At a glance
| Dates | Expected Sep/Oct 2027Late September to early October 2027, most likely opening on a Thursday or Friday in the last week of September and running 10–11 days; 2026 dates and advance tickets were announced on 18 August 2026. |
|---|---|
| Next edition | 2027: Late September to early October 2027, most likely opening on a Thursday or Friday in the last week of September and running 10–11 days; 2026 dates and advance tickets were announced on 18 August 2026. |
| Weather | September average 26/16 °C (78/60 °F), 120 mm of rain October average 21/8 °C (69/46 °F), 47 mm of rainMild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark. Monthly averages, not a forecast: Korea Meteorological Administration climate normals, 1991–2020, Andong station. |
| Admission | The festival grounds, parades and outdoor stages are free; performances in the indoor mask-dance theatre cost ₩8,000 for adults and ₩6,000 for students on site (₩2,000 less in advance), and some workshops charge a materials fee.Festival grounds and outdoor stages: Free · Indoor mask-dance theatre, adult, on site: ₩8,000 · Indoor mask-dance theatre, adult, advance: ₩6,000 (2026 prices) |
| Venue | Jungang Line 1942 Andong Station (former Andong Station), Mask Dance Park and the old downtown경상북도 안동시 육사로 239 (운흥동) |
| Nearest station | Andong Station (안동역), Jungang Line (KTX-Eum, ITX)Not within walking distance; the station moved to Songhyeon-dong beside the bus terminal in December 2020. Use the festival shuttle (:30 past the hour), bus 110/112/circular 3, or a taxi. |
| From Seoul | about 2 h · KTX + BusLeave from Cheongnyangni Station · One-way fare from ₩27,700Full route · Festivals by travel time from Seoul |
| Organizer | Korea Foundation for Cultures and Ethics (with Andong City)한국정신문화재단 (안동시) |
| Usual timing | Ten or eleven days from the last week of September to the first Sunday of October (2024: 27 Sep–6 Oct; 2025: 26 Sep–5 Oct; 2026: 24 Sep–4 Oct, with the opening parade and ceremony on the second day, 25 Sep). The 2026 dates and advance-ticket sale were announced on 18 August. Browse September / October festivals. |
| First held | 1997 |
| Last checked | 16 October 2026Checked against 32 sources · See sources |
What it is like
Andong is the home of Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori, a village mask play on UNESCO's intangible-heritage list, and this festival builds on that: for eleven days, Korea's 17 heritage-listed mask-dance troupes perform alongside foreign companies (27 teams from 23 countries in 2026, with Malaysia as guest country). The main site is the disused 1942 Andong railway station in the city centre, now called Jungang Line 1942 Andong Station, with a main stage, an indoor mask-dance theatre, food stalls and a mask-making workshop; Mask Dance Park nearby hosts a busking stage where visitors learn basic steps. Evening is the best time: a Global Mask Parade runs from the old downtown to the festival grounds on four dates, followed at 19:00 by Daedong Nanjang, a mass dance in which the audience joins the performers. On three nights the programme moves to Hahoe Village (festival shuttle from the grounds) for Seonyu Julbul Nori, a night fire display strung across the Nakdong River between the Mansongjeong pine grove and Buyongdae cliff. Honest caveats: the daytime schedule is mostly stage shows with Korean-only announcements, the old-downtown parades are crowded on the two weekends, and the festival shuttle to Hahoe stops around 17:00 on weekdays. Andong's new KTX station is on the edge of town, not at the festival site, so allow for a bus, shuttle or taxi transfer.
