Korea in February 2027: Seollal Dates, Closures and Weather

Source: KASI calendar data 2027, checked October 2026.

The Seollal holiday covers three days. Because one of them falls on a Sunday, the next working day becomes a substitute holiday, so most offices are closed from 6 to 9 February.

Travel between cities. Many Koreans travel to their family homes before and after Seollal. Trains and intercity buses sell out, and highways are slow. If you must travel between cities, book as early as you can and avoid 5–6 February and 8–9 February. See KTX and trains.

Shops and restaurants. Some small, family-run restaurants and shops close for one or more days, especially on Seollal itself. Large chains, convenience stores and many restaurants in tourist areas stay open. In Namdaemun Market, each arcade posts its own holiday closure schedule on the market's official site, as it did for Chuseok 2026.

Banks and offices. Banks, post offices and government offices close on public holidays (VisitKorea). Change money before 6 February.

Palaces. During Seollal 2026, the four palaces, Jongmyo, King Sejong's tomb site and the Joseon royal tombs stayed open on their usual closing days and admitted visitors free from 14 to 18 February. They then closed on 19 February instead. The Huwon (Secret Garden) special tour at Changdeokgung was not included (Korea Heritage Service). The 2026 notice was posted about four weeks before the holiday, so check the notice board in January 2027.

Useful signs on doors:

• 휴무hyumuClosed
• 설 연휴 휴무seol yeonhyu hyumuClosed for the Seollal holiday
• 정상영업jeongsang yeongeopOpen as usual
• 무료입장muryo ipjangFree admission

• Ipchun, 입춘IpchunStart of spring, on 4 February. A traditional calendar date, not a holiday.
• Jeongwol Daeboreum, 정월대보름Jeongwol DaeboreumFirst full moon of the lunar year, on Sunday 21 February. Not a public holiday; local events are announced separately.
• Independence Movement Day, 3·1절SamiljeolIndependence Movement Day, on Monday 1 March, which makes 27 February to 1 March a long weekend.

Source: KASI calendar data 2027.

Source: KMA climate normals 1991–2020, stations 108, 159 and 184 (KMA).

February is a little milder than January but still below freezing at night in Seoul. Pack the same winter clothes: a warm coat, hat, gloves and shoes with grip. In Seoul, February and March have the lowest humidity of the year (KMA), so bring lip balm and moisturizer.

Source: KASI monthly sunrise and sunset, checked October 2026.

• Daegwallyeong Snow Festival, Pyeongchang. The 2026 edition ran from 13 to 22 February 2026. The organizer had not published final 2027 dates as of 20 October 2026 (organizer).
• Pyeongchang Trout Festival. The 2026 edition ran until 9 February 2026 (organizer). 2027 dates were not yet posted.

See the Korea Tourism Organization's festival listings for events closer to your dates.

• Seoul for palaces, museums and markets. Plan market visits outside 6–9 February, and check palace notices for holiday opening. See the Seoul guide.
• Busan and Jeju for milder weather, with February highs around 10°C. Book flights and rooms early if your dates include the holiday.
• Gangwon Province for snow, skiing and the last of the winter festivals.