Seollal: Korea's Cherished Lunar New Year Celebration

Seollal (설날), Korea’s Lunar New Year, is one of the most significant traditional holidays in the country. It marks the first day of the Korean Lunar Calendar and is celebrated with a host of customs that honor family, ancestors, and tradition. Spanning multiple days, this holiday is a time of reunions, rituals, traditional foods, and joyful activities.

Seollal falls on the first day of the Lunar New Year, which typically occurs between late January and early February on the solar calendar. The exact date varies annually based on the lunar cycle. Although Lunar New Year is observed across Asia, each country has distinct ways of celebrating. In Korea, Seollal has unique traditions and practices that set it apart from its neighbors.

While modern holidays like Christmas in Korea are often spent with friends or on romantic outings, Seollal is a family-centric occasion. Like Chuseok, it brings together relatives who travel long distances to reunite in their hometowns. This surge in travel makes transportation highly congested during Seollal. Roads are packed, and tickets for trains, buses, and flights sell out quickly or become prohibitively expensive. For those planning to visit Korea during this festive period, early bookings are essential.

One of the most significant traditions during Seollal is 세배 (sebae), a deep ceremonial bow performed by younger family members to show respect to their elders. While bowing, they wish their elders a happy new year. In return, elders often give blessings and small amounts of money as a token of good fortune for the year ahead. Sebae is typically performed while wearing 한복 (hanbok), Korea’s traditional attire. Another key custom is 차례 (charye), the ancestral memorial service. Families prepare an elaborate table of food offerings to honor their ancestors, placing the ancestral tablets behind the table. This act of remembrance connects generations and reinforces familial bonds.

Seollal is more than just a holiday—it is a time of reflection, respect, and reconnection.

Happy Seollal!