Seollal, Korea’s Lunar New Year, is the country’s most important family holiday. Much like the Christmas and New Year season in the United States, it’s a time when families travel and gather. However, the customs for Seollal are uniquely Korean.

For those experiencing Seollal for the first time, understanding the cultural meaning and customs will make the holiday easier to navigate and more enjoyable to partake in.

What is Seollal?

Seollal is the Lunar New Year, and it falls on the first day of the new year on the lunar calendar, one many Asian countries traditionally follow. In Korea, the holiday is celebrated over three days. The dates vary each year. In 2026, Seollal falls on Feb. 17, and the holiday period runs Feb. 16-18.

Seollal is a tradition when families gather to welcome the new year and share wishes for good fortune. Families enjoy traditional holiday foods, perform ancestral rites to honor their roots and play traditional games for family bonding. Many Koreans also wear hanbok during the holiday.

While each family celebrates Seollal in its own way, the holiday is ultimately about remembering where one comes from and expressing love and gratitude toward family.

How Seollal is observed today

Seollal has deep traditional roots, but today it is observed in different ways depending on family beliefs and lifestyle.

In families that continue traditional customs, relatives gather under one roof, prepare food and take part in ancestral rites. The multi-generational company, long meals and conversations are a big part of this celebration.

That tradition, however, often comes with a heavy preparation process. Setting up an elaborate ritual table and cooking multiple dishes can take hours of work that has traditionally fallen on women in the family.

At the same time, many Christian families do not observe ancestral rites at all, and many younger generations choose to step away from formal rituals. Instead, they treat the holiday as a rare chance to travel together or simply enjoy time off.

What stays open during Seollal

Seollal Day, the day before and the day after are considered national holidays, so most public offices are closed during this period.

Business operations vary. Small businesses such as family-run restaurants and traditional market vendors may close for all three days or only on Seollal Day. However, many businesses, especially convenience and grocery stores, remain open throughout the holiday.

For many Koreans, Seollal is short vacation period for outings and family activities. Because of this, many travel-related destinations and leisure facilities stay open, and some operate extended hours to welcome more visitors.

Seollal is a peak travel season

Seollal is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year in Korea. Roads are heavily congested as people travel to their hometowns or take family trips. Travelers using trains or buses are strongly recommended to book tickets several weeks in advance.

Flight prices for nearby destinations such as Jeju Island and Japan also rise during the holiday period. If you plan to travel, you may find it easier to leave early in the morning to avoid delays. Peak traffic usually includes the day before Seollal and from morning through early evening on Seollal Day. Keep in mind that popular destinations may be crowded.

Enjoy free tolls and admission

Because Seollal is one of Korea’s biggest national holidays, some government-run services and facilities are free during the holiday period. Expressway tolls are waived across Korea. Many museums and historic sites also offer free admission and host special Seollal programs and activities.

Cultural cues to know during Seollal

■ New Year greetings

One phrase you will hear everywhere during Seollal is “Saehae bok mani badeuseyo,” which means “Wishing you lots of luck in the New Year.” It is the Korean equivalent of “Happy New Year,” and it works in almost any situation. You can say it to your friends, older people, neighbors, shop owners or coworkers around the holiday. Even if your pronunciation is not perfect, effort is always appreciated and brings a smile.

■ Tteokguk (New Year food)

Tteokguk, a rice cake soup, is traditionally eaten during Seollal to welcome the new year and bring in good fortune. The white rice cakes symbolize renewal, long life and wealth. There is also a common saying that eating tteokguk marks becoming one year older. More than just the dish, sharing tteokguk is the moment to start the year together around the same table.

■ Sebae (New Year’s bow)

The deep bow (keunjeol 큰절) is another key part of Seollal culture. It’s a formal gesture lowering the body all the way to the floor to express respect and gratitude.

During Seollal, younger family members perform a deep bow called sebae (New Year’s bow) to elders such as parents, grandparents or teachers. In return, elders offer words of blessing and give sebaetdon (New Year’s cash gifts). Sebaetdon symbolizes blessings, encouragement and good wishes for the year ahead.

The number of bows also carries meaning. A single deep bow is used when greeting living elders while two deep bows are for honoring the deceased, including ancestors.

Visitors are not expected to participate in bowing rituals. However, it helps to know that a deep bow is considered a highly respectful gesture, expressing deep gratitude and honor. If you choose to offer one sincerely in an appropriate setting, keep in mind that a single deep bow is used for living elders.

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