Highlights
- Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori and 16 other heritage-listed Korean mask-dance troupes on the main stage
- Global Mask Parade from the old downtown to the grounds on 26, 27 and 30 September and 3 October 2026, followed by Daedong Nanjang audience dancing at 19:00
- Seonyu Julbul Nori fire-string display over the Nakdong River at Hahoe Village (26 September and 3 October at 19:00, 4 October at 18:30 in 2026)
- World Mask Play Competition finals and closing ceremony on the last day
- Mask-making workshop (Mask Atelier) and learn-a-mask-dance sessions at Mask Dance Park
- Market parade linking the old and new traditional markets
Who it suits. Best for travellers interested in Korean performing arts and anyone combining Andong with Hahoe Village; good for families because the grounds are free and the workshops are hands-on. Less suited to visitors who want English commentary, since stage announcements are in Korean and interpretation for individual workshops is not provided.
Getting there
From Seoul
KTX-Eum from Cheongnyangni Station to Andong Station (about 1 h 50 m–2 h 05 m, ₩27,700 standard class, 13 trains a day in October 2026). Andong Station is on the edge of town next to Andong Bus Terminal, not at the festival site: take the festival shuttle (departs the station/terminal at :30 past the hour), city bus 110, 112 or circular route 3 to the 탈춤공원건너/탈춤공원앞 stops (about 190 m from the grounds), or a taxi.
From Busan
Intercity bus from Busan Central Bus Terminal (Nopo) to Andong Terminal, 4 a day in October 2026, about 2 h 08 m, ₩22,900 deluxe class; then the festival shuttle or a city bus as above.
Last leg from Andong Station
Jungang Line (KTX-Eum, ITX). Not within walking distance; the station moved to Songhyeon-dong beside the bus terminal in December 2020. Use the festival shuttle (:30 past the hour), bus 110/112/circular 3, or a taxi.
Festival shuttle
2026: free shuttles linked the grounds, Andong Bus Terminal/Andong Station and Hahoe Village ticket office. Grounds→Hahoe on the hour from 10:00 (last 17:00 weekdays, 20:00 weekends/holidays, no departures 12:00–12:59 and 18:00–18:59); Hahoe→Andong Station→grounds with Hahoe departures on the hour and station departures at :30 (last about 17:30 weekdays, 21:30 holidays). Separate timetable and boarding point on the Seonyu Julbul Nori nights (26 Sep, 3 and 4 Oct).
Getting home
Last trains from Andong Station to Cheongnyangni and Seoul Station, and last express buses from Andong Bus Terminal (next to the station) to Dong Seoul and Seoul Express Bus Terminal, for the 2027 festival dates were not checked; check the last train in the Korail app (코레일+ / Korail+) and the last bus at the terminal before the festival day. In October 2026 the last express buses to Seoul left later than the last trains. The night program runs to 22:00, so a same-day return means leaving the grounds well before the end.
Parking
2026: 14 official lots with 3,512 spaces, including free riverside lots at the Arts Centre (576), Mask Dance Park (96) and under Cheonri bridge (114), plus 1,246 paid downtown spaces (Ungbu Park, City Hall annex, old and new markets). Downtown road closures ran 16 Sep–7 Oct.
How to switch Naver Map and Kakao Map to English
Google Maps shows train, subway and bus routes in Korea but not walking or driving directions yet, so for the walk from the station Naver Map or Kakao Map is more reliable.
Before you go
1330 · Travel hotline
The Korea Tourism Organization’s helpline answers in English, Japanese and Chinese around the clock, and in several other languages from 08:00 to 19:00. Dial 1330 from a Korean phone, or +82-2-1330 from a phone registered abroad.
112 / 119 · Emergencies
112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. Both are free from any phone. Police on 112 can add an English or Chinese interpreter to the call.
T-money card
Buy one at a convenience store such as GS25, CU or 7-Eleven and top it up there with cash. It pays for subways and buses in most cities, and for most taxis.
Maps
Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for walking and bus directions; Google Maps does not yet give walking directions in Korea. Both apps can be switched to English. Naver Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → Language (Japanese and Chinese also available). Kakao Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → App settings → Language. If the option is missing, change your phone’s language and reopen the app. Small shop names and some reviews stay in Korean.
Trains and buses
Book trains on Korail’s English site and express buses on Kobus. Holiday weekends sell out first.
Checked 18 October 2026.
