Korea by Season: Weather, Holidays and When to Go

This hub helps you choose dates and pack for them. It uses the Korea Meteorological Administration's official climate normals for weather and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute's calendar for public holidays. Month guides go further: what to wear, what closes, which festivals have confirmed dates, and how long the days are.

What this section covers

• Weather by month. Average highs, lows and rain for Seoul, Busan and Jeju, from KMA normals for 1991–2020 (KMA).
• Holidays. Dates of 설날SeollalLunar New Year, 추석ChuseokHarvest festival and other public holidays, and what changes on those days.
• Month guides. All 12 months are covered, plus guides to autumn foliage and the cherry blossom season.
• Crowds and prices. The Korea Tourism Organization names July to August and December to January as peak seasons, when flights cost more (VisitKorea).

The three tasks to do first

1. Check the weather for your month. Compare the average high and low, not just the average, and pack layers.
2. Check holidays during your dates. Seollal 2027 runs from Saturday 6 February to Tuesday 9 February, including the substitute holiday (KASI). Trains and roads are busy before and after. See Korea in February.
3. Read the month guide. October and November cover autumn leaves and festivals, December covers Christmas and year-end, January covers the coldest weeks and ice festivals, February covers Seollal closures, March and April cover early spring and cherry blossoms, and May, June, July, August and September cover holidays, the rainy season, heat, typhoons and Chuseok.

The seasons in brief

• Spring (March to May): cool mornings, mild afternoons, more rain in May.
• Summer (June to August): hot and humid. The rainy season, 장마jangmaRainy season, normally reaches Seoul around 25 June (KMA).
• Autumn (September to November): clear and dry; coats by November in Seoul.
• Winter (December to February): cold and dry. Seoul's average low is below freezing in all three months.

Winter days are short. On 1 January 2027 the sun rises in Seoul at 07:47 and sets at 17:24 (KASI). Plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep museums, markets and cafés for the evening.

Start here

1. Open weather by month and note the range for your dates.
2. Check the holiday table on the same page.
3. Read the guide for your month.
4. If you plan to travel between cities on a holiday, read KTX and trains and book early.