Andong Mask Dance Festival

Name: Andong Mask Dance Festival
Start: 2025-09-25
End: 2025-10-04
Location: Andong

Korea’s Autumn Carnival of Laughter and Satire

2026/09/24 - 2026/10/03

The Andong International Mask Dance Festival is Korea’s premier folk performing arts event, where you can experience traditional Korean mask dance drama (talchum) and mask cultures from around the world. Every autumn, the historic city of Andong bursts into life as locals and visitors gather along the Nakdong River and in Hahoe Folk Village for ten days of satire, laughter, and the art of transformation. With the beat of drums, vibrant costumes, and the energy of parades, everyone is invited to let loose “behind the mask” and discover the true spirit of Korean folklore.

From the moment you step into the festival, you enter a world where ancient rituals and modern playfulness blend. Swirling costumes and masks, the sound of bells and laughter, the earthy scent of the riverside, sizzling street food, and the tactile feel of hand-carved wooden masks-every sense is awakened in this immersive experience.

Main Attractions

Hahoe Byeolsingut Mask Dance: Korea’s Iconic Mask Drama

The festival’s highlight is the open-air performance of Hahoe Byeolsingut Mask Dance in Hahoe Village. Masked actors satirize social hierarchies and authority, humorously depicting village life in one of Korea’s oldest mask dramas. The audience is drawn into the show, clapping and shouting, creating a shared sense of excitement.

World Mask Performances

Mask troupes from Asia, Europe, and the Americas gather in Andong, presenting Japanese Noh, Chinese lion dances, Italian commedia dell’arte, and more. The city transforms into a global stage for the diversity and artistry of mask performance.

Mask Parades & Hands-On Workshops

The nightly mask parade is open to all. Local artisans lead popular mask-making workshops, where children and adults craft their own masks and experience the thrill of transformation. Marching through the streets in costume feels like stepping into a living story.

Traditional Games, Rituals, and Fireworks

Folk games, tightrope walking, shamanic rituals, and riverside fireworks add to the festivities. The sound of janggu drums, the glow of lanterns, and the shadows of masks reflected on the water evoke the depth and excitement of Korean culture.

Costumes and Decorations

Performers and visitors alike wear colorful hanbok and handmade masks. The venue is decorated with lanterns, banners, and mask motifs, while the thatched-roof Hahoe Village becomes a stage of living tradition. Crisp autumn air and historic scenery add a special charm to the festival.

Traditional Food & Drink

Festival specialties include Andong Jjimdak (soy-braised chicken), heotjesabap (vegetarian ceremonial rice), and savory pancakes. Street stalls offer skewers, rice cakes, and makgeolli. The aroma of roasted chestnuts and pickles, and the warmth of shared rice wine, are part of the festival’s delight.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Andong International Mask Dance Festival is dedicated to preserving and sharing Korea’s folk art of talchum (mask dance drama). The UNESCO-listed Hahoe Byeolsingut Mask Dance has been passed down for over 800 years as a village exorcism, social satire, and expression of the people’s true feelings and wishes. Over time, it became a beloved form of entertainment and art, transcending generations and borders.

The modern festival began in 1997, making Andong a hub for global mask culture exchange. For locals, it’s a source of pride and a living link to their ancestors; for visitors, it’s a unique opportunity to experience laughter, satire, transformation, and liberation.

Participant Voices

“I came to Andong with my family and found myself dancing on stage in a mask! The actors drew us into the story, and we all laughed together. I felt a sense of unity that transcended nationality.”

Fun Facts

The festival attracts over one million visitors annually, making it one of Korea’s largest folk festivals.
The Hahoe Byeolsingut Mask Dance is one of Korea’s oldest, with a history of over 800 years.
Andong is known as the “spiritual capital” of Confucian and folk culture in Korea.
Many masks are carved from alder wood and painted with natural pigments.

Festival Dates

The Andong International Mask Dance Festival is held every autumn at the Mask Dance Park and Hahoe Village in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Enjoy mask dramas, parades, and workshops, and experience the living tradition and power of laughter in Korea.