The Lunar New Year (Seollal), during January or February causes not only Seoul but the whole country to come to a halt. It's a good time to check out the Korean Folk Village  near Suwon or the Nori Madang at the National Theater  to see the special performances of traditional dances or wedding ceremonies.

Buddha's Birthday, or Feast of the Lanterns, is on the eighth day of the fourth moon, and falls around April or May. There's an evening lantern parade from Yeouido Park Plaza to Jogyesa, starting around 6:30pm.

Korean Thanksgiving or Chuseok, is also known as the Harvest Moon Festival, and falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, around September or October. It is the most important of South Korea's lunar holidays, and Seoul becomes almost deserted as most city dwellers head back to their family homes. They prepare offerings for the ancestral tombs and prepare for an evening of gazing at the moon.

Jongmyo Daeje, or Royal Shrine Rites in the Jangmyo Shrine is held on the first Sunday in May. After a royal procession, a seven-hour Confucian ritual is performed by many of the descendents of the 17th century Joseon royal family. They pay homage to their ancestors with offerings of food, wine, solemn music and dance.

The Seokjeondaeje is staged twice a year (first day of the second and eighth moons) at the Confucian Shrine at Sungkyunkwan University in northern Seoul. A traditional court orchestra performs and traditional costume rituals are enacted.

The energetic Seoul International Drum Festival is usually held during October or November for three days at the Seoul Plaza in front of the City Hall and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Korean drumming is quite powerful and done by both men and women. Drummers from all over the world are invited to attend, ensuring riveting and mesmerizing performances. The festival begins with the heart-pounding beats of the daebook, a huge Korean drum nearly two-stories high. Participants and passers-by are welcome to join the events like instant jam session, drum exhibition and trivia quiz session for free.