Seollal 2026: Korean Lunar New Year Traditions And Phrases Explained

If I had to pick just one holiday that every Korean looks forward to all year, it would be Seollal (설날). Seollal is the Korean Lunar New Year, a three-day official public holiday when millions of South Koreans travel home to celebrate with family members, honor ancestor spirits, and eat traditional foods like tteokguk rice cake soup.

In this post, I'll walk you through the traditions, foods, and customs that make Seollal the most important celebration in Korean culture.

Seollal vs. New Year

South Korea celebrates both January 1st and Seollal, but the two holidays couldn't be more different in meaning and tradition. The New year on January 1st follows the standard Gregorian calendar and is a single-day public holiday. The celebrations mirror Western traditions: countdowns, fireworks, parties with friends, and staying up late to watch the new year arrive.

On the other hand, Seollal follows the lunar calendar and is a three-day national holiday rooted in family and tradition. Most Koreans consider Seollal their "real" new year because it connects to the lunar calendar that governed Korean life for centuries. Under the traditional Korean age system, everyone gained a year of age during Seollal, not on individual birthdays.

What Is Seollal?

Seollal is the Korean Lunar New Year, South Korea's most important traditional holiday. Based on the Korean lunar calendar, Seollal typically falls between late January and mid-February and is celebrated as a three-day official public holiday. This 2026, Seollal will happen on February 17th.

While Seollal shares similarities with other Lunar New Year celebrations in Asia, like China's Spring Festival or Vietnam's Tet, Korean culture has shaped this holiday into something distinctly its own. The celebration revolves around honoring ancestors, strengthening family bonds, and welcoming good fortune for the year ahead.

What Are Seollal Traditions?

Preparing for Seollal

The Seollal holiday period starts with daecheongso (대청소), a deep cleaning of the entire house. This tradition symbolizes sweeping away bad luck from the past year and welcoming good fortune for the year ahead.

Another important part of the celebration is shopping for 2 main categories: gifts and food. Koreans buy premium gift sets called seonnmul (선물) for family members and relatives—think ginseng, premium tea, Korean beef, or fruit boxes. Most of the locals also stock up on tteokguk (떡국) ingredients like:

• Garae-tteok (가래떡) - long cylindrical rice cakes that get sliced into oval shapes
• Beef or beef broth for the traditional soup base
• Eggs, typically beaten and made into thin strips for garnish
• Green onions, garlic, and gim (김) or roasted seaweed
• Mandu (만두) or Korean dumplings, often added to the soup

Aside from tteokguk, families prepare ingredients for jeon (전), the savory pancakes that appear at every Seollal table, plus various side dishes and festive foods to feed the family members gathering for the three-day holiday.

Wearing Hanbok

During Seollal, many South Koreans wear hanbok (한복), traditional Korean attire that adds elegance and cultural significance to the celebration. The bright colors and flowing designs represent good fortune and respect for Korean culture. While modern clothing dominates everyday life, festive occasions like the Seollal holiday bring hanbok back into focus.

Hanbok consists of jeogori (저고리), the upper garment, and chima (치마) for women or baji (바지) for men as the bottom piece. Children often wear the most colorful versions during Seollal, especially when performing the deep traditional bow to elders.

Visitors can rent or purchase hanbok from traditional clothing shops in neighborhoods like Insadong or Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul. Many palaces and cultural sites offer free admission to anyone wearing hanbok during the holiday period, making it both a cultural experience and a practical choice for exploring South Korea during Seollal.

Ancestral Rites (Charye 차례)

One of the most sacred Seollal traditions is charye (차례), ancestral rites performed on the first morning of the lunar new year holiday. Families set up a ceremonial table called jesa-sang (제사상) filled with traditional foods as offerings to honor ancestor spirits. The ritual table follows specific arrangements: rice and soup in certain positions, fish facing east, meat facing west, and fruits displayed by color and type.

Common foods on the charye table include tteokguk rice cake soup, jeon (savory pancakes), dried fish, fruits, rice wine called cheongju (청주), and various side dishes. Each placement carries meaning and follows traditions passed down through generations. Male relatives typically lead the ceremony while female relatives prepare the elaborate spread of food.

New Year’s Bow (Sebae 세배)

Sebae (세배) is the deep traditional bow that children and younger family members perform to their elders on Seollal morning. This formal bow, done while kneeling, expresses respect and gratitude. The person bowing says "saehae bok mani badeuseyo" (새해 복 많이 받으세요), meaning "please receive much fortune in the new year."

Elders typically reward the bow with sebaetdon (세뱃돈), new year's money tucked into colorful envelopes, along with words of wisdom and blessings for the year ahead. The amount varies but the gesture represents sharing good fortune across generations.

Sebae happens after charye and before eating tteokguk. For many Korean children, collecting sebaetdon from various relatives throughout the holiday period becomes one of the most anticipated parts of Seollal celebrations.

What To Eat During Seollal?

Tteokguk (떡국)

One of the most iconic dishes of Seollal is tteokguk, a warm and comforting rice cake soup. Eating tteokguk on Seollal is more than just a meal; it symbolizes gaining a year in age and welcoming the New Year with a fresh start. The dish consists of thinly sliced rice cakes in a savory broth, often garnished with egg, green onions, and sometimes beef or seaweed.

