South Korea Holidays and Festivals 2026: Public Holidays, Events & Travel Tips
Why 2026 Is a Big Year for Life and Travel in South Korea
The year 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic and opportunity-rich years in South Korea. With a rare combination of extended public holidays, globally significant sports tournaments, major entertainment releases, and large-scale exhibitions, Korea will experience noticeable shifts in travel patterns, online engagement, and lifestyle trends.
Another defining feature of 2026 is the way offline events continue to expand into digital spaces. Global sports competitions, music festivals, and cultural events are no longer limited to physical attendance. They generate massive attention through live streams, highlight clips, and short-form content, extending their impact far beyond their original dates. For travelers, expats, and anyone following Korean culture, understanding this annual rhythm makes planning far more effective.
This guide highlights the most important South Korea holidays and festivals in 2026, along with global events that attract strong Korean interest, long weekends, entertainment releases, and lifestyle exhibitions that shape everyday life throughout the year.
Major Global Events Koreans Will Be Watching in 2026
While these events take place outside Korea, they receive intense attention from Korean audiences and media, often driving search trends and online discussions.
2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics
February 6 (Fri) – February 22 (Sun)
The Winter Olympics remain hugely popular in Korea, especially in skating and snow sports. Broadcasts, highlights, and athlete coverage generate nationwide interest.
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
April 10 (Fri) – April 19 (Sun)
Coachella continues to attract Korean fans thanks to global pop culture influence and the frequent appearance of Korean artists on international stages.
2026 FIFA World Cup (North America)
June 11 (Thu) – July 19 (Sun)
One of the most anticipated sporting events of the year. Despite time zone differences, Korean fans actively follow match schedules, highlights, and live broadcasts.
2026 Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games
September 19 (Sat) – October 4 (Sun)
A major regional sports event with strong national interest across multiple disciplines and countries.
South Korea Public Holidays & Long Weekends in 2026
The 2026 calendar offers numerous opportunities for extended breaks, making it an attractive year for travel and leisure.
Key Public Holidays
Seollal (Lunar New Year): February 16 (Mon) – 18 (Wed)
When combined with surrounding weekends, many people enjoy a five-day holiday.Independence Movement Day:
March 1 (Sun) + Substitute Holiday on March 2 (Mon)Labor Day:
May 1 (Fri)Children’s Day:
May 5 (Tue), with May 4 (Mon) commonly taken as leaveBuddha’s Birthday:
May 24 (Sun) + Substitute Holiday on May 25 (Mon)Local Elections:
June 3 (Wed), often paired with personal leaveLiberation Day:
August 15 (Sat) + Substitute Holiday on August 17 (Mon)Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving):
September 24 (Thu) – 26 (Sat)National Foundation Day:
October 3 (Sat) + Substitute Holiday on October 5 (Mon)Hangeul Day:
October 9 (Fri)Christmas Day:
December 25 (Fri)
These holiday clusters significantly increase domestic travel, entertainment consumption, and online activity throughout the year.
OTT Series & Blockbuster Movies Releasing in 2026
Entertainment plays a major role in Korean lifestyle trends, particularly during weekends and holidays.
OTT & Streaming Highlights
Major streaming platforms will release new original series, reality shows, and exclusive sports broadcasts throughout the year, keeping viewer engagement high across seasons.
Highly Anticipated Movies
The Devil Wears Prada 2 — April
Michael — May 13
The Odyssey (Christopher Nolan) — July 15
Hope (Na Hong-jin) — July
Dune: Part Three — December 18
Avengers: Doomsday — December 18
These releases are expected to dominate box offices and online conversations.
Fun and Unusual International Awareness Days
Light-hearted global commemorative days are widely embraced in Korea, especially on social media.
International Puppy Day: March 23
World Penguin Day: April 25
World Chocolate Day: July 7
World Cat Day: August 8
Talk Like a Pirate Day: September 19
Say Hello to Someone You Like Day: October 22
These days often inspire themed content, promotions, and viral trends.
Major Exhibitions and Lifestyle Fairs in Korea
Exhibitions and fairs remain important cultural and lifestyle touchpoints in Korea, attracting both locals and international visitors.
Seoul Living Design Fair: February 25 – March 1
Seoul Coffee Expo: April 15 – 18
Korea International Bakery Fair: April 16 – 19
Seoul International Buddhist Expo: April
Seoul International Book Fair: June 24 – 28
These events are ideal for discovering emerging trends and cultural interests.
What the 2026 Korea Calendar Means for Travelers and Expats
The 2026 calendar reflects a year of movement, attention, and opportunity in South Korea. With frequent long weekends, globally watched events, and a packed entertainment schedule, timing becomes a key factor in planning travel, work, and leisure.
For travelers, understanding when holidays and festivals occur helps avoid crowds—or embrace them for cultural experiences. For expats and remote workers, the calendar provides insight into peak travel seasons, quieter periods, and moments of heightened national activity. By following the rhythm of South Korea holidays and festivals in 2026, anyone can engage more deeply with Korean life and make better-informed plans throughout the year.
