Seoul Lunar New Year Guide 2025: Complete Seollal Experience from Traditions to Festivals
Lunar New Year 2025 is just 5 weeks away. This year, Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) falls on January 29th, with the official public holiday running from January 28th to 30th. With the government designating January 27th as a temporary holiday, you'll get an extended 6-day break from January 25th to 30th.
Something special happens in Seoul during this time. Four major palaces open for free, traditional performances fill Namsangol Hanok Village, and the smell of tteokguk (rice cake soup) wafts through traditional market alley ways.
From a trend perspective, 2025's Seollal embraces "modern reinterpretation of tradition." Naver search data shows 'Seollal experience' keywords up 58% year-over-year, with foreign tourists in their 20s and 30s increasingly participating in hanbok experiences and traditional games.
What is Seollal? Understanding Korea's Lunar New Year
Seollal is the first day of the lunar calendar - Korea's most important holiday. It's also called Spring Festival or Gujeong (舊正, old calendar New Year).
Why This Moment Matters
This year's Seollal holiday is record-breaking in length. Running from January 25th (Saturday) through 30th (Thursday) - a full 6 days - Seoul's major tourist sites have scheduled concentrated special programs. Previous years saw just 3-day holidays, but government policy has created this extended break.
Core Traditions
- Sebae: Family members gather early morning to bow to elders. Elders give cash gifts (sebaetdon) and blessings in return.
- Charye: Dawn ancestral rites where families prepare ritual foods like tteokguk, vegetables, and jeon (savory pancakes).
- Tteokguk: White rice cake soup eaten on New Year's morning. Koreans say "you age one year with each bowl of tteokguk."
- Traditional Games: Yutnori (wooden stick throwing game), jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking), and kite flying.
Free Palace Admission: Experience Royal Seollal
Seoul's four major palaces and Jongmyo Shrine open free during the 2025 Seollal holiday.
Gyeongbokgung Sehwa Event (Jan 28-30)
At Heungnyemun Square, witness 'Sehwa' - the Joseon Dynasty royal New Year's ritual.
- Times: 11 AM, 2 PM (twice daily)
- Program: Royal court music ensemble, Sehwa painting distribution
- Pro Tip: Combine with the Changing of the Guard ceremony at 10 AM and 2 PM for the full experience.
Gyeongbokgung is Seoul's largest palace. The courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon Hall is perfect for photos with other hanbok-clad tourists. During Seollal, hanbok rental shops (Bukchon, Insadong) require advance reservations.
Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung & Jongmyo
All four sites open free (normally ₩3,000 admission).
- Changdeokgung: Secret Garden (Huwon) tours require advance booking. Seollal day slots fill quickly.
- Deoksugung: Tour the palace with Seokjojeon Western-style building. Less crowded after 4 PM.
- Jongmyo: Royal ancestral shrine with solemn atmosphere.
Practical Tips
- Visit 9-10 AM: Fewer crowds, better light
- Subway: Line 3 Gyeongbokgung or Anguk stations
- Wear hanbok: 200% better photos
Namsangol Hanok Village: Traditional Games & Performances Hub
'New Year Flower Lantern Festival' runs throughout the Seollal holiday at Namsangol Hanok Village.
Program Highlights
- Traditional Performances: Acrobatics (tightrope walking, samulnori), Korean traditional music
- Experience Booths: Yutnori, jegichagi, top spinning, rice cake making
- Hours: 11 AM - 4 PM
- Location: 28 Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Admission: Free
Namsangol Hanok Village reconstructs 5 traditional Korean houses. Each represents different social classes - from aristocrat to commoner homes.
Yutnori Experience
Seollal's signature game. Throw four wooden sticks and move game pieces based on results. Simple rules, mix of luck and strategy makes it fun.
- Do (1 space), Gae (2), Geol (3), Yut (4), Mo (5)
- Foreign tourists welcome to join
Timing Strategy
- 11 AM-12 PM: Opening performances, shorter experience booth waits
- 2-4 PM: Peak crowds
- Evening: Take Namsan cable car to N Seoul Tower for night views
Tteokguk Restaurants: Experiencing Seollal Food Culture
Tteokguk is a must-eat Seollal morning dish. Thinly sliced white rice cakes simmered in broth. Tradition says "you age one year after eating tteokguk."
Gwangjang Market Tteokguk Alley (24-Hour)
Seoul's most famous tteokguk street.
- Location: Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1) Exit 8
- Price: ₩5,000-8,000
- Recommended: Sundae-guk + tteokguk combo
- Hours: 24 hours (open even on Seollal day)
Gwangjang Market is one of few traditional markets operating during Seollal. Visit at 5 AM to see market vendors eating tteokguk.
Mangwon Market Kalguksu Shops
Hand-cut noodles with rice cake pieces added - 'kaltteok-guk' specialty.