Tickets, prices and practical details
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Festival grounds and outdoor stages | Free | Free |
| Indoor mask-dance theatre, adult, on site | ₩8,000 | |
| Indoor mask-dance theatre, adult, advance | ₩6,000 | Sold 18 Aug–17 Sep via Naver, KakaoTalk, Coupang and Andong City offices; exchanged for a ticket at the venue box office and came with a ₩2,000 Talchum Love coupon |
| Indoor mask-dance theatre, student, on site | ₩6,000 | |
| Indoor mask-dance theatre, student, advance | ₩4,000 | |
| Children 6 and under, people with disabilities, national merit recipients | Free | Proof required at the box office |
- Booking
- Advance theatre tickets were sold 18 August–17 September 2026 through Naver, KakaoTalk and Coupang (Korean accounts) and at Andong City Hall and district offices; on-site tickets are sold at the box office, so no advance booking is required. Hahoe shuttle seats are first come, first served.
- English on site
- International troupes perform throughout, but announcements are in Korean; English interpretation for individual workshops is not provided.
- Crowds
- Busiest on the two weekends and on Global Mask Parade evenings; weekday afternoons are manageable.
- Best time to go
- Arrive by 17:00 on a parade day (26, 27, 30 Sep or 3 Oct in 2026) for the parade and the 19:00 Daedong Nanjang; the opening night includes fireworks.
- What to bring
- Comfortable shoes for the walk between the old-downtown parade route and the grounds; a light jacket for October evenings; cash or a Korean-issued card for market stalls.
- Step-free access
- People with disabilities are admitted free to the theatre with proof; no other accessibility details were published.
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Late September to early October 2027, most likely opening on a Thursday or Friday in the last week of September and running 10–11 days; 2026 dates and advance tickets were announced on 18 August 2026. | expected | The festival was selected by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a 2026–2028 Global Festival with ₩800 million a year in support, so a 2027 edition is funded. No 2027 dates had been published as of 16 October 2026. |
| 2026 | 24 Sep – 4 Oct 2026 | ended | Programme extended to Hahoe Village for the first time as a listed venue, with Seonyu Julbul Nori on three nights. |
| 2025 | 26 Sep – 5 Oct 2025 | ended | Theme 'Dancing masks, in search of many faces' (춤추는 탈, 다양한 얼굴을 찾아서); 27 countries, about 60 overseas and 140 Korean troupes. |
| 2024 | 27 Sep – 6 Oct 2024 | ended | Theme 'The dance of culture that unites the world' (세계를 하나로 만드는 문화의 춤). |
Before or after the festival
Places you can fit in before or after the festival without missing the shuttle or the last train or bus back.
A UNESCO-listed clan village where the Pungsan Ryu family has lived for about 600 years: tile-roofed and thatched houses inside a loop of the Nakdong River, and the home of the Hahoe mask dance the festival grew from. Go in the morning: last entry is 16:30 from October (17:30 in September; opens 09:00, adult ₩5,000), so the evening shuttles arrive too late. The free Byeolsingut mask dance plays at 14:00 Tue–Sun (not confirmed for festival days); the return shuttle runs via Andong Station.
Getting there: Free festival shuttle from the grounds to the Hahoe ticket office, hourly in 2026; or city bus 210, Express 2 or Pungcheon 2. Check before you go
- Woryeonggyo Bridge (월영교)Before
Korea's longest wooden footbridge (387 m), across the Nakdong River near Andong Dam and lit up at night. Spend an afternoon there before the evening programme: the Woryeong Train, opened in September 2026 on the old Jungang Line, links Imcheonggak with the Waryong Light Tunnel above the bridge (last trip 16:30, ₩3,000 return; closed Mondays), and Andong City Museum beside the bridge is free (last entry 17:30).
