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Gangneung Danoje

강릉단오제

A thousand-year-old shamanic and folk festival held around the lunar fifth day of the fifth month. Inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2005.

June 15 – 21, 2026(tentative)· In 37 daysGangneung, Gangwon
Dates are tentative. Confirm on the official site before booking travel.

About this festival

Danoje is one of Korea's oldest documented festivals, with origins traced to the Goryeo era. Performances include the danoje-gut shamanic ritual, the gwanno mask dance, and traditional swing-jumping (geunetuigi). Unlike commercial festivals, this one is rooted in living folk practice — the rituals are not staged for tourists but performed because they're still done.

Getting there

From Seoul: 2 hours by KTX-Eum to Gangneung. The festival site is at Namdaecheon Park, ~10-minute taxi from Gangneung Station.

If you're not yet fluent in Korean

Bring a Korean speaker or download a translation app — interpretive signage is limited. Combine with a beach day at Gyeongpo or Anmok Coffee Street. Dates shift each year by lunar calendar; verify before booking.

Dates by year

  • 2026

    June 15 – 21, 2026

    tentative

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