Get ready for Korea's biggest holiday! Seollal hits February 16-18, 2026—that's THREE days of rice cake soup, family traditions, and authentic Korean culture. Whether you just arrived in Korea or you've been teaching here for years, this guide covers everything you need to know about celebrating Seollal.

■ When's the Holiday?

February 16-18, 2026
  • Feb 15 (Sun): Regular weekend
  • Feb 16 (Mon): Seollal's Eve
  • Feb 17 (Tue): SEOLLAL DAY (Lunar New Year!)
  • Feb 18 (Wed): Still celebrating
That's basically a long weekend. Not mad about it. Time to explore, travel, or honestly just sleep in and order chicken.

▪ What IS Seollal?

Imagine New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and the biggest family reunion ever had a baby. That's Seollal. It's THE most important holiday in Korea—the first day of the lunar calendar when the whole country basically shuts down so everyone can:
  • Go home to see family (cue the epic traffic jams)
  • Honor their ancestors with special food and rituals
  • Eat an absolutely ridiculous amount of delicious food
  • Get money from relatives (if you're young enough)
  • Start the new year fresh
Yeah, January 1st is cool and all, but Seollal? That's where the real celebration happens.

■ The Main Traditions You'll See

Charye: The Morning Ritual

Super early in the morning, families set up this beautiful table full of food—we're talking rice cakes, fish, fruits (always odd numbers!), and rice wine. Then everyone bows to honor their ancestors. It's sacred, it's beautiful, and after the ceremony? Everyone demolishes the food together. If you get invited to one, that's a huge deal. Say yes!

Sebae: Bowing = Money

Kids (and honestly anyone younger than their relatives) perform deep bows to their elders while saying New Year's wishes. In return? Sebaetdon—fresh bills in fancy envelopes. You won't be expected to do the full bow as a foreigner, but learn this phrase: "Saehae bok mani badeuseyo" (새해 복 많이 받으세요) = "Happy New Year!" Your coworkers will love it.

Visiting Graves

Some families visit ancestral burial sites to clean up and pay respects. It's quiet and meaningful—if you're invited, dress conservatively and just follow along respectfully.

▪ The Food You Must Try

● Tteokguk: The Star of the Show

Rice cake soup. You literally HAVE to eat this on Seollal—it's not optional. The sliced rice cakes look like coins (prosperity!), and eating it supposedly makes you one year older. Every family makes it differently. Some add dumplings, others go fancy with egg ribbons and seaweed. Just eat it, compliment whoever made it, and ask for seconds.

● Jeon: Crispy Pancake Heaven

Pan-fried goodness in every variety imaginable:
  • Pajeon (green onion)
  • Hobakjeon (zucchini)
  • Dongtaejeon (fish)
  • Gul jeon (oyster)
Dip them in soy-vinegar sauce. Try not to eat the entire plate. Fail. It's fine.

● Japchae: The Safe Bet

Glass noodles + veggies + a little beef + sesame oil = the dish that disappears first at every party. Sweet, savory, and somehow always gone before you get seconds.

● Hangwa: Fancy Traditional Sweets

These honey cookies and rice puffs are basically edible art. They take forever to make, so appreciate every bite. Most families just buy them now, but homemade ones? Chef's kiss.

■ Games That Get Competitive Fast

Yutnori: The Addictive Board Game

Four wooden sticks + one cloth board = hours of surprisingly intense gameplay. You toss the sticks, they land in different patterns, you move your pieces. Sounds simple. IT'S NOT. Entire families turn into trash-talkers over this game. Best part? You don't need to speak fluent Korean to play. The chaos is universal.

Jegichagi: Korean Hacky Sack

Kick a weighted shuttlecock. Keep it in the air. Look ridiculous trying. Laugh a lot. That's the game.

Neolttwigi: The Human Launcher

Two people, one wooden plank, lots of jumping. The goal is to launch your partner as high as possible. You'll mostly see this at folk villages now, but it's wild to watch.

Hwatu: The Card Game

Colorful flower cards everywhere? That's hwatu. Technically gambling is illegal, but during Seollal, "small friendly bets" (coffee money) happen. Nobody expects you to be good at it—just enjoy the chaos.

▪ Practical Tips for Teachers

Check Your Work Schedule NOW

Public schools? You're golden—automatic 3-day break. Hagwons? It's... complicated. Some close the whole week. Others want makeup classes. Check with your director ASAP so you're not surprised.

Book Travel Early (Or Don't Travel)

Seollal = Korea's biggest travel period ever. Train tickets sell out in MINUTES. Flights get insanely expensive. Traffic jams last for hours. If you want to travel: Book at least a month early. Use Korail, Kobus, or Naver Map. If you miss the window: Stay local. Empty Seoul is actually kind of peaceful and cool.

