Korea Seasonal Guide
❄️ Lunar New Year (Seollal) (설날)
Late January to mid-February (lunar)
Korea's second-biggest holiday — 4 days of bowing, tteokguk soup, and traditional folk games.
Seollal (Lunar New Year) is Korea's biggest winter holiday, falling on the first day of the lunar calendar. In 2026 it's February 16-19 (bridge holiday). Koreans wear traditional hanbok, bow to elders (sebae), eat tteokguk (rice cake soup), and play yutnori (traditional board game). Like Chuseok, Seoul empties; transportation is impossible without 3+ month advance booking. Many cultural sites run free programs.
Peak dates
February 16-19, 2026 (4-day with bridge holiday)
What to expect
- •Seoul empties to 60% normal
- •Most restaurants + shops closed Feb 16-18
- •Long-distance transit sells out months ahead
- •Free palace programs + hanbok rentals
- •Sebae bowing tradition + KRW gifts (sebaetdon)
Best locations
- Korean Folk Village (Yongin) (Gyeonggi)Most extensive Seollal demonstrations
- Gyeongbokgung (Seoul)Free Seollal programs + traditional dance
- Namsangol Hanok Village (Seoul)Free games (yutnori, jegichagi)
- Gyeongju (Gyeongbuk)Traditional Seollal in UNESCO area
- Seoul cultural centers (Seoul)Hands-on traditional crafts + foods
What to pack
- •Layers (Jan-Feb can be -10°C)
- •Hat + gloves
- •Comfortable shoes for cultural performances
- •Cash (some Korean folk activities prefer cash)
Tips
- •Book transport 3+ months ahead.
- •Seoul is actually one of the best places to be during Seollal — local emptiness + free cultural programs.
- •Try wearing hanbok — most rental shops offer Seollal-themed packages.
- •Tteokguk eating: Koreans believe eating it makes you a year older — try at least once.
Frequently asked
When is Lunar New Year (Seollal) 2026?
February 16-19, 2026 (4-day with bridge holiday). Korea's biggest winter holiday.
Is Seoul empty during Seollal?
Yes — most locals travel home. Streets are 40% emptier. Palaces stay open with free programs.
Traditional food at Seollal?
Tteokguk (rice cake soup), galbi-jjim (braised ribs), japchae, sweet rice cakes.