean New Year Holiday (February 16)
It is the first day of the Korean lunar calendar.
March 1st Movement
This holiday remembers Korea’s resistance from Japan from 1910 into 1945.
Labor Day
Celebrated every 1st day of May in Seoul, Labor Day celebrates workers’ rights.
Children’s Day Holiday
Children’s Day is celebrated every May 5 in Seoul. It used to be known as Boy’s Day.
Buddha’s Birthday
Prince Siddhartha Gautama or Buddha’s birthday is also celebrated in Korea.
Memorial Day
South Korea honors the military in a solemn ceremony during this day.
Local Elections Day
The local elections will be for the vacant seats in the National Assembly.
Constitution Day
Constitution Day is the day that the South Korean constitution was proclaimed on July 17, 1948.
Liberation Day
The National Liberation day is held both in North and South Korea celebrated annually on August 15. It commemorates South Korea’s liberation from Japanese occupation.
Harvest Festival Holiday
Harvest Moon Festival or Chuseok celebrates the start of the harvest season in Seoul. It falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.
National Foundation Day
Celebrated every October, the national foundation day is marked by parades, festivals, parties and other activities in Seoul.
Hangeul Day
Also known as the Korean Alphabet Day, Hangeul Day remembers the day the Hangul was proclaimed.
Christmas Day
A cultural and religious holiday which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is celebrated in Seoul annually every December 25.
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The holiday information provided on this website has been extremely helpful in planning our family trip. We were able to find timely and useful details about attractions, events, and transport options in Seoul. Thank you for making our vacation so enjoyable!
By Miho Yamada (May, 2023) |