Korean New Year

Categories:: Cultural
Tags:: Festivities
Where:: Korea
Date change rule:: First day of the Korean calendar (late January–late February)
Holiday emoji:: 🇰🇷

Korean New Year, known as Seollal, ushers in a period of family reunion and ancestral reverence every late January or February. It marks the first day of the Korean lunar calendar, a time for traditional customs like ‘sebae’ (bowing) and enjoying ‘tteokguk’ (rice cake soup). Join in the festivities by learning about its rich history, participating in cultural events, and sharing well wishes with loved ones.

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Expected Korean New Year Deals

Korean New Year is a time for cultural celebration and family. While major retail promotions are less common, expect local Korean markets and restaurants to offer special menus and ingredients for traditional dishes like ‘tteokguk’ and ‘galbi.’ Many Korean cultural centers and community organizations will host events, often with opportunities to purchase traditional crafts or participate in games. Some airlines may offer deals for travel to Korea around this time. Look for special offerings from brands like H Mart, CJ CheilJedang, and Paldo for authentic ingredients. We will update this page with confirmed live cultural events and local specials as February 17 approaches.

Platform Guide for Korean New Year

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #KoreanNewYear. Share photos of your family’s Seollal preparations, traditional attire, or delicious ‘tteokguk’.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #KoreanNewYear. Connect with local Korean community groups to find events and share stories of cultural traditions.

YouTube

Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. Watch tutorials on making traditional Korean dishes or documentaries about Seollal customs.

Korean New Year Hero

King Sejong the Great

King Sejong the Great (reigned 1418–1450) was the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty and is one of Korea's most revered historical figures. He is celebrated for creating the Korean alphabet, Hangul, and for his advancements in science, technology, and culture. His reign is often considered a golden age, deeply influencing the cultural bedrock that includes traditions observed during Seollal.

History of Korean New Year

Seollal is a cultural holiday, which has its roots in traditional Chinese Confucianism and is celebrated on the first day of the Korean lunar calendar. It usually lasts three days — the day before Korean New Year, Korean New Year itself, and the day after Korean New Year.

The “Book of Sui” and the “Book of Tang” have the first recorded histories of Silla, an old kingdom from 57 B.C. to 935 A.D., that celebrated Seollal. The Joseon dynasty, a renowned kingdom that ruled from 1392 to 1897 also has traces of government officials gathering in the five grand palaces to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Seollal is a unique Korean tradition, influenced by China, and is based on the lunar cycle. Each year represents a different animal and the cycle is repeated every 12 years. The 12 animals are the following: mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The order of the animals is thought to have been based on the sequence in which they were invited to see Buddha.

Koreans believe that the animal representing the year that a baby is born will attribute certain characters and qualities to that baby. There are even some parents who plan the birth year of their children in accordance with this belief.

Korean New Year timeline

57 B.C.

Beginning of the Silla Kingdom

Silla is considered to be one of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea.

918 A.D.

Start of the Goryeo Dynasty

Seollal first becomes a major Korean holiday during the reign of the Goryeo dynasty.

935 A.D.

End of the Silla Kingdom

After more than 100 years of peace, the kingdom is torn by conflicts in the 10th century.

1392 A.D.

End of the Goryeo Dynasty

The 400-year-old Goryeo Dynasty goes into decline by the late 14th century.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Korean New Year

Local businesses can honor Korean New Year by offering special promotions on Korean goods, hosting cultural workshops, or featuring traditional Korean dishes on their menus. Korean restaurants and grocery stores are natural hubs for community engagement, providing authentic ingredients and prepared meals for family gatherings. Consider partnering with local Korean community organizations to support their Seollal events or to educate customers about the holiday’s significance and customs.

Korean New Year FAQs

When is Korean New Year?

In 2027, Seollal is observed on Monday, February 7. This annual celebration is a cherished occasion for Koreans worldwide to honor their heritage and welcome the new year with traditional customs.

How is Korean New Year celebrated?

For Seollal 2027, families will continue the cherished traditions of visiting relatives, paying respects to ancestors through ‘charye’ (ancestral rites), and exchanging well wishes. The holiday emphasizes familial bonds and the start of a prosperous year.

What is the significance of 'tteokguk' during Seollal?

In 2027, the consumption of ‘tteokguk’ during Seollal continues to hold deep cultural meaning. The white rice cakes signify purity and a fresh start, while their round shape represents coins, symbolizing prosperity for the upcoming year.

Is Korean New Year a federal holiday in the U.S.?

While not a federal holiday in 2027, Korean New Year remains a profoundly important cultural observance for millions of Korean-Americans. Many take personal time to celebrate, and businesses in heavily Korean populated areas may adjust hours.

Korean New Year Activities

Give gifts
In addition to yummy food and family reunions, another reason that Seollal is a special holiday is the custom of giving and receiving gifts. This gift-giving extends beyond homes to workplaces when companies usually offer each of their employees a gift as well. So the best way to celebrate would be by giving gifts.
Play folk games
We can also celebrate by participating in traditional folk games. Folk games are a major part of New Year festivities for Koreans. The most commonly played game is ‘Yut Nori,’ a traditional Korean board game. Men also go out for some kite flying, starting on the Lunar New Year and in the days leading up to the new year’s first full-moon day. For young women, ‘neol ddwigi’ is also a popular activity.
Eat Korean food
Almost any large family gathering in any culture generally revolves largely around food. So an amazing way to celebrate Korean New Year is by eating Korean food. One main dish that is considered comfort food during Korean New Year is ‘Tteokguk’ (rice cake soup). This starchy and soothing bowl of soup is a beloved New Year's tradition.

5 Facts About Korean New Year

Hiding their shoes
Koreans hide their shoes as they believe that if a person’s shoes go missing, it's because ghosts have taken them away and bad luck will follow that person for the whole year.
Hanging strainers on their walls
People rush to the market early in the morning to buy ‘bokjori’ (bamboo strainers), which are hung up high on their houses’ walls to bring/catch good luck and fortune.
‘Sebae,’ the Korean New Year bow
After eating the food, the young members of every family perform a ritual called ‘sebae’ or ‘New Year’s bow,’ which is the act of bowing deeply.
‘Charye’ — an ancestral worship ceremony
Koreans believe that their ancestors visit them on Seollal so they prepare special food to pay tribute to their ancestors and call this practice ‘charye.’
Wearing ‘hanbok’
People prefer traditional clothing to celebrate this big day — South Koreans wear ‘hanbok,’ which has beautifully embroidered patterns and colors, on this day.

Why We Love Korean New Year

It brings unity
People celebrate Seollal with great joy. Family members and relatives get together to practice their different traditions and rituals and celebrate in the spirit of this day.
It is a time of reflection and hope
People understand the value and significance of marking the end of one year and the beginning of another. This is a time for reflection, hope, and high spirits. That is what makes it extremely special.
It is a time to pay respects
Korean New Year is the time to pay respects to family members and ancestors. That is why visiting the graves of ancestors is a common practice for the day. In addition to this, the younger kids bow to their elders and, in return, receive pocket money from them. These practices increase their love and respect for each other.