People play traditional games at the National Folk Museum of Korea in central Seoul, Feb. 15, 2010, during the Lunar New Year holiday. Courtesy of the National Folk Museum of Korea

The Lunar New Year is one of the most significant holidays in Korea, marking the first day of the lunar calendar. It's usually in January or February, and coincides with the second new moon after the winter solstice. The day of the Lunar New Year, which is called Seollal in Korean, falls on Jan. 29 this year, with days off on the 28th and 30th as well, plus a one-time temporary holiday on the 27th to connect the days off to the preceding weekend.

This year we are ushering in the Year of the Green Snake, a symbol of transformation, growth and personal development.

Whether you're looking to immerse yourself in traditional customs, enjoy modern festivities or simply relax, Seoul offers an abundance of activities for everyone to enjoy over the holiday.

Cultural experiences and exhibitions

The National Folk Museum of Korea, located on the grounds of Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul, is hosting an exhibit centered on the Year of the Snake called "The Snake with a Thousand Faces." You can explore fascinating relics and artwork highlighting the cultural significance of the snake in Korean tradition. The museum will be closed on Thursday for the holiday, but open the rest of the week.

The Korea Manhwa Museum in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, is hosting an exhibition titled "Chorong," celebrating the themes of vitality, wisdom and change associated with the Year of the Snake.

Entertainment and leisure

Jiwan Kim, a professional close-up magician and mentalist boasting 8 million views on YouTube, brings his "The Imagine Show" to Taco Amigo in central Seoul's Gyeongnidan neighborhood for two dates on Jan. 24 and 25. Both shows start at 7:30 p.m. and tickets cost between 20,000 won and 23,000 won, but it's advised to buy tickets in advance because his last few shows have sold out. Visit tinyurl.com/theimagineshow to preregister.

Magician Jiwan Kim, right, performs during a show last year. Courtesy of Jiwan Kim

Meanwhile, at Joseon Salon Cafe in downtown Seoul's Insa-dong, participants can join a tarot workshop on Jan. 26. Led by Sanha, a certified art therapy, tarot and yoga expert and the founder of HAY, this workshop will delve into subconscious minds and uncover what lies ahead. Unlike traditional tarot readings, this workshop is interactive and engaging, allowing participants to interpret the cards in their own way under the host's guidance. Participants should check in at 2:30 p.m. An entry fee of 20,000 won includes art materials and tarot reading. Visit bit.ly/2025newyeartarot to register.

People participate in a tarot workshop. Courtesy of HAY

Overnight adventures

For those looking to escape the big city, there are tour operators and groups offering various tours around the peninsula over the holiday.

The Seoul Travel Expat Meetup Group offers a trip from Jan. 27 to 28 to Mount Seorak and scenic east coast cities including Sokcho, Yangyang and Gangneung. Visit bit.ly/SeoraksanhikingNY for more information.

Bare trees and snow cover Mount Seorak in Gangwon Province, Dec. 22. Yonhap

Goh Travel Korea has two Lunar New Year offers, a getaway to Jeju Island from Jan. 27 to 30, and a trip to Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, from Jan. 28 to 29.

Unlike mainland Korea, Jeju Island is much warmer in winter, except for Mount Halla. If hiking is your thing, the hike up Mount Halla will be an eye-opener with spectacular views of snow and the landscape. Hiking the mountain is not mandatory. Visit bit.ly/JejuLNY2025 for more information.

Mount Halla is covered with snow on Jeju Island, Jan. 15. Yonhap

The highlight of Pohang may be the unique Space Walk, Korea's largest walkable art installation. The Space Walk offers a magnificent view of Pohang's cityscape and the nearby Yeongil Beach and Bay. Homigot in Pohang is a popular spot for watching the new year's sunrise because it's located at the easternmost point of the Korean Peninsula and is the first sunrise of the Lunar New Year. Visit bit.ly/spacewalkLNY2025 for more information.

Visitors walk along the Pohang Space Walk in North Gyeongsang Province, Jan. 23, 2023. Korea Times file

Adventure Korea offers a ski/snowboard trip to Phoenix Park in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, the venue for the freestyle skiing and snowboarding events in the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2018 Winter Paralympics. There are also options to visit Blue Canyon Water Park and Pyeongchang Trout Festival. Visit adventurekorea.com/2025-lunar-new-year-special-ski-trip for more information.

Social gatherings, creative pursuits

SeoulShare, a community on Meetup.com, is hosting a speed dating event for people born between 1980 and 1995 on Jan. 25. Visit bit.ly/speeddatingLNY2025 to join.

The same group is also organizing a casual sketching, drawing, painting get-together at a cafe in southern Seoul's Gangnam on Jan. 30. The event is free, but participants should buy something from the cafe. Visit bit.ly/casualsketchingLNY2025 for more information.

Another Meetup group offers a free hiking trip on Jan. 26 to northern Seoul's Mount Bukhan, challenging Baegundae Peak, the highest point on the mountain. There will also be a vegan lunch at a Buddhist temple. Visit bit.ly/hikebukhansanLNY2025 for more information.

CodeSeoul is offering its first bootcamp from Jan. 27 to 31. The five-day event will take beginners through the basics of backend development. Each day focuses on different skills, leaving attendees to pick the days they want. Visit meetup.com/codeseoul/events for more information.

Chantal Terblanche, from South Africa, lives here with her dogs, Samsung and Puggles. She runs the blog ClumsyinKorea.com and the Korea Events group on Facebook.