Other Traditional Dishes and Snacks

• Jeon (전): These are savory pancakes made with ingredients like seafood, meat, or vegetables, and are a staple on the Seollal table. Pajeon (green onion pancake) and kimchi jeon (kimchi pancake) are popular choices.
• Galbijjim (갈비찜): Braised short ribs cooked in a sweet and savory sauce, often served during special occasions.
• Yakgwa (약과): A traditional honey cookie with a chewy texture and a sweet flavor, perfect as a holiday treat.
• Songpyeon (송편): Half-moon-shaped rice cakes traditionally eaten during Chuseok but sometimes enjoyed during Seollal as well.

Traditional Games and Activities In Seollal

Yutnori (윷놀이)

One of the most popular Seollal games is yutnori, a traditional Korean board game that’s fun for the whole family. Played with four wooden sticks (called yut) and a game board, the goal is to move your markers around the board by throwing the sticks, which determine your moves based on how they land.

How to Play:

1. Divide into teams and take turns throwing the four sticks.
2. The number of sticks landing face-up determines how far you can move your marker.
3. Strategize to block opponents or take shortcuts to finish first.

Yutnori is not just a game but a way to bring families together, filled with laughter and friendly competition.

Other Cultural Activities

Seollal is also a time for enjoying outdoor activities that reflect Korea’s rich traditions:

• Flying Kites (Yeon-nalligi 연날리기): Families gather to fly beautifully designed kites, a fun and symbolic way to welcome the New Year.
  
• Spinning Tops (Paeng-i 돌리기): Children (and even adults) enjoy spinning traditional wooden tops, which is both entertaining and nostalgic.

Other Local Events

Foreigners can experience these activities by visiting cultural centers or local Seollal events:

• Many museums and cultural heritage sites host interactive sessions where you can learn yutnori, try kite-making, or participate in other traditional games.
  
• Parks and public spaces may hold Seollal-themed festivities, offering a chance to fly kites or enjoy performances like traditional drumming and dance.

These activities are not only a great way to learn about Korean culture but also an opportunity to connect with locals and other visitors during the holiday.

Do’s and Don’ts During Seollal For Foreigners

Experiencing Seollal as a foreigner can be incredibly rewarding, but understanding basic etiquette helps you navigate the holiday period respectfully. Many Korean friends and hosts appreciate when visitors show genuine interest in their traditions while being mindful of cultural sensitivities.

Here's what to keep in mind during the Korean Lunar New Year.

If you’re not celebrating Seollal with a family, you can still enjoy traditional dishes through these:

• Visit traditional Korean restaurants offering special Seollal menus during the holiday period
• Explore food markets like Gwangjang Market in Seoul for traditional Korean dishes and snacks
• Attend cooking workshops at cultural centers or Seollal events

Even if you’re abroad, many Korean grocery stores sell pre-packaged tteok (rice cakes) and other ingredients, so you can try making tteokguk at home!

Useful Korean Phrases For Seollal

You can use these phrases to connect with Koreans during Seollal and show your respect for their culture:

1. 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (Saehae bok mani badeuseyo)

Meaning: Wishing you a happy new year!
This is the most common greeting during Seollal. It's used to wish others good fortune in the upcoming year.

2. 설날 잘 보내세요 (Seollal jal bonaeseyo)

Meaning: Have a great Seollal!
This is another way to wish someone well during the holiday, specifically focusing on the celebration itself.

3. 건강하고 행복하세요 (Geonganghago haengbokhaseyo)

Meaning: Wishing you health and happiness!
A heartfelt wish for good health and happiness, perfect for the new year.

4 .새해에도 잘 부탁드립니다 (Saehae-edo jal butakdeurimnida)

Meaning: I look forward to working with you in the new year.
A polite phrase used when interacting with colleagues or acquaintances.

5. 가족과 함께 즐거운 시간 되세요 (Gajokgwa hamkke jeulgeoun sigan doeseyo)

Meaning: Have a wonderful time with your family.
A warm greeting for families celebrating together.

6. 새해에는 모든 일이 잘 되길 바랍니다 (Saehae-eneun modeun iri jal doegil barabnida)

Meaning: I hope everything goes well for you in the new year.
A thoughtful wish for success and prosperity in the coming year.

Ready To Celebrate Korean New Year Seollal?

Seollal is a special time in Korea, filled with traditions like family gatherings, delicious food, and fun games. Whether you’re in Korea or abroad, you can enjoy the celebrations by learning about the key traditions, trying traditional dishes, and using polite phrases to wish others a happy New Year.

If you want to learn more about Korean culture and language, Lingopie is a great resource. With Lingopie, you can watch Korean TV shows and movies to practice your Korean language skills while learning about local traditions like Seollal.

Try Lingopie today to immerse yourself in Korean culture and language! Also, check out our Korean blog for more educational articles like this one!

Frequently Asked Questions About Korean New Year Seollal

1. Is the Lunar New Year the same as Seollal?

Yes, Seollal is the Korean celebration of the Lunar New Year. It’s a special holiday that marks the start of the new lunar calendar year, and it’s celebrated with traditional customs and family gatherings in Korea.

2. How long is Seollal in Korea?

Seollal is usually celebrated for 3 days: the day before, the day of, and the day after the New Year. The main events take place on the first day, but the entire period is a time for family and rest.

3. What do Koreans do for Seollal?

Koreans celebrate Seollal by performing rituals like charye (ancestor rites), wearing traditional clothing called hanbok, playing traditional games like yutnori, and eating special foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup) to welcome the new year.

4. What do Koreans do on January 1st?

On January 1st, Koreans celebrate the Western New Year with parties and fireworks, but Seollal typically falls on a different date based on the lunar calendar, which can vary from year to year. January 1st is a regular day for most people in Korea.