Gangneung Danoje Festival

강릉단오제

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Religious & SpiritualGangneung
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
Duration8 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageInscribed by UNESCO in 2005 as a Masterpiece
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: KRW
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Gangneung Danoje Festival in Gangneung

Gangneung's UNESCO-recognized Dano festival combines an ancient shamanistic mountain ritual, the Gwanno mask drama, folk singing, and Korea's largest outdoor market. Its documented history spans roughly four centuries, with possible origins over a thousand years old, and it survived deliberate suppression during the Japanese colonial period before being revived.

Gangneung Danoje marks Dano, the traditional holiday falling on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, but unlike most Korean regional Dano observances, this one preserves a dense, multi-layered ritual and performance tradition that UNESCO recognized as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Inscribed by UNESCO in 2005 as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Gangneung Danoje pairs a genuinely practiced shamanistic ritual on Daegwallyeong ridge with the Gwanno mask drama, one of Korea's few surviving wordless mask dance traditions, and the Nanjang market, reputed to be the country's largest outdoor bazaar, giving it a scale and ritual depth other regional Dano observances elsewhere in Korea have not matched or received comparable recognition for

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

A shamanistic ritual on Daegwallyeong ridge honoring mountain and tutelary deities

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the Gwanno mask drama performed without dialogue

The sacred route

Living ritual

Odokddegi folk singing

The local code

Living ritual

and the Nanjang market

Tradition 5

Living ritual

all recognized together by UNESCO in 2005

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes for navigating a large, crowded outdoor market and ritual grounds, layered clothing for early summer weather, and sun protection for daytime market browsing.

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

KRW

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map37.75 N, 128.87 EOpen in Google Maps

Gangneung, Gangwon, South Korea

Nearest airportYNY — Yangyang
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Gangneung via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Gangneung, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable walking shoes for navigating a large, crowded outdoor market and ritual grounds, layered clothing for early summer weather, and sun protection for daytime market browsing.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for South Korea and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Gangneung Danoje Festival?

Gangneung Danoje Festival is listed for Past edition: 15–22 June 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Gangneung Danoje Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Gangneung, South Korea. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

8 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Gangneung, Gangwon, South Korea

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLdanojefestival.or.kr
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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