South Korea Travel Tips

One of the most important celebrations in South Korea is Seollal (Lunar New Year), marking the beginning of the lunar calendar. Held over three days, this family-centered holiday is dedicated to honoring ancestors through charye (ancestral rites), wearing hanbok (traditional clothing), and enjoying dishes like tteokguk (rice cake soup), which symbolizes growing a year older. Families play traditional games, exchange gifts, and perform deep bows (sebae) to elders to receive blessings and pocket money.

Chuseok, often called Korean Thanksgiving, is another major holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Families gather to pay respects to their ancestors through seongmyo (gravesite visits) and charye, sharing seasonal foods like songpyeon (rice cakes) and fresh harvest produce. It’s a time for expressing gratitude, strengthening family bonds, and enjoying folk games and traditional performances.

Buddha’s Birthday, celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, is a vibrant occasion marked by colorful lantern parades and decorations in temples across the country. Temples host free meals and cultural activities, inviting people of all backgrounds to participate. Another traditional festival, Dano, observed on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, celebrates the changing of seasons with folk dances, traditional wrestling (ssireum), and rituals for health and good fortune.

South Korea’s modern celebrations also hold significant cultural value. Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day), celebrated on October 3, honors the legendary founding of the Korean nation with flag ceremonies and public events. Hangeul Day on October 9 commemorates the creation of the Korean alphabet, highlighting national pride in linguistic heritage.

During the winter season, Christmas is widely celebrated in urban areas with festive lights and public events, though it is more secular compared to Western traditions. New Year’s Eve celebrations are marked by bell-ringing ceremonies, with many people gathering at iconic spots like Seoul’s Bosingak Bell Pavilion.

Local festivals add to the cultural vibrancy. The Jinju Lantern Festival lights up the Nam River with colorful lantern displays, while the Andong Mask Dance Festival showcases traditional mask dances (talchum) reflecting Korean folklore and satire. Boryeong Mud Festival, a more modern addition, draws crowds to play in mud-based activities along the beaches of Boryeong, blending fun with community spirit.

Across the country, traditions and celebrations remain central to South Korean life, connecting people with their heritage while embracing contemporary influences. Visitors are always welcomed to join in these events, experiencing firsthand the warmth, culture, and festive atmosphere that define South Korea’s vibrant traditions.