A Guide to Traditional Korean Festivals

Every culture has its own unique ways of celebrating holidays and festivals. In Korea, the traditional festivals have been celebrated for centuries, and they are still observed today. From the colorful and vibrant Lunar New Year to the more solemn Chuseok, these traditional Korean festivals provide an opportunity for families and friends to come together, enjoy good food, and celebrate the passing of the seasons. Here is a guide to the most popular traditional Korean festivals.

Lunar New Year (Seollal)

Lunar New Year or Seollal is one of the biggest and most important traditional Korean festivals. It is celebrated on the first day of the Lunar New Year and marks the beginning of the new year. Koreans usually greet each other with the phrase “새해 복 많이 받으세요” which translates to “Have a blessed and prosperous new year.” During the Lunar New Year, Koreans participate in a variety of activities including traditional games, a ceremonial ancestral ritual called Charye, and the wearing of traditional hanbok garments.

One of the most important parts of the Lunar New Year is the preparation of the traditional foods. Koreans prepare an array of traditional dishes including tteokguk (rice cake soup), jeon (Korean pancakes), and jjigae (Korean stew). As part of the festivities, families gather together for a feast to celebrate the new year.

The Lunar New Year is also a time for Koreans to reflect on the past year and set new goals for the new year. During the Lunar New Year, many families visit their ancestors’ graves and offer prayers for the departed. This traditional ritual is an important part of the holiday and is a reminder for Koreans to be thankful for the blessings they have received.

Chuseok (Harvest Moon Festival)

Chuseok or the Harvest Moon Festival is one of the most important traditional Korean festivals. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month and marks the end of the harvest season. During the festival, families gather together to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and enjoy traditional foods. The most popular traditional dishes are songpyeon (rice cake), japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), and jeon (Korean pancakes).

In addition to feasting, Chuseok is also a time for families to reconnect with each other and honor their ancestors. On Chuseok, families visit their ancestral home to honor their ancestors with a traditional ritual called Charye. During the ritual, food is prepared and offered to the ancestors as a sign of respect and gratitude.

Chuseok is also a time for families to take part in various activities and games. Koreans play traditional games such as yutnori (a traditional board game), ssireum (Korean wrestling), and jegichagi (Korean hacky sack). These activities provide an opportunity for families to bond and enjoy a festive day together.

Dano (Fifth Day of the Fifth Lunar Month)

Dano or the fifth day of the fifth lunar month is one of the oldest traditional Korean festivals. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and marks the beginning of summer. During this festival, Korean families gather together to celebrate the coming of summer and enjoy a variety of traditional activities and games. One of the most popular activities is the swinging of a swing. Koreans believe that swinging on the swing brings good luck and prosperity.

In addition to swinging, Koreans also take part in other traditional activities such as yunnori (a traditional board game), ssireum (Korean wrestling), and jegichagi (Korean hacky sack). These activities are a great way for families to enjoy a festive day together. Dano is also a time for Koreans to honor their ancestors and enjoy traditional foods such as tteokguk (rice cake soup) and jeon (Korean pancakes).

Dano is a festive and joyful time for Korean families to come together and celebrate the coming of summer. It is a time for families to give thanks for the blessings of the past year and look forward to a new and prosperous year ahead.

Daeboreum (First Full Moon of the Lunar Year)

Daeboreum or the first full moon of the lunar year is one of the traditional Korean festivals. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month and marks the beginning of spring. During this festival, Korean families gather together to celebrate the coming of spring and enjoy a variety of traditional activities and games. One of the most popular activities is the lighting of bamboo torches. Koreans believe that lighting the torches brings good luck and prosperity.

In addition to lighting the torches, Koreans also take part in other traditional activities such as yunnori (a traditional board game), ssireum (Korean wrestling), and jegichagi (Korean hacky sack). These activities are a great way for families to enjoy a festive day together. Daeboreum is also a time for Koreans to honor their ancestors and enjoy traditional foods such as tteokguk (rice cake soup) and jeon (Korean pancakes).

Daeboreum is a festive and joyful time for Korean families to come together and celebrate the coming of spring. It is a time for families to give thanks for the blessings of the past year and look forward to a new and prosperous year ahead.

Boknal (Three Dog Days)

Boknal or the three dog days are one of the traditional Korean festivals. It is celebrated on the three hottest days of the year and marks the end of summer. During this festival, Korean families gather together to ward off the heat of summer and enjoy a variety of traditional activities and games. One of the most popular activities is the drinking of a special beverage called sikhye. Koreans believe that drinking the sikhye helps to cool the body and ward off the heat of summer.

In addition to drinking sikhye, Koreans also take part in other traditional activities such as yunnori (a traditional board game), ssireum (Korean wrestling), and jegichagi (Korean hacky sack). These activities are a great way for families to enjoy a festive day together. Boknal is also a time for Koreans to honor their ancestors and enjoy traditional foods such as tteokguk (rice cake soup) and jeon (Korean pancakes).

Boknal is a festive and joyful time for Korean families to come together and ward off the heat of summer. It is a time for families to give thanks for the blessings of the past year and look forward to a new and prosperous year ahead.

Hangawi (Mid-Autumn Festival)

Hangawi or the mid-autumn festival is one of the traditional Korean festivals. It is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month and marks the end of the harvest season. During this festival, Korean families gather together to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and enjoy traditional foods. The most popular traditional dishes are songpyeon (rice cake), japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), and jeon (Korean pancakes).

In addition to feasting, Hangawi is also a time for families to reconnect with each other and honor their ancestors. On Hangawi, families visit their ancestral home to honor their ancestors with a traditional ritual called Charye. During the ritual, food is prepared and offered to the ancestors as a sign of respect and gratitude.

