KR

South Korea public holidays 2026: 12 holidays, 1 long weekend

In 2026, South Korea has 12 public holidays: 7 fall on working days, and the calendar offers 1 long weekend. Korean New Year falls on February 17, 2026, and May is the busiest month.

Year at a glance

  • 12Public holidays
  • 7On weekdays
  • 250Working days in year
  • 9Longest break (days)
  • MayBusiest month

Public holidays in 2026

DateWeekdayHolidaySubstitute day
January 1, 2026ThursdayNew Year's Day—
February 17, 2026TuesdayKorean New Year—
March 1, 2026SundayIndependence Movement Day—
March 2, 2026MondayIndependence Movement Day (substitute day)Substitute day
May 5, 2026TuesdayChildren's Day—
May 24, 2026SundayBuddha's Birthday—
May 25, 2026MondayBuddha's Birthday (substitute day)Substitute day
June 6, 2026SaturdayMemorial Day—
July 17, 2026FridayConstitution Day—
August 15, 2026SaturdayLiberation Day—
August 17, 2026MondayLiberation Day (substitute day)Substitute day
September 24, 2026ThursdayKorean Thanksgiving—
October 3, 2026SaturdayNational Foundation Day—
October 5, 2026MondayNational Foundation Day (substitute day)Substitute day
October 9, 2026FridayHangul Day—
December 25, 2026FridayChristmas Day—

2026 calendar

  • Holiday
  • Weekend
  • Substitute day
January 2026
MTWTFSS
1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031
February 2026
MTWTFSS
1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
232425262728
March 2026
MTWTFSS
1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031
April 2026
MTWTFSS
12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930
May 2026
MTWTFSS
123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
June 2026
MTWTFSS
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930
July 2026
MTWTFSS
12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031
August 2026
MTWTFSS
12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31
September 2026
MTWTFSS
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930
October 2026
MTWTFSS
1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031
November 2026
MTWTFSS
1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30
December 2026
MTWTFSS
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031

Holidays on weekend days

HolidayDateWeekday / Substitute day
Independence Movement DayMarch 1, 2026Sunday
Buddha's BirthdayMay 24, 2026Sunday
Memorial DayJune 6, 2026Saturday
Liberation DayAugust 15, 2026Saturday
National Foundation DayOctober 3, 2026Saturday

Long weekends and bridge days

DateDays offvacation daysHoliday
January 1, 2026 – January 4, 202641New Year's Day
February 14, 2026 – February 17, 202641Korean New Year
February 28, 2026 – March 2, 20263No leave neededIndependence Movement Day, Independence Movement Day (substitute day)
February 28, 2026 – March 8, 202694Independence Movement Day, Independence Movement Day (substitute day)
May 2, 2026 – May 5, 202641Children's Day

Moving holidays

HolidayDateMoving holidays
Korean New YearFebruary 17, 202619 later
Buddha's BirthdayMay 24, 202619 later
Korean ThanksgivingSeptember 24, 202611 earlier

All about public holidays in South Korea