Korea officially follows the Gregorian calendar, though some holidays are based on the lunar calendar of the Orient.
Koreans observe their holidays in a variety of ways. Festival days in the countryside are observed according to traditional customs. In the cities, many people celebrate these traditional holiday customs with parties and family gatherings.

1 January     New Year Day

25-27 January     Lunar Calendar New Year Holidays ( 1 Feb. is the Lunar New Year Day this year.)

1 March                               Independence Movement Day (Samiljol)

1 May                                  Labour Day ( schools open but banks close on this day )

2 May in 2009                  Buddha's Birthday ( 8th day of the 4th month in the lunar calendar )

5 May                                  Children's Day

6 June                                 War Memorial Day

17 July                                Constitution Day

15 August                           Liberation Day

2-3 October             Chusok ( thanksgiving: the 8th full moon of the lunar calendar )

3 October                           Gaechonjol(Foundation Day)

25 December                    Christmas

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