Although Seollal, the Lunar New Year, is traditionally a family holiday spent at home, many people also use the break to get out and explore. Across the country, cultural sites, traditional villages, markets and museums welcome visitors with festive holiday events, with some offering free admission during the holiday period.

In 2026, Seollal runs Feb. 16-18 (Monday-Wednesday), but many holiday events begin during the weekend, Feb.14–15. Whether you’re spending the holiday with your family or on your own, you don’t have to sit out. Here are the five places where you can experience the Lunar New Year in a uniquely Korean way!

1. Korean Folk Village

Korean Folk Village is a cultural theme park that recreates daily life during the Joseon Dynasty, bringing many of Seollal’s key traditions together. While many places slow down during the holiday period, it becomes one of the busiest destinations for comprehensive Seollal experiences.

Throughout the Lunar New Year period, the village hosts special Seollal programs, including traditional folk games, performances and cultural events. Visitors can take part in hands-on activities, try traditional holiday foods and see how Seollal was traditionally celebrated. Winter attractions such as sledding and ice fishing are also available with additional fees, making it easy to enjoy seasonal experiences together.

The village also features costumed actors playing merchants, nobles, warriors and scholars from the Joseon era. They wander the village to recreate the scenes from the past. Hanbok rentals are available nearby, and many visitors wear the traditional clothing to become part of the setting. Visiting Korean Folk Village during Seollal can be one of the most fun ways to experience Korea’s Lunar New Year traditions. For detailed program schedules, please visit their website.

• Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Mon.–Fri.) / 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (Sat.–Sun.)

• Tickets: 17,000 won–37,000 won (Discounted tickets are available through Naver booking and seasonal promotions. Most visitors pay around 17,000–19,000 won for admission, or 23,000–27,000 won when adding sledding.)

• Naver Map

• Website

2. Traditional markets

Seollal is closely tied to food, and traditional markets are one of the easiest places to experience it. During the Lunar New Year season, Koreans enjoy traditional holiday food such as tteokguk (rice cake soup 떡국), jeon (Korean pancakes 전), japchae (stir-fried glass noodles 잡채), galbi (marinated short ribs 갈비), tteok (rice cake 떡) and hangwa (traditional sweets 한과). Each dish takes time and care to prepare, almost like a work of art. They are colorful and flavorful even for those new to Korean food.

Many Koreans visit traditional markets to buy ingredients or freshly made dishes. Preparing a full Seollal table multiple times for the entire family is a time-consuming task. As a result, many families choose to buy holiday foods from markets.

Ahead of Seollal, traditional markets are lively, filled with fresh ingredients and colorful, hot holiday dishes that are ready to eat. Walking through the stalls offers a close look at how Koreans prepare for the Lunar New Year. However, many traditional markets are closed on Seollal Day, and some open only early in the morning, so visiting the market a couple of days before is a safer option.

You can visit any traditional markets nearby for this experience, but Tongbok and Seomun are the largest ones close to U.S. military bases in Pyeongtaek and Daegu.

• Tongbok Market Naver Map

• Seomun Market Naver Map

3. Royal Palaces and Tombs in Seoul

Seollal is one of the few times of the year when Seoul’s royal heritage sites — including royal palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty— are open for free to the public. Several sites host special programs that offer a glimpse into royal New Year traditions. Jongmyo Shrine, a sacred ancestral shrine that normally requires prior reservations, allows walk-in entry during the Seollal period.

The Seollal programs are various. At Gyeongbokgung Palace, visitors can receive a “Sehwa,” a traditional new year charm with artwork of auspicious animals like tigers and magpies believed to bring good fortune. Kings historically gifted sehwa to their subjects at the start of the New Year as a symbol of blessing. Quantities are limited daily, so they are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Seollal is also one of the rare occasions when many Koreans dress up in hanbok. Hanbok rental shops near those sites remain open during the holiday. Many flock to royal sites to enjoy the festive atmosphere while exploring royal history.

Note: The Secret Garden at Changdeokgung Palace requires a separate ticket. All palaces are closed after the Seollal free-entry period.

Sehwa distribution at Gyeongbokgung Palace

• Location: Gwanghwamun Square (in front of the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony area)

• Time: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (After the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony)

• Notes: Limited to 1,000 copies per session

• Website

4. Namsangol Hanok Village

Located near Namsan in Seoul, Namsangol Hanok Village hosts one of the city’s most dedicated Seollal festivals each year. The village is a compact site with five restored traditional hanok houses from the Joseon Dynasty. During the holiday season, Namsangol strongly focuses on recreating the atmosphere and customs of the traditional Korean New Year through cultural programs and events.

Many families visit the village during the Seollal festival to experience how Seollal was traditionally celebrated, and children can gain firsthand experience through hands-on activities. The programs usually include traditional craft workshops such as kite-making and calligraphy, as well as Seollal experiences like yut-nori games and traditional rituals wishing for good luck in the year ahead. Lively folk performances and shows are also staged throughout the village.

Most Seollal programs are open to the public without reservations. Entry to the village is free, but some activities may require a participation fee. For visitors looking for an easy way to experience authentic Seollal traditions in the heart of Seoul, Namsangol Hanok Village is a great choice. The village is also a popular spot to take photos of hanok houses with the N Seoul Tower as a backdrop.

• Dates: Feb. 16-18 (dates may vary, so please check their website)

• Naver Map

• Website

5. Jeonju Hanok Village

Jeonju Hanok Village is the largest traditional hanok village with hundreds of preserved hanok houses across a spacious neighborhood. As the village is accessible anytime without entrance fees, it becomes one of the best places to experience Seollal in traditional surroundings.

Many Koreans wear hanbok during Seollal as part of the holiday traditions, and Jeonju Hanok Village is a popular place to do so. Hanbok rental shops operate throughout the holiday season.

Food is another reason the village stands out during the Lunar New Year. Jeonju is best known as the home of Jeonju Bibimbap, but during Seollal, visitors can also find traditional holiday dishes such as tteokguk (rice cake soup) and a variety of traditional sweets. On Seollal Day, many restaurants and food stalls are closed in the morning but open later in the afternoon.

The village becomes festive from the weekend before Seollal. During the holiday period, visitors can enjoy Seollal events and programs throughout the village. Cultural centers and museums within the village also host Seollal programs such as traditional craft workshops. Most programs do not require reservations, but some may charge a small participation fee. Some cultural facilities may operate on limited schedules on Mondays and Seollal Day.

• Naver Map

• Website

USAG Yongsan

Camp Casey

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu

Kunsan Air Base

Osan Air Base

Camp Humphreys

related stories

• A guide to Seollal: What to know about Korea’s Lunar New Year