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A Thousand Years of Tradition Gangneung Danoje is one of Korea's most ancient and continuously observed festivals, celebrated during the lunar Dano holiday (the fifth day of the fifth lunar month) since at least the 10th century. In 2005, UNESCO inscribed it on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity — one of only a handful of Korean festivals to receive this designation. What Happens During the Festival The centerpiece is the Gwanno Mask Dance Drama — a satirical, comedic performance with seven masked characters that mocks corrupt officials and Confucian hypocrisy. No Korean language skill is needed to follow the physical comedy. The festival also includes elaborate shamanic rituals (gut), traditional wrestling competitions (ssireum), swinging contests, and the brewing of soju from fermented iris flowers. The open-air traditional market (nanjang) is Korea's largest, with hundreds of vendors selling street food, crafts, and folk goods. Unique Customs to Try Washing your hair in water boiled with sweet flag iris (changpo) is the quintessential Dano custom — believed to bring health and ward off evil. Several stations along the festival grounds offer this experience. Visitors can also try making rice cakes and participate in the swing competition. Getting to Gangneung Gangneung is approximately 2 hours from Seoul via KTX from Cheongnyangni Station or Cheongnyangni KTX Station. The festival grounds at Namdaecheon stream are a 15-minute taxi ride from Gangneung Station. Book KTX tickets in advance — Gangneung trains fill up quickly during summer weekends.