Hangawi is also a time for families to take part in various activities and games. Koreans play traditional games such as yutnori (a traditional board game), ssireum (Korean wrestling), and jegichagi (Korean hacky sack). These activities provide an opportunity for families to bond and enjoy a festive day together.

Dano-je (Fifth Day of the Fifth Month Festival)

Dano-je or the fifth day of the fifth month festival is one of the oldest traditional Korean festivals. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and marks the beginning of summer. During this festival, Korean families gather together to celebrate the coming of summer and enjoy a variety of traditional activities and games. One of the most popular activities is the swinging of a swing. Koreans believe that swinging on the swing brings good luck and prosperity.

In addition to swinging, Koreans also take part in other traditional activities such as yunnori (a traditional board game), ssireum (Korean wrestling), and jegichagi (Korean hacky sack). These activities are a great way for families to enjoy a festive day together. Dano-je is also a time for Koreans to honor their ancestors and enjoy traditional foods such as tteokguk (rice cake soup) and jeon (Korean pancakes).

Dano-je is a festive and joyful time for Korean families to come together and celebrate the coming of summer. It is a time for families to give thanks for the blessings of the past year and look forward to a new and prosperous year ahead.

Samjinnal (First Day of Summer)

Samjinnal or the first day of summer is one of the traditional Korean festivals. It is celebrated on the first day of the sixth lunar month and marks the beginning of summer. During this festival, Korean families gather together to celebrate the coming of summer and enjoy a variety of traditional activities and games. One of the most popular activities is the making of a special paper called dungji. Koreans believe that making the dungji helps to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck and prosperity.

In addition to making the dungji, Koreans also take part in other traditional activities such as yunnori (a traditional board game), ssireum (Korean wrestling), and jegichagi (Korean hacky sack). These activities are a great way for families to enjoy a festive day together. Samjinnal is also a time for Koreans to honor their ancestors and enjoy traditional foods such as tteokguk (rice cake soup) and jeon (Korean pancakes).

Samjinnal is a festive and joyful time for Korean families to come together and celebrate the coming of summer. It is a time for families to give thanks for the blessings of the past year and look forward to a new and prosperous year ahead.

Chilseok (Seventh Day of the Seventh Month)

Chilseok or the seventh day of the seventh month is one of the traditional Korean festivals. It is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month and marks the end of summer. During this festival, Korean families gather together to ward off the heat of summer and enjoy a variety of traditional activities and games. One of the most popular activities is the floating of a paper boat. Koreans believe that floating the paper boat brings good luck and prosperity.

In addition to floating the paper boat, Koreans also take part in other traditional activities such as yunnori (a traditional board game), ssireum (Korean wrestling), and jegichagi (Korean hacky sack). These activities are a great way for families to enjoy a festive day together. Chilseok is also a time for Koreans to honor their ancestors and enjoy traditional foods such as tteokguk (rice cake soup) and jeon (Korean pancakes).

Chilseok is a festive and joyful time for Korean families to come together and ward off the heat of summer. It is a time for families to give thanks for the blessings of the past year and look forward to a new and prosperous year ahead.

Jeongwol Daeboreum (Lunar New Year’s Day)

Jeongwol Daeboreum or the lunar new year’s day is one of the traditional Korean festivals. It is celebrated on the first day of the lunar new year and marks the beginning of the new year. Koreans usually greet each other with the phrase “새해 복 많이 받으세요” which translates to “Have a blessed and prosperous new year.” During the lunar new year, Koreans participate in a variety of activities including traditional games, a ceremonial ancestral ritual called Charye, and the wearing of traditional hanbok garments.

One of the most important parts of the lunar new year is the preparation of the traditional foods. Koreans prepare an array of traditional dishes including tteokguk (rice cake soup), jeon (Korean pancakes), and jjigae (Korean stew). As part of the festivities, families gather together for a feast to celebrate the new year.

The lunar new year is also a time for Koreans to reflect on the past year and set new goals for the new year. During the lunar new year, many families visit their ancestors’ graves and offer prayers for the departed. This traditional ritual is an important part of the holiday and is a reminder for Koreans to be thankful for the blessings they have received.

Gangneung Dano (Gangneung Festival of the Fifth Lunar Month)

Gangneung Dano or the Gangneung festival of the fifth lunar month is one of the traditional Korean festivals. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and marks the beginning of summer. During this festival, Korean families gather together to celebrate the coming of summer and enjoy a variety of traditional activities and games. One of the most popular activities is the burning of a stack of firewood. Koreans believe that burning the firewood brings good luck and prosperity.

In addition to burning the firewood, Koreans also take part in other traditional activities such as yunnori (a traditional board game), ssireum (Korean wrestling), and jegichagi (Korean hacky sack). These activities are a great way for families to enjoy a festive day together. Gangneung Dano is also a time for Koreans to honor their ancestors and enjoy traditional foods such as tteokguk (rice cake soup) and jeon (Korean pancakes).

Gangneung Dano is a festive and joyful time for Korean families to come together and celebrate the coming of summer. It is a time for families to give thanks for the blessings of the past year and look forward to a new and prosperous year ahead.

Buddha’s Birthday

Buddha’s birthday or Seokga tansinil is one of the traditional Korean festivals. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month and marks the birthday of the Buddha. During this festival, Korean families gather together to celebrate the life of the Buddha and enjoy a variety of traditional activities and games. One of the most popular activities is the making of lotus lanterns. Koreans believe that making the lotus lanterns brings good luck and prosperity.

In addition to making the lotus lanterns, Koreans also take part in other traditional activities such as yunnori (a traditional board game), ssireum (Korean wrestling), and jegichagi (Korean hacky sack). These activities are a great way for families to enjoy a festive day together.