Public Holidays & Academic Calendar for International Students in Korea

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Understanding Korea's public holidays and academic calendar is essential for international students. These dates determine when you have class, when you can travel, when offices are closed, and when transportation becomes a nightmare of crowds and sold-out tickets. Planning around the Korean calendar saves money, reduces stress, and helps you make the most of your time in Korea.

This guide covers every public holiday, explains the two-semester academic structure, and provides practical advice for navigating the busiest travel periods.

The Academic Calendar

Semester Structure

Korean universities follow a two-semester system:

Spring Semester (1학기)

• Period: Early March to mid-June
• Orientation: Late February to early March
• Classes begin: First week of March
• Midterm exams: Mid-April to late April (week 8)
• Final exams: Mid-June (weeks 15-16)
• Semester ends: Late June

Fall Semester (2학기)

• Period: Early September to mid-December
• Orientation: Late August to early September
• Classes begin: First week of September
• Midterm exams: Mid-October to late October (week 8)
• Final exams: Mid-December (weeks 15-16)
• Semester ends: Late December

Breaks

Summer break: Late June to late August (approximately 8-10 weeks). The longest break of the year.

Winter break: Late December to late February (approximately 8-10 weeks). Also long, but includes the coldest months.

Mid-semester breaks: Some universities give a 1-week break around Chuseok (September/October) or mid-semester, but policies vary by school.

Important Academic Dates to Track

Public Holidays in 2026

Korea has approximately 16 public holidays (including substitute holidays) (공휴일). When a holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute holiday (대체공휴일) is given on the following Monday, so you rarely lose a day off.

Complete 2026 Holiday Calendar

Note: Lunar New Year and Chuseok dates change annually as they follow the lunar calendar. The 2026 dates above are approximate and should be verified as the dates approach.

Major Holidays Explained

Seollal (설날) — Lunar New Year

When: Three days around the first day of the lunar calendar (late January to mid-February)

What happens: Seollal is one of Korea's two biggest holidays. Most Koreans travel to their hometowns to spend the holiday with family. This creates:

• Travel chaos: KTX tickets sell out weeks in advance. Highways experience severe congestion. Express bus seats become scarce.
• Closed businesses: Many restaurants, shops, and services close for 3-5 days (the holiday itself plus the days before/after).
• Empty cities: Seoul and other major cities feel noticeably emptier as residents leave for their hometowns.

Impact on students: If you do not travel, enjoy quiet cities and reduced crowds at tourist sites. If you want to travel domestically, book transportation and accommodation at least 2-3 weeks in advance.

Cultural activities: Tteokguk (rice cake soup), sebae (traditional bow to elders for good luck money), hanbok wearing, and traditional games.

Chuseok (추석) — Korean Thanksgiving

When: Three days around the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (September or October)

What happens: Chuseok is equally significant to Seollal and creates the same travel and closure patterns. Families gather, visit ancestral gravesites (성묘), and share a feast featuring songpyeon (half-moon rice cakes).

Impact on students: Same as Seollal: travel options sell out early, many businesses close, but the weather is beautiful (autumn in Korea is ideal for sightseeing). Some universities give the entire week off, combining Chuseok with a mid-semester break.

Student opportunity: If Korean friends invite you to join their family's Chuseok celebration, accept enthusiastically. It is a rare and meaningful cultural experience.

Buddha's Birthday (부처님 오신 날)

When: 8th day of the 4th lunar month (usually May)

Cultural highlight: The Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul, where thousands of illuminated lanterns are paraded through the streets, is one of Korea's most spectacular events. Temples across the country host celebrations with free meals and cultural activities.

Independence Movement Day (삼일절) — March 1

Significance: Commemorates the March 1, 1919 independence movement against Japanese colonial rule. The Korean flag (태극기) is displayed on homes and buildings. Ceremonies are held at historical sites.

Liberation Day (광복절) — August 15

Significance: Celebrates Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. Major ceremonies at government buildings and historical sites. The Korean flag is prominently displayed.

