List of Korean traditional festivals


Korean traditional festivals are the national and local festivals historically celebrated by Koreans.

Summary

FestivalSignificanceEventsDate Food
SeollalLunar New Year,, 1st day of first month,
DaeboreumFirst full moon,, 15th day of first month,,,
MeoseumnalFestival for servantsSinging, Dancing, Coming-of-age ceremony1st day of second month
YeongdeungjeCelebrating the god of wind First day of second monthFood for
SamjinnalCelebrating the coming of springArchery, Cockfighting, Fortune telling3rd day of third month,
HansikStart of farming seasonVisit to ancestral grave for offering rite, and cleaning and maintenance.105 days after Cold food only:,,
ChopailBuddha's birthdayLantern festival, hanging lanterns up and visiting the temple8th day of fourth monthDifferent types of, dumplings, fish dishes
DanoCelebration of spring and farmingWashing hair with,, swing, giving fans as gifts5th day of fifth monthVariety of, herb rice cakes
YuduWater greetingBathing and washing hair to get rid of bad luck 15th day of sixth monthNoodles
Hottest day of the summerHot dishes. Cold baths are believed to make people weak.Between sixth and seventh month
ChilseokMeeting day of Gyeonwu and Jiknyeo in Korean folk taleFabric weaving7th day of seventh month,
BaekjungTime with hundred of fruits' and vegetables' seedsResting, performing rituals15th day of seventh monthFood made of potato, flour, and wheat along with a variety of wild vegetables
ChuseokHarvest festival,, visiting ancestor graves15th day of eighth month,
JunguDouble Ninth Festival 9th day of ninth month,, yuja tea
SangdalgosaRitual performed to the House godsPerforming a ritual to the house gods, coiling a golden rope around the House, spreading a layer of red clay on the floorTenth monthVarious
SondolpoongRitual performed to appease the windUsually boatmen and fishermen perform for Sondol20th day of tenth monthRegular food for
DongjiWinter SolsticeRites to dispel bad spirits11th month
Seotdal GeumeumNew Year's EveCleaning up the house, Preparing for SeollalLast day of the yearFood for the next day, Seollal

Detailed description by lunar month

First

Second

  • Yongdeungje

Third

Fourth

Fifth

Sixth

*

Seventh

Eighth

Ninth

  • '''Jungu or Jungyangjeol'''

Tenth

  • '''Sangdalgosa'''

Sangdalgosa in different regions

In Nocheon-ri, Ungcheon-eup, Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do, the harvest is over and rice cakes are steamed in October to celebrate the rite. This is also called the "family rite". The meaning behind this name is the hope that the family will be at peace and the descendants will be well for 12 months a year. If the family rite is held in September, Jung-guil on September 9 of the lunar calendar is regarded as auspicious day. In addition, during the rite, six piles of red clay are planted on both sides of the gate to prevent unclean people from entering the house.
The steamed rice cake prepared at this time is called "House Siru". In case of excessive corruption and impurity, red beans are added to prevent damage. The red beans are not crushed but scattered on the steamer without being put on top. In families that are extremely dedicated to Chilseong, Chilseong Siru is steamed separately. Nowadays there are not many children who like rice cakes, and they do not hold a big rite, so they steam Doenjang-jjigae..
  • '''Sondolpoong or Sonseokpong'''

Eleventh

Twelfth