Getting there: City bus 112 or 3, which also serve the Mask Dance Park stops, or a short taxi ride; check the route in Kakao Map before you go
- Andong Old Market (안동구시장)Before or after
The old-town market where Andong jjimdak is said to have begun: chicken braised with glass noodles and vegetables in a soy-based sauce, served on sharing platters along a whole alley of restaurants. Go for a late lunch or early dinner (the market runs 09:00–22:00; closing days vary by restaurant). Queues were long on festival weekends in 2026, so eat by about 17:30 to be back for the 19:00 Daedong Nanjang. Andong Station is about 20 minutes away by bus; allow for that if you leave by train.
Getting there: On foot through the old downtown; the market is on the festival's market-parade route
Questions travelers ask
When is the Andong Mask Dance Festival 2027?
Dates are not yet announced. The festival runs 10–11 days from the last week of September into early October (2026: 24 Sep–4 Oct), and 2026 dates were published on 18 August, so expect a similar announcement in August 2027.
Is the Andong Mask Dance Festival free?
The grounds, parades and outdoor stages are free. Indoor theatre performances cost ₩8,000 for adults (₩6,000 in advance) and ₩6,000 for students; children six and under enter free.
Where exactly is the festival held?
At the former Andong Station site in the city centre (Jungang Line 1942 Andong Station, 239 Yuksa-ro), Mask Dance Park nearby, the old downtown streets, and on three nights at Hahoe Village, reached by the festival shuttle.
How do I get from Seoul to the Andong Mask Dance Festival?
KTX-Eum from Cheongnyangni to Andong takes about two hours (₩27,700, 13 trains a day). From the station take the festival shuttle at :30 past the hour, bus 110/112, or a taxi to the grounds.
Can I see the Hahoe mask dance during the festival?
Yes. Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori troupes perform on the main stage and at Hahoe Village, and the Seonyu Julbul Nori fire display was held at Hahoe on 26 September, 3 and 4 October 2026 with a dedicated shuttle.
What time are the parades?
In 2026 the opening parade left the old downtown at 18:00 on 25 September; Global Mask Parades ran on 26, 27, 30 September and 3 October, each followed by Daedong Nanjang audience dancing from 19:00.
Is there parking at the Andong Mask Dance Festival?
Yes: 14 lots with 3,512 spaces in 2026, free riverside lots near the Arts Centre and Mask Dance Park, and paid downtown lots. Central streets were closed to traffic from 16 September to 7 October.
Can I see the Hahoe mask dance outside the festival?
Yes. The Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori troupe gives a regular performance of about an hour at its transmission hall in Hahoe Village from Tuesday to Sunday at 14:00 (as listed in KTX Magazine's October 2026 issue). It is the same six-act mask play staged at the festival; check the schedule before you travel, as it can change on holidays.
What is the weather like during Andong Maskdance Festival?
September in Andong: average high 26 °C (78 °F), low 16 °C (60 °F), 120 mm of rain (Andong station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). October in Andong: average high 21 °C (69 °F), low 8 °C (46 °F), 47 mm of rain (Andong station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). Mild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark.
Sources and verification
Facts checked
16 October 2026, against the sources listed below.
This page is desk research from the sources below, not a firsthand report of the 2027 edition. Confidence in the current facts: high.
