Children's Day Description
Children's Day (어린이날, Eorininal) on May 5th is a beloved public holiday in South Korea dedicated to celebrating children and promoting their happiness and well-being. It was established by the children's rights activist Bang Jeong-hwan in 1923 and designated a public holiday in 1975. On this day, parents typically give gifts, and families spend the day at amusement parks (Everland, Lotte World), zoos, children's museums, parks, and movie theaters — all of which are extremely crowded. Special events, performances, and free or discounted admissions are common at cultural venues. Government offices, banks, and schools are closed. Many private companies also close or operate reduced hours. Restaurants, especially family-friendly chains, are very busy throughout the day. Public transport operates on a holiday schedule. In 2026, May 5th falls on a Tuesday, making it a single break day. Some parents may take the preceding Monday off to create a four-day weekend with the preceding Buddha's Birthday weekend (late April/early May depending on lunar calendar).
