Gangneung Danogut is the core traditional ritual of the Gangneung Danoje Festival, a Daedonggut-style (grand communal ritual) gut that serves Guksa Seonghwangshin (the Guardian Deity of Daegwallyeong Pass) and invites various other deities.

The ritual begins with the Shinju Bitgi (brewing the sacred liquor) on the 5th day of the 4th lunar month, and the sacred tree of Daegwallyeong is escorted on the 15th day of the 4th lunar month. Then, through the Yeongsin Haengcha (Welcoming the Deities Procession) on the 3rd day of the 5th lunar month, the sacred tree is enshrined at the Namdaecheon Stream Gutdang (ritual hall), after which various gut rituals are performed continuously from morning till evening until the day Dano ends.

A key feature of Gangneung Danogut is that it is performed by seseubmu (hereditary shamans) who have inherited the shamanic profession through generations within their families. Unlike those who undergo spiritual possession, these hereditary shamans are professional shamanic priests who perform rituals based on the shamanic knowledge and skills passed down to them since childhood by parents, siblings, or relatives, possessing outstanding artistic talent.

In Gangneung Danogut, about 20 gutgeori (ritual procedures) are performed, serving a wide variety of deities. These include the main deities—Guksa Seonghwangshin and Guksa Yeoseonghwangshin (the Female Guardian Deity)—as well as the Mountain Deity, the deity overseeing childbirth and production, the deity granting longevity, the deities protecting the village and household, the deity granting wealth, and the deity warding off diseases. To truly witness and understand the meaning of the Gangneung Danoje Festival, one must see the Danogut.

Mungut (Gate Ritual) is the very first gut performed on the 3rd day of the 5th lunar month, right after enshrining the sacred tree and the spirit tablets of Daegwallyeong Guksa Seonghwangshin and Yeoseonghwangshin—the main deities of the Danoje Festival—at the Dano altar via the Yeongsin Haengcha. It holds the meaning of a rite of passage that breaks down the boundaries between shamans and people, inside and outside, and the impure and the pure, while simultaneously announcing the start of the Gangneung Danogut and opening its gates.

Gangneung Danogut is the core traditional ritual of the Gangneung Danoje Festival, a Daedonggut-style (grand communal ritual) gut that serves Guksa Seonghwangshin (the Guardian Deity of Daegwallyeong Pass) and invites various other deities.

The ritual begins with the Shinju Bitgi (brewing the sacred liquor) on the 5th day of the 4th lunar month, and the sacred tree of Daegwallyeong is escorted on the 15th day of the 4th lunar month. Then, through the Yeongsin Haengcha (Welcoming the Deities Procession) on the 3rd day of the 5th lunar month, the sacred tree is enshrined at the Namdaecheon Stream Gutdang (ritual hall), after which various gut rituals are performed continuously from morning till evening until the day Dano ends.

A key feature of Gangneung Danogut is that it is performed by seseubmu (hereditary shamans) who have inherited the shamanic profession through generations within their families. Unlike those who undergo spiritual possession, these hereditary shamans are professional shamanic priests who perform rituals based on the shamanic knowledge and skills passed down to them since childhood by parents, siblings, or relatives, possessing outstanding artistic talent.

In Gangneung Danogut, about 20 gutgeori (ritual procedures) are performed, serving a wide variety of deities. These include the main deities—Guksa Seonghwangshin and Guksa Yeoseonghwangshin (the Female Guardian Deity)—as well as the Mountain Deity, the deity overseeing childbirth and production, the deity granting longevity, the deities protecting the village and household, the deity granting wealth, and the deity warding off diseases. To truly witness and understand the meaning of the Gangneung Danoje Festival, one must see the Danogut.

Cheongjagu (Deities Seating Ritual) is a gut that, following the Mungut (Gate Ritual) which dispels impurities to cleanse the ritual hall, first enshrines Daegwallyeong Guksa Seonghwangshin and then invites and seats all the other deities revered in shamanism.

Art Phil Jazz Band, which delivers the fragrance of jazz deep into everyday life, is a professional jazz project team formed in 2021 by young and prominent artists who shared a vision for a qualitative leap in regional performing arts.

In particular, it boasts an overwhelming sound and scale generated by a magnificent ‘Full Big Band’ system consisting of 17 to 19 members. The stage to be presented this time is , where you can encounter a colorful repertoire that harmonizes tradition and modernity, ranging from a big band arrangement of Gangneung Arirang to familiar Korean pop songs and authentic jazz.
With an overwhelming brass sound and a dynamic performance that breathes together with the audience, it will be a venue of harmony enjoyed by all generations visiting the festival grounds as one.

[Geokkuro Project] is a traditional creative music group that operates under the motto, "Seeking today's solutions by reflecting on the old." Through various works based on tradition, the group aims to give the public a fresh perspective on Gugak (Korean traditional music) and expand the base of traditional music.

Upside Down Project is a performance that unfolds the rituals, play, humor, and community spirit of the Gangneung Danoje Festival within a 'flow of sound' centered on our traditional music. It translates the life stories and emotions embedded within the long-standing Danoje Festival into music, organized in a way that allows the audience to naturally join that flow.

The performance consists of a diverse repertoire centered around Pansori and folk songs. In particular, it showcases 'Dano Taryeong' and 'Gangneung Arirang,' which were newly created for this festival, revealing Gangneung's unique colors through music that captures the local characteristics and the meaning of Dano. With exhilarating music, the witty banter of the sorikkun (traditional singers), and elements of audience participation, it is a performance that anyone can easily enjoy and relate to.

Released