- Korea Tourism Organization — Andong Maskdance Festivalkto — 2026 dates, 10:00–22:00 hours, venue, address, free admission with paid programmes, organizer name, programme list, contact
- 더팩트 — '가면의 기억, 모두의 춤' 2026 안동국제탈춤페스티벌, 예매부터 뜨겁다 (2026-08-19)news — Theme, 11-day dates, advance ticket prices ₩6,000/₩4,000 (₩2,000 below on-site), sale period 18 Aug–17 Sep, sellers, ₩2,000 coupon, Global Festival funding 2026–2028
- 더팩트 — 가면 쓰고 안동으로…23개국 참여 2026 안동국제탈춤페스티벌 개최 (2026-09-17)news — Opening day 18:00 parade and 19:00 ceremony with fireworks, Global Mask Parade dates, Daedong Nanjang 19:00, Seonyu Julbul Nori dates and times, Malaysia 14:00 performance, busking stage sessions
- 경북매일 — 안동국제탈춤페스티벌 개막 (2026-09-26)news — Opening ceremony 25 Sep 19:00 on main stage, parade from 18:00, 17 Korean troupes and 27 teams from 23 countries, guest country Malaysia, Andong City and the foundation as hosts, 30-year history
- 더팩트 — 언어가 달라도 춤은 통했다…안동국제탈춤페스티벌 11일 대장정 마침표 (2026-10-05)news — Closing on 4 Oct with competition finals, winners, Mask Atelier and market parade, absence of 2027 announcement
- 매일신문 — 2025 안동국제탈춤페스티벌 개막 (2025-09-26)news — 2025 dates 26 Sep–5 Oct, theme, Italy guest country, opening parade 18:00
- 경북매일 — 오늘부터 경북 곳곳 가을축제 이어져 (2024-09-26)news — 2024 dates 27 Sep–6 Oct, theme, 34 teams from 24 countries
- Travel Map Journey — 2026 안동국제탈춤페스티벌 주차·셔틀blog — Parking lot list and capacities, shuttle timetable pattern, on-site theatre prices ₩8,000/₩6,000, free-admission categories, road-closure dates
- Trvlogue — Andong Maskdance Festival guideblog — Mask Dance Park address, 10:00–22:00 hours, ₩8,000 on-site / ₩6,000 advance theatre price, food stalls
- ktriptips (KTO TourAPI mirror) — 안동국제탈춤페스티벌kto — Organizer 한국정신문화재단, admission note (free, some programmes and theatre paid), programme categories
- koreacharts (KTO TourAPI mirror) — 안동국제탈춤페스티벌 상세map — Venue coordinates 36.5598, 128.7308 (KTO data) and nearby bus stops 탈춤공원앞/탈춤공원건너 with routes 110, 112, circular 3
- train.asamaru.net — 청량리역→안동역 시간표other — KTX-Eum 13 trains a day, 05:40–19:00, about 1 h 52 m–2 h 05 m, ₩27,700 standard
- 이투데이 — 새해 5일부터 청량리~안동 2시간이면 간다 (2020-12-28)news — Cheongnyangni–Andong high-speed service opened 5 Jan 2021, about 2 hours
- transportation.asamaru.net — 부산종합버스터미널→안동터미널other — Busan–Andong bus 4 a day, 07:25–17:30, 2 h 08 m, ₩22,900 deluxe
- Wikipedia (en) — Andong stationother — Station relocated 17 Dec 2020 from downtown to the edge of town next to Andong Bus Terminal; new station coordinates
- 위키백과 — 안동역other — Move from Unheung-dong to Songhyeon-dong in front of the bus terminal; KTX-Eum and Jungang Line service
- Andong → Cheongnyangni train timetable, 16–22 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-16)other — Mon–Fri last departures 18:14 KTX-Eum 718 (arr 20:15) and 18:22 ITX-Maeum 1604 (arr 20:56); Sat 17 and Sun 18 Oct add 19:18 KTX-Eum 782 (arr 21:13); return-direction summary gives last Seoul-side departure 19:00
- Andong → Seoul Station train timetable, 15–21 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-15)other — Six trains a day to Seoul Station, last 16:43 KTX-Eum 716 (arr 19:13)
- Andong Terminal → Seoul Express Bus Terminal express bus timetable (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-16)other — 18 buses a day, last 19:20 and 20:10 (scheduled arrival 23:31)
- Andong Terminal → Dong Seoul bus timetable (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-16)other — 13 buses a day, last 19:40 and 20:00 (scheduled arrival 22:37)
- The Fact — 빗속 개막에도 인파 몰렸다…안동국제탈춤페스티벌 (28 Sep 2026)news — '지난 24일 시작된' festival; '25일 개막식'