Hangul Day (한글날) — October 9

Significance: Celebrates the creation of Hangul, the Korean alphabet, by King Sejong in 1443. Cultural events, calligraphy exhibitions, and Korean language programs are held nationwide.

Navigating Busy Travel Periods

When NOT to Travel Domestically

The following periods see extreme congestion on trains, buses, and highways:

1. Seollal +/- 2 days: The worst travel period of the year
2. Chuseok +/- 2 days: Equally congested
3. Golden Week (late April to early May, when Children's Day creates a long weekend): Popular domestic travel period
4. Summer peak (late July to mid-August): Beach and vacation destinations are crowded and expensive

How to Book Travel During Holidays

KTX/SRT tickets: Open for booking 1 month in advance. Set a reminder and book the minute tickets become available. Popular routes (Seoul-Busan) sell out within hours for holiday periods. For more on train travel, see our transportation guide.

Express buses: Also bookable 1 month in advance through the Kobus app.

Accommodation: Book hotels and Airbnb stays 2-4 weeks in advance for holiday periods. Prices increase 30-100% during peak dates.

Flights: For international travel during breaks, book 2-3 months in advance. Prices to Southeast Asian destinations (Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines) from Seoul can double during Korean holiday periods.

Best Travel Times (Low Season)

• March (early): Before cherry blossom season, still cool but uncrowded
• June (early): Before monsoon, after spring crowds
• September (early): After summer heat, before Chuseok
• November: After Chuseok crowds, beautiful autumn foliage, before winter cold

Campus Events Calendar

Beyond official holidays, Korean university life has its own calendar of events:

Festival Season (축제)

Spring festival (봄축제): Usually held in May. Korea's famous campus festivals feature live music performances (often with K-pop or indie artists), food stalls, club exhibitions, and various competitions. These are major social events and a highlight of Korean university life.

Autumn festival (가을축제): Similar to spring festivals, held in September or October. Sometimes called Homecoming (대동제).

What to expect: Alcohol flows freely at campus festivals. Food stalls sell grilled meats, tteokbokki, and festival foods. Musical performances range from student bands to invited professional artists. The atmosphere is celebratory and welcoming.

Membership Training (MT)

What it is: Overnight group trips organized by departments, clubs, or student organizations. Usually involve team-building activities, games, drinking, and socializing at a pension (vacation rental) or rural retreat.

When: Typically held in March (beginning of spring semester) and September (beginning of fall semester).

Student tip: Attending MT, especially in your first semester, is one of the fastest ways to build friendships with Korean classmates. Even if you do not drink alcohol, the social bonding experience is valuable.

Exam Periods and Academic Intensity

Midterm and final exam weeks: Campus libraries fill to capacity during exam weeks. Some students study overnight in the library, and the campus atmosphere becomes noticeably more intense. Study cafes and PC bangs near campus also fill up.

Assignment culture: Korean professors tend to assign fewer but larger projects and papers compared to some Western academic systems. Group projects are very common, requiring significant coordination with classmates.

Planning Your Year

Here is a month-by-month overview of what to expect:

For guidance on how weather affects your daily planning, see our seasonal weather guide.

Holiday Survival Tips for International Students

During Seollal/Chuseok when everything is closed:

• Stock up on groceries 2-3 days before the holiday
• Convenience stores remain open (your lifeline)
• Some fast-food chains and franchise restaurants stay open
• Foreign restaurants in Itaewon and other international areas often remain open

If a Korean friend invites you for a holiday:

• Accept if possible (experiencing Korean family holidays is unforgettable)
• Bring a gift (fruit set, 한우 gift box, or nice pastries, ₩30,000-50,000)
• Dress neatly but not too formally
• Be prepared for a lot of food, extended family interactions, and possibly traditional activities

The Korean calendar shapes student life in ways that go beyond simple day-off calculations. Understanding the rhythm of semesters, holidays, and cultural events helps you plan academically, travel smartly, save money, and participate fully in the Korean student experience.

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Need personalized advice? Want help planning your semester schedule around holidays, or need tips for your first Korean holiday experience? Chat with Dr. Admissions →