Public holidays in South Korea 2026

Counting Saturday and Sunday as the weekend, 16 of the 18 holiday dates in 2026 fall on a working day and 2 on a weekend. The most common weekday for a holiday is Monday or Friday, with 5 dates.

Ten of the 18 dates land on a Monday or Friday, next to the weekend, so they make a long weekend without using any leave: The day preceding Korean New Year on Monday, February 16, Alternative holiday for Independence Movement Day on Monday, March 2, Labor Day on Friday, May 1, Alternative holiday for Buddha's Birthday on Monday, May 25, Constitution Day on Friday, July 17, Alternative holiday for Liberation Day on Monday, August 17, and 4 more. Two more holidays sit one working day away from the weekend, so a single day of leave turns each into a four-day break: New Year's Day on Thursday, January 1 (take Friday off) and Children's Day on Tuesday, May 5 (take Monday off).

February, May and September are the busiest months, with 3 holiday dates. April and November have no public holiday at all. The longest stretch between two holidays is 77 days, from Hangul Day on October 9 to Christmas Day on December 25, the natural window for a longer break.

4 entries are observed, substitute or bridge days that move holidays onto working days, for example Alternative holiday for Independence Movement Day on March 2.

2027 brings 17 public holidays, 1 holiday fewer than 2026. 15 of the 17 dates fall on a working day, and 9 land next to the weekend.