- Location: Mangwon Station (Line 6) Exit 1
- Price: Around ₩6,000
- Hours: 8 AM - 8 PM (confirm Seollal closure)
Practical Tips
- Most restaurants close on Seollal day (Jan 29)
- Major traditional markets like Gwangjang and Namdaemun stay open
- Convenience stores sell cup ramyeon tteokguk (emergency option)
Hanbok Experience: Feel Seollal in Traditional Dress
Visiting palaces in hanbok during Seollal elevates the experience 200%.
Hanbok Rental Hotspots
Bukchon Hanok Village
- Price: ₩20,000-40,000 (4-hour rental)
- Advantage: Near palaces. 10-minute walk to Gyeongbokgung.
- Reservation: Essential! Seollal slots book out 1 week ahead.
Insadong Hanbok Street
- Price: ₩15,000-30,000
- Advantage: Diverse designs from traditional to modern.
- Photo Ops: Combine with Insadong traditional teahouses for perfect shots.
Hanbok Selection Tips
- Men: Get sets including durumagi (overcoat)
- Women: Saekdong jeogori (colorful stripes) photographs beautifully
- Weather Prep: Late January Seoul averages -2 to 5°C. Thermal underwear essential!
Traditional Markets: Seollal Shopping Culture
Koreans shop at traditional markets before Seollal to prepare charye (ancestral rite) foods.
Namdaemun Market
- Peak Days: Jan 26-27 (right before Seollal)
- See: Vegetables, jeon (pancakes), hangwa (traditional sweets)
- Crowds: 10 AM - 2 PM busiest
Pre-Seollal Namdaemun gets incredibly crowded. But that bustling atmosphere IS Seollal culture.
Mangwon Market
- Character: Local neighborhood market, not touristy
- Recommended Route: Market tour then Manglidangil cafes
Additional Experience Programs
N Seoul Tower Traditional Games
- Dates: Jan 28-30
- Activities: Free yutnori, jegichagi
- Performance: 3 PM Korean traditional arts show
- Observatory: Paid admission (₩16,000)
Unhyeongung 'Great Fortune Seollal Festival'
- Dates: Jan 28-30
- Hours: 11 AM - 4 PM
- Program: Traditional games, performances
- Location: 464 Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Cheong Wa Dae Blue Lantern Seollal
- Booking: Online advance reservation required
- Special: Evening garden walk carrying traditional lanterns
- Note: Reservations fill quickly
Practical Traveler Guide
Transportation
Jan 28-30 sees massive migration as Koreans visit hometowns.
- Subway: Normal service (slightly longer intervals)
- Buses: Some routes reduced service
- Taxis: Hard to find. Kakao T app essential
- Highways: Severe congestion Jan 28 AM, Jan 30 PM
Business Hours Check
- Most restaurants/cafes: Closed Jan 29 (Seollal day)
- Convenience stores: 24-hour operation
- Department stores/malls: Closed or reduced hours
- Traditional markets: Gwangjang, Namdaemun partially open
Accommodation Prices
Seollal isn't peak tourist season. Koreans leave Seoul for hometowns, so hotel prices actually drop below normal.
Weather Preparation
- Average temps: Low -3°C, High 5°C
- Dress: Padded jacket, scarf, gloves essential
- Note: Palaces and hanok villages are outdoors - dress warmly
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What can I do in Seoul on Seollal day itself (Jan 29)?
A: Four major palaces, Namsangol Hanok Village, and N Seoul Tower stay open. However, most restaurants close - stick to Gwangjang Market or convenience stores for food. Main programs are Gyeongbokgung Sehwa ceremony and Namsangol Flower Lantern Festival.
Q: Can foreigners experience sebae (New Year's bow)?
A: Namsangol Hanok Village and Korea House demonstrate sebae and teach the proper bowing technique. If you have Korean friends, getting invited to their home is best.
Q: Is hanbok rental reservation necessary?
A: Absolutely essential during Seollal. January 26-27 especially - nearly impossible without booking. Reserve online or by phone 1 week ahead.
Q: Any precautions eating tteokguk?
A: Rice cakes can be choking hazards - chew slowly and carefully. Especially watch children and elderly diners. Koreans eat it with kimchi.
Q: Is there tipping culture during Seollal?
A: Korea has no tipping culture. Same during Seollal. No tips expected at hotels, restaurants, anywhere.
Final Thoughts: Don't Miss 2025's Seollal
Seoul's 2025 Seollal coincides with a record 6-day holiday - a special opportunity.
Must-Do Top 3
- Free Palace Entry: Gyeongbokgung Sehwa event + hanbok experience
- Namsangol Hanok Village: Participate in traditional games
- Bowl of Tteokguk: 24-hour Gwangjang Market shops
Seollal offers the best opportunity to experience the essence of Korean culture. Come to Seoul January 28-30, 2025. Feel Korea's Lunar New Year where tradition and modernity coexist.
Happy New Year! 🧧
