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

2026 Andong International Maskdance Festival: Your Complete Guide to Performances and Experiences

From September 24 to October 4, 2026, Korea's representative autumn festival, the Andong International Maskdance Festival, will be held. This year marks the first time it has been designated a 'Global Festival' by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, promising visitors an even richer array of sights and activities. You can experience not only Korea's maskdance, inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, but also diverse performances from 24 countries around the world, all in one place. Discover everything about the 2026 Andong International Maskdance Festival on this page.

2026 Andong International Maskdance Festival at a Glance

• Theme: Memories of Masks, Dance for All
• Dates: September 24 (Thu) ~ October 4 (Sun), 2026, 11 days
• Location: Andong Station 1942 (former Andong Station), Old Downtown, Maskdance Park, Hahoe Folk Village area
• Operating Hours: 10:00 ~ 22:00
• Admission Fee: Free entry to the festival grounds (However, some performances within the Maskdance Performance Hall are ticketed.)
• Key Features:
  • Participation of 28 international performing teams from 24 countries
  • Enhanced night programs, including the Global Mask Night Parade
  • New festival spaces and dining zones utilizing the former Andong Station site (such as 'Maskdance Restaurant', 'Maskdance Pocha' (Korean pub food stall), etc.)
  • A representative September autumn regional festival and an essential itinerary for an Andong trip extending into October. More September travel destinations can be found on the September Recommendations page.

Highlights Not to Miss

While various events run throughout the festival, here are the key highlights you won't want to miss.

How to Get a ₩2,000 Discount on Ticketed Performances

High-quality domestic and international performances held at the Maskdance Performance Hall are ticketed. While on-site purchases are possible, you can save money by pre-booking.

1. Pre-book Your Tickets (Until September 17)

   • Price: General ticket ₩6,000, Student ticket ₩4,000 (₩2,000 cheaper than on-site purchase)
   • Benefit: Receive a 'Maskdance Love Coupon' worth ₩2,000. This coupon can be used like cash at designated stores within the festival grounds and old downtown area. This can be seen as part of the autumn festival local currency discount benefit.
   • Online Purchase: Naver, KakaoTalk, Coupang
   • Offline Purchase: Andong City Hall Civil Service Center, 24 Eup/Myeon/Dong Administrative Welfare Centers, etc.

2. Exchange for Tickets at On-site Ticket Booths

   • Present your purchased pre-booked ticket (online QR code or physical ticket) at an on-site ticket booth during the festival period to exchange it for a physical admission ticket before entering. (As of 2026, online ticket holders might be able to enter by QR scan alone, so it is recommended to check on-site guidance.)

3. Check for Free Admission Eligibility

   • Children aged 6 and under (pre-schoolers), basic livelihood security recipients, persons with disabilities, and national merit awardees can enjoy ticketed performances for free by presenting relevant supporting documents.

Beyond Watching: Hands-On Experience Programs

The Andong International Maskdance Festival becomes even more enjoyable when you actively participate.

• Physical & Interactive Experiences

  • Daedong Nanjang (Grand Gathering) & Street Parade: The festival's highlight. A time for tourists, citizens, and performers to come together, wear masks, and dance.
  • Make Your Own Mask: Create a one-of-a-kind mask that you can wear throughout the festival.
  • Learn Traditional Maskdance: An opportunity to learn the basic movements of Korean maskdance directly from experts.

• Feast for the Eyes and Palate

  • Special Exhibition Halls: This year features the 'Malaysia Culture Exhibition Hall' as the guest country, and the 'East Asian Cultural City Mask Exhibition Hall' where you can compare mask cultures from Korea, China, and Japan.
  • Food Zones: At the 'Maskdance Restaurant' located on the former train station site, you can savor dishes made with Andong's local specialties. 'Maskdance Pocha' (Korean pub food stall), food trucks, and the 'Nakdong River Ramen' booth offer a diverse range of nighttime snacks and meals.

Getting to the Festival & Parking Information

The 2026 festival unfolds around a triangular axis connecting Andong Station 1942, the Old Downtown, and Maskdance Park.

• By Public Transportation

  • If you're traveling by train or bus, it's convenient to make 'Andong Station 1942 (former Andong Station)' your first destination. From there, you can easily access the Old Downtown and Maskdance Park to enjoy the festival.

• By Car

  • Parking: Starting from 2026, parking fees at the festival grounds have changed to free.
  • Parking Lots: You can use the temporary parking lots provided around the festival grounds, and shuttle buses operate from some parking lots to the event venues.
  • Tip: On the day of your visit, it's most accurate to enter the names of the temporary parking lots, announced via the festival's official website or social media, into your navigation system. On days with large crowds, such as the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, or weekends, parking lots can quickly become congested, so it's recommended to arrive with ample time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q. Do I absolutely need to buy a ticket to enter the festival grounds? A. No. Entry to the festival grounds (Andong Station 1942, Old Downtown, Maskdance Park, etc.) is free. Tickets are only required to watch specific ticketed performances held within the Maskdance Performance Hall. Street parades, various experience programs, and food zones can be enjoyed freely.

• Q. Can I buy maskdance performance tickets on-site? A. Yes, you can. However, if you pre-book by September 17, you can purchase them at a discounted price of ₩2,000 and also receive a 'Maskdance Love Coupon' worth ₩2,000, making pre-booking much more economical.

• Q. I'm visiting with children; are there any programs suitable for them? A. Yes, it's a festival for the whole family to enjoy. There are plenty of programs children can directly participate in, such as 'Make Your Own Mask', 'Maskdance Drawing Contest', and 'Learn Traditional Maskdance'. Additionally, pre-school children aged 6 and under can watch ticketed performances for free.

• Q. What's most special about this year's festival? A. 2026 marks the first year it has been selected as a 'Global Festival', with significantly enhanced nighttime attractions such as the 'Global Mask Night Parade' and 'Seonyu Julbul Nori'. Furthermore, the festival grounds have expanded to include the former Andong Station site, where new food zones and experiential spaces await visitors.