Pyongyang, DPR Korea Student-organized mass dance at the Indoor Stadium, Pyongyang. Usually held on holidays, mass dances take place at locations around Pyongyang and other cities, and can have anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand participants. Foreigner visitors are often encouraged to join in. © Carl De Keyzer - Magnum
The ultimate list to all the festivals in North Korea and list of all the holidays in North Korea in 2024.
(Including North Korea holiday dates).
We’ll also be answering the question… What is the biggest holiday in North Korea?
(Hint: Skip to the bottom!)
There are multiple holidays in North Korea celebrated throughout the year. Some will share ties with international festivals, some with South Korea… And others are unique festivals in North Korea. You won’t find these anywhere else!
Honestly… much like anywhere else in the world. Whether it’s a festival unique to North Korea or celebrated all over the world, what you will find as a commonality with all these festivals in North Korea is the festive cheer or way locals celebrate. With friends, family, and food! (And maybe some North Korean beer and soju, too!).
Some differences with festivals in North Korea, though are that they are rather traditional. Expect to see locals dressed in traditional Chosonot (traditional North Korean clothing). And expect to see traditional mass dances etc. Although, in recent years, more modern aspects have been coming into play. For example, the use of drone shows on New Year’s Eve!
Visiting North Korea during any of these times of celebration offers a unique insight into an otherwise unknown nation.
On these days, locals gather in the parks and there is a general vibe of joy and celebration. This extends to visitors, too, of course, who are often invited to join in a song or dance with the locals enjoying picnics in the park or mass dances in the square. Take a look at Michael Palin in North Korea for a fine example during May Day celebrations!
Seollal (설날), the Korean New Year, is a time for family reunions and paying homage to ancestors.
Celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar, Seollal involves various customs, including the New Year’s bow (Sebae), where younger family members bow to their elders, seeking blessings for the upcoming year.
Traditional games like Yutnori add a playful touch to the festivities, creating a lively atmosphere that transcends generations.
10th February 2024
29th January 2025
The Day of the Shining Star (김정일태양절) on February 16th honours the birth of Kim Jong Il. Celebrations include artistic performances, exhibitions, and various events that pay tribute to Kim Jong Il’s contributions.
Citizens express their respect and loyalty through cultural expressions and heartfelt commemorations.
16th Feb 2024
16th Feb 2025
International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8th, holds significance in North Korea, honouring the contributions and achievements of women.
Stemming from socialist principles, it’s a day celebrated with gatherings, relaxation, and mass dance events, where women come together to enjoy each other’s company in parks, cafes, or restaurants. Students and older women organize mass dance events to celebrate North Korean women’s spirit and resilience.
Notably, there’s a unique hotel dedicated to International Women’s Day, the March 8th Hotel in Sariwon, reflecting the country’s acknowledgement of the holiday’s importance.
8th March 2024
8th March 2025
April 15th is celebrated as the Day of the Sun, marking the birth anniversary of North Korea’s founding leader, Kim Il Sung.
It is one of the most important events in the North Korean calendar and you may expect to see elaborate events, mass dances, and ideological ceremonies that honour Kim Il Sung’s legacy on this revered day.
15th April 2024
15th April 2025
May Day (노동절) on May 1st is a global celebration of workers, and North Korea embraces this occasion with fervour.
The day involves parades, performances, and displays of workers’ solidarity, underscoring the nation’s commitment to the labour force and its achievements.
1st May 2024
1st May 2025
Victory Day on July 27 marks the signing of the Korean War Armistice in 1953. North Koreans enjoy a day off work, engaging in mass dances, picnics, and visits to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in Pyongyang.
It’s a time of national unity and remembrance.
27th July 2024
27th July 2025
Liberation Day, observed on August 15th, commemorates Korea’s freedom from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.
This significant day is celebrated nationwide in both North and South Korea, albeit with different names. In North Korea, it’s known as Jogukhaebangui Nal, while in South Korea, it’s referred to as Kwangbokjeol.
