Photo Essay

Korean Festivals

Korea hosts a wide variety of festivals all year round,
combining international trends and regional specialties.

Gangneung Danoje festival, UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage of humanity and national intangible cultural heritage 13.
The Youngshin parade to escort the guardian deity’s party to the Dano altar. © GangNeung Danoje Festival

Lanterns raised by participants at the Gangneung Danoje festival are lighting up the night sky. © GangNeung Danoje Festival

At the center of all these festivals lies a unique sense of joy and style.

Visitors pose while looking at the large mask installation at the Andong Mask Dance Festival. Photo by Kim Hak-su, selected entry © Andong Maskdance Festival

Mask dance performance at Andong Mask Dance festival. Photo by Park Mi-young, selected entry © Andong Maskdance Festival

With such a unique sense, many Korean festivals
build up their own character and history.

International tourists enjoying a muddy experience at the Boryeong Mud Festival. ©Boryeong Mud Festival Organization Committee

Hangang River Night Walk at the Hangang Summer Festival. Visitors are enjoying the midsummer night by the Hangang River. © Seoul Metropolitan Government