What's Closed?

Most things. Banks, post offices, government offices, and tons of restaurants close so people can be with family. Stock up on groceries before Feb 16! What's OPEN: Convenience stores (24/7, thank you GS25), big shopping malls, and major tourist spots.

Learn These Phrases

  • Saehae bok mani badeuseyo = "Happy New Year!" (The official greeting)
  • Jal meokkessseumnida = "I'll eat well" (before eating)
  • Jal meogeosseumnida = "I ate well" (after meals)

Bringing Gifts?

If you're invited somewhere, bring fruit (pears, apples), traditional sweets, or snacks from your home country. Use both hands when giving. Avoid knives/scissors or sets of four (unlucky).

What If You Get Sick During the Holiday?

Most regular clinics and pharmacies close during Seollal, but don't panic—Korea has you covered: Emergency Pharmacies & Hospitals: The government runs a holiday duty pharmacy and hospital system. Check these sites for locations near you that are open during Seollal:
  • E-Gen Emergency Medical Portal: https://www.e-gen.or.kr/egen/holiday_medical.do - Official holiday duty pharmacy/hospital locator (명절 병원·약국 찾기)
  • Pharm114 (Holiday Pharmacy Locator): https://www.pharm114.or.kr - Run by Korean Pharmaceutical Association for holiday pharmacies
  • Emergency Medical Info App: Download "응급의료정보제공" app for GPS-based hospital/pharmacy search
  • 129 Health Hotline: Call 129 for health information and holiday hospital/pharmacy locations
  • 119 Emergency Services: Call 119 for medical emergencies (English support available)
Pro tip: Take a screenshot of the nearest duty pharmacy/hospital BEFORE the holiday starts, so you're not scrambling if you feel sick. For more info on navigating Korean pharmacies and what over-the-counter meds to have on hand, check out our complete guide to Korean pharmacies for English teachers.

■ Use Seollal in Your English Classes

Quick Lesson Ideas:

Cultural Comparison: "How is Seollal different from New Year in your country?" Creative Writing: "Explain Seollal to an alien" or "Invite a foreign friend to your family's celebration" Vocabulary: ancestor, prosperity, ritual, tradition, reunion, fortune, harvest Presentations: Have students explain one Seollal tradition in English (great for public speaking practice!) Hands-On: Teach yutnori rules in English, design New Year cards, or draw-and-label Seollal foods

▪ How to Spend Your Break

The Adventurer

Escape Korea! Southeast Asia is close and cheap in February. Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines—take your pick. Or hit up Japan for winter vibes, onsens, and ramen.

The Culture Nerd

Visit folk villages (Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Namsangol Hanok Village in Seoul). They do special Seollal events—tteokguk making, hanbok wearing, traditional performances. Very Instagrammable.

The Homebody

Sometimes the best vacation is... doing nothing. Sleep in, binge K-dramas, catch up on lesson plans, explore that coffee shop you always walk past. With everyone gone, Seoul is eerily peaceful.

The Social Butterfly ◈

Check expat Facebook groups or Meetup for Seollal potlucks. Everyone brings food from their home country. It's chaotic, international, and honestly pretty fun when you're far from home.

■ Things That Might Surprise You

The Age Situation: Everyone gets one year older on Seollal, not on their birthday. Wild, right? Don't freak out when your students suddenly claim to be a year older overnight. (Note: This traditional counting system is being phased out officially, but it still pops up during holidays.) Traffic = National Obsession: Korean news dedicates HOURS to highway updates during Seollal. Families plan their travel like military operations. Avoid driving on Feb 16 morning or Feb 18 evening unless you love sitting in traffic. Hanbok Everywhere: You'll see families in traditional dress at temples, parks, even the subway. Many places rent hanbok for the day, and you get free palace admission if you're wearing one. Do it for the 'gram. Old Traditions Making a Comeback: Young Koreans are reviving Seollal customs in modern ways—fusion tteokguk, YouTube yutnori tutorials, stylish hanbok designs. Culture evolving in real-time? You love to see it.

▪ The Bottom Line

Seollal is your chance to see Korean culture at its most authentic. Whether you're watching charye ceremonies, destroying a bowl of tteokguk, or getting absolutely wrecked at yutnori by a 7-year-old, you're experiencing something real. Yeah, being far from home during holidays can hit different. But that's also what makes this experience special. You're not just teaching English in Korea—you're living it. So embrace the chaos, eat all the jeon, practice your bow, and start the lunar new year right. Saehae bok mani badeuseyo! May your Year of the Horse be filled with good health, great kimchi, and zero traffic jams.