Andong International Maskdance Festival 2026: Your Complete Guide to Schedule, Shows, and Experiences

2026 Andong International Mask Dance Festival Guide — Until October 4, Locations, Performances, How to Get There

The 2026 Andong International Mask Dance Festival will be held for 11 days from Thursday, September 24 to Sunday, October 4, in the areas of Jungangseon 1942 Andong Station, Old Downtown, Talchum Park, and Hahoe Village. The theme is 'Memories of Masks, Dance for All'. This page covers information about the event itself, specifically when, where, and what to see, as well as how to get there. Information on ticket discounts and how to use the Culture Nuri Card is separately organized in the Andong Mask Dance Festival Discount & Culture Nuri Card Guide. As of September 29, there are six days remaining, including the Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day) holiday weekend.

At a Glance

What to See

The core of this festival is mask dance performances. Korean mask dance was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in November 2022, and this year's festival brings together 17 mask dances from across the country. You can watch a series of performances, including Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori, Bongsan Talchum, Gangneung Gwanno Mask Drama, and Dongnae Yaryu, each with different mask appearances, dance movements, music, and storytelling depending on the region. Traditional Korean mask dances are performed on the main stage and in the Talchum Performance Hall according to the schedule.

Since detailed performance times change daily, it's best to plan your itinerary by checking the daily timetable on the official website. This year, evening programs, such as the night parade, have been expanded to encourage longer stays.

Four Locations — How They Are Divided

This year's festival grounds are spread across four areas.

• Jungangseon 1942 Andong Station: A space utilizing the former Andong Station site. It's a good first destination if you arrive by train.
• Old Downtown: This area features parades and street performances. Designated businesses where you can use Talchum Sarang coupons are also located here.
• Talchum Park: The central area with the main stage and the paid Talchum Performance Hall.
• Hahoe Village: Located away from the city center, it's better to set aside a separate half-day for it. Travel information for the village itself is organized in Andong Hahoe Village · Byeongsan Seowon.

How to Get There

Taking the KTX-Eum, you can reach Andong Station from Seoul Cheongnyangni Station in about 2 hours. Korail Tourism Development has included the Andong International Mask Dance Festival in its October autumn train travel special exhibition. Product configurations and fares must be checked on the travel mall's special exhibition page, and a comparison for discounts is available on the Discount Information Page.

If driving, the area around Talchum Park will be most crowded during the Gaecheonjeol holiday weekend (October 3-4). Check the festival's official website for traffic announcements regarding temporary parking locations and shuttle operations on the day of your departure.

Six Days Left, When Is the Best Time to Visit?

Weekdays (September 29 - October 2) offer more available seats in performance halls, while the first day of the Gaecheonjeol holiday (October 3) and the closing day (October 4) will see the largest crowds. Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori is performed daily until the last day, so it's better to prioritize the timetable over the specific date. Other regional festivals during the same period can be compared in the Autumn Festival Calendar.

After the Festival Ends

The 2026 event concludes on October 4. As of September 29, the 2027 schedule has not been announced. This festival has been held annually from late September to early October, so when next year's schedule is announced, this page will be updated with the new dates. Even after the festival ends, the night scenery of Andong's Old Downtown can be experienced through Andong Wolyeong Night 2026 and a trip to Hahoe Village.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a ticket to enter the festival grounds? No. Admission to the festival grounds is free; tickets are only required to watch performances in the paid Talchum Performance Hall within Talchum Park.

How much are on-site tickets? General admission is 8,000 won, and student admission is 6,000 won. Advance sales (General 6,000 won · Student 4,000 won) ended on September 17. For free admission eligibility and Culture Nuri Card payments, please refer to the Discount Information.

Can I bring children? Yes. Preschool children aged 6 and under are eligible for free admission to paid performances. Parades and street performances are also free.

Is Hahoe Village part of the festival grounds? Yes. The Hahoe Village area is included as a festival location this year. However, it is separate from the downtown festival grounds, so you should allocate extra travel time.

Sources

• Herald Economy — 2026 Andong International Mask Dance Festival Opening Announcement · Advance Ticket Sales (August 19)
• Daum News — Memories of Masks, Dance for All… 2026 Andong International Mask Dance Festival Ticket Reservation
• Gukje News — 17 Korean Mask Dances Gather, Andong International Mask Dance Festival Opens
• Financial Daily — Andong City to Host 2026 Andong International Mask Dance Festival
• Andong International Mask Dance Festival Official — Ticket Information
• Herald Economy — Korail Tourism Development Autumn Special Exhibition (September 17)

Last checked: 2026-09-29