Despite the joy of liberation, it also signifies the beginning of the division between the two Koreas. Festivities include mass dances, picnics, and patriotic ceremonies, with military parades occasionally held, particularly during jubilee years.
In South Korea, official ceremonies often take place at significant locations like the Independence Hall of Korea or the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.
15th August 2024
15th August 2025
DPRK Foundation Day is a momentous occasion commemorating the founding of North Korea.
Foundation Day (건국일) on September 9th commemorates the establishment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 1948. The day is marked by elaborate military parades, vibrant cultural performances, and patriotic events. Citizens express their national pride by participating in communal celebrations that reinforce the unity and resilience of the nation.
On this day, you might expect to see military parades, cultural performances, and patriotic fervour that characterise this significant day on the North Korean calendar.
9th September 2024
9th September 2025
At the heart of (North) Korean festive traditions lies Chuseok. A harvest festival celebrated with immense joy and gratitude.
Chuseok (추석), often referred to as Korean Thanksgiving, is a festival deeply rooted in agricultural traditions. Celebrated from mid-August to early October according to the lunar calendar, Chuseok marks the autumn harvest season.
Families gather to pay respects to their ancestors, engaging in age-old customs such as ancestral rituals (Charye), the preparation of special foods like Songpyeon (rice cakes), and the playing of traditional games like Ganggangsullae, a circle dance under the full moon.
During Chuseok, Koreans partake in honouring ancestors, indulging in traditional delicacies, and engaging in festive activities that bring communities together.
16th September 2024
5th October 2025
China National Day, officially the National Day of the People’s Republic of China, commemorates the establishment of the communist republic on October 1st, 1949.
Tiananmen Square hosts grand ceremonies, including the first major military parade by the People’s Liberation Army. Across China, celebrations feature fireworks, dances, parades, and cultural events, creating an electrifying atmosphere for tourists and residents alike.
While not observed in North Korea, the two countries share socialist histories and celebrate their own national holidays. North Korea’s National Day, distinct from China’s, falls on September 9th, marked by similar festivities including Mass Dances and sometimes fireworks and parades.
Plus, it’s a good time to visit the country!
1st October 2024
1st October 2025
Party Foundation Day, observed on October 10th, is a significant holiday in North Korea, marking the establishment of the precursor to the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea.
This day is celebrated with performances, speeches, and lectures highlighting the revolutionary history of the party.
Floral tributes are laid, special food rations are distributed, and electricity is provided despite shortages. Main celebrations take place in Pyongyang, including processions and perhaps even a military parade.
10th October 2024
10th October 2025
North Koreans usher in the New Year with vibrant celebrations – much like elsewhere in the world!
On New Year’s Eve, the focal point is Kim Il Sung Square, where citizens gather for festivities featuring impressive firework displays and concerts. The New Year’s Address, broadcasted on New Year’s Day, sets the tone for the year ahead, with citizens required to study its contents in the following week.
Families typically spend the day at home, cleaning the house and enjoying traditions like watching the romantic television drama “Our Warm House.”
It’s a time of reflection, anticipation, and national unity in North Korea. The New Year’s Address is then given the following day on January 1st.
31st December/1st Jan 2024 – 2025
31st December/1st Jan 2025 – 2026
It’s hard to officially categorise how big these holidays in North Korea are. The celebrations vary throughout the year, as well as on an annual basis. Whilst one celebration in North Korea one year could have a military parade and fireworks, the next year it might just have some mass dancing.
Nevertheless, if you want an answer to the biggest holiday in North Korea, a North Korean might reply that it’s the Day of The Sun. This is President Kim Il Sung’s birthday – the founding father of the nation and still held in extremely high regard in DPRK society today.
So, if you’re looking to visit during the biggest holiday in North Korea – this might just be the one!
North Korean Propaganda Posters | North Korean Film Studio Posters Full Collection | Contact Us
