All festivals
Performing artsMCST Representative

Andong Mask Dance Festival

안동국제탈춤페스티벌

Ten days of traditional Korean mask dance (talchum) performances in Andong, the cultural capital of Korea's Confucian heartland.

September 25 – October 4, 2026(tentative)Andong, North Gyeongsang
Dates are tentative. Confirm on the official site before booking travel.

About this festival

Andong is home to the Hahoe Folk Village (UNESCO World Heritage) and Hahoe byeolsingut talnori, one of the oldest surviving Korean mask dance traditions. The festival pairs the local talchum with mask dance traditions from across Asia. Expect outdoor stages, costume parades, and overnight Andong jjimdak (braised chicken) — the city's most famous food.

Getting there

From Seoul: ~2 hours by KTX-Eum (Cheongnyangni → Andong, opened 2020). Bus is ~3 hours from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal. The festival grounds are at the riverside in central Andong; Hahoe Village is a 40-minute bus ride from the city.

If you're not yet fluent in Korean

More traditional and slower-paced than Boryeong. Performances have minimal English voiceover but the visual storytelling carries. Pair with a half-day at Hahoe Folk Village. October weather is comfortable — pack a light jacket for evenings.

Dates by year

  • 2026

    September 25 – October 4, 2026

    tentative

Source: Manual editorial. Last verified 2026-05-08.