- KTX Magazine, 'MADE IN ANDONG' (October 2026 issue): Hahoe Village, regular Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori performances and the 2026 World Heritage Festival in Andongnews — Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori performed at the transmission hall in Hahoe Village Tuesday–Sunday at 14:00 for about an hour, in six acts
- Korea Tourism Organization — Hahoe Village, Andongkto — Hahoe Village hours: April–September 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30), October–March 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30); adult ₩5,000
- Korea Tourism Organization — Andong Travel Guide (updated May 2026)kto — City bus routes since the 2022 renumbering: Hahoe 210, Express 2, Pungcheon 2; Woryeonggyo 112; Byeolsingut Talnori Tuesday–Sunday 14:00
- 위키트리 — 2026 안동국제탈춤페스티벌 셔틀버스·주차 안내news — 2026 festival shuttle grounds → Hahoe ticket office → Andong terminal → grounds; terminal departures at :30; separate stop on Seonyu Julbul Nori days
- ktriptips (KTO TourAPI mirror) — 하회별신굿탈놀이 상설공연kto — Regular performance March–December Tuesday–Sunday 14:00–15:00, free
- 경북매일 — 월영가람길·월영열차 9일 정식 운영 (2026-09-03)news — Woryeong Train from Imcheonggak, 10:00–18:00, ten trips, last 16:30, ₩3,000 return; Waryong Light Tunnel 09:00–18:00, last entry 17:20, adult ₩5,000; closed Mondays
- 경북매일 — 월영가람길 개통식 (2026-09-13)news — Trail on the former Jungang Line linking Imcheonggak and Woryeonggyo; opening on 9 September 2026
- 안동시립박물관 (안동민속박물관) — 홈municipal — Museum by Woryeonggyo: 09:00–18:00, last entry 17:30; closed 1 January, Seollal and Chuseok
- 안동시립박물관 — 찾아오시는 길municipal — City bus 3 from Andong Station / bus terminal to the museum and Woryeonggyo
- Korea Tourism Organization — Andong Old Marketkto — Market hours 09:00–22:00, closing days vary by shop; about 20 minutes by bus from Andong Station / terminal
- 경북매일 — 탈춤축제 안동찜닭골목 북적 (2026-10-03)news — Long queues in the jjimdak alley on festival days in 2026
What we could not confirm
- Official 2026 visitor total and ticket sales were not published in the sources opened.
- The organizer site maskdance.com blocks automated fetching; official pages were not opened directly (facts come from KTO, news and blogs).
- Last train back from Andong to Cheongnyangni, and the last express bus to Seoul, on the 2027 festival dates under the timetable in force that day.
- Whether foreign-issued cards are accepted at the box office and stalls was not stated anywhere.
- firstHeld 1997 is inferred from the mayor's '30 years' remark in the 2026 opening coverage, not from a primary history page.
Changes: 2026-10-16 — Full fact-first rewrite: hours, prices, stations, 2024–2027 editions, FAQs and sources. · 2026-10-16 — Rechecked against timetables, fare tables and organizer notices: conflicting dates and transport details; last trains and buses back to Seoul. · 2026-10-18 — Added a photograph from the Korea Tourism Organization (Korea Tourism Content Lab), KOGL Type 1. · 2026-10-18 — Added the year-round Hahoe mask dance performance (Tuesday–Sunday 14:00) for visitors outside the festival dates. · 2026-10-20 — Bus class corrected: the Busan–Andong intercity bus is deluxe (우등), not premium. · 2026-10-20 — Busan–Andong bus fare updated from the timetable: ₩22,900 (deluxe). · 2026-10-21 — Nearby rewritten as 'Before or after the festival' (shuttle and last-train fit) · 2026-10-21 — Transport: removed train and bus clock times from the October 2026 timetable (a new KTX timetable started on 1 Nov 2026); visitors are told to check the Korail app and Andong Bus Terminal before the festival day. · 2026-10-21 — Before or after the festival: each place now opens with what it is (owner's feedback); Busan gets a 'Getting away' line for after the fireworks (restates the lastTrain advice); Hwacheon ice-plaza fee given as a range (no year-old amounts).
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