There are a variety of national celebration days and seasonal festivals in Korea. There are the days that Korean people have to remember or celebrate each year. Generally, the Korean government designated those days as public holidays so, Korean people don't work on those days. So Koreans usually call it "Red Day (빨간 날)".
In this article, you will see the meaning of each day and what date it is. It is important to know what it is at least to learn Korean culture and knowing those days would help you communicate with Koreans better.
National Celebration Days
1. Independence Day (삼일절)
Date: March 1st
Description: It is the day to commemorate the feats of our ancestors who were undergoing the Japanese colonial era, against Japanese rule and who raised the banner of national pride to restore national sovereignty. It promotes national unity and patriotism.
2. Constitution Day (제헌절)
Date: July 17th
Description: It is the day to celebrate the enactment of the constitution of the Republic of Korea with liberal democracy as its basic ideology, pledge to protect that ideology, and encourage a law-abiding spirit.
3. Liberation Day (광복절)
Date: August 15th
Description: It is the day to celebrate the restoration of national sovereignty lost during the Japanese colonial era and the establishment of the government of the Republic of Korea, and to pledge to develop the country by inheriting the spirit of independence.
4. National Foundation Day (개천절)
Date: October 3rd
Description: It is the day to inherit the founding ideology of Hongik Ingan (= Humanitarian ideal), promote pride as a cultural nation with a long history and tradition, announce the will for unification to the world, and pray for endless prosperity for generations to come.
*Hongik Ingan (홍익인간): It means an act of expanding the benefits of all mankind broadly. It is often translated as the promotion of the welfare of the people.
5. Hangul Day (한글날)
Date: October 9th
Description: It is the day to exalt the feat of King Sejong, who promulgated Hangul, the most brilliant cultural heritage in Korean history, and to awaken Korean's pride as a cultural nation by promoting the excellence and originality of Hangul both nationwide and worldwide.
Festivals
1. Lunar New Year (새해)
Date: January 1st
Description: It is the day to celebrate the first day of a new year. Koreans usually gather together and greet their elders, share food, and play a game of it during the Lunar New Year holidays.
*Lunar New Year Holiday (설연휴): Between the end of January and the mid of February.
2. Chuseok (추석)
Date: August 15th
Description: It is the season of fruition in which all kinds of grains are ripe, and of the brightest moonlit nights. In history, graves are offered to express gratitude for the grace of ancestors. It looks similar to Thanksgiving Day.
*Chuseok Holiday (추석연휴): Between September and October.
Other Public Holidays
1. Buddha's Birthday (석가탄신일)
Date: May 15th
Description: It is the day to celebrate the birth of Buddha.
2. Children's Day (어린이날)
Date: May 5th
Description: It is the day to celebrate the joy of children and promote children's welfare.
3. Memorial Day (현충일)
Date: June 6th
Description: It is the day for honoring national heroes and the souls of the soldiers who fought for the country during the Korean War, the martyrs of the country, and the civil servants who died fighting for the country and comforting their souls.
4. Christmas (성탄절)
Date: December 25th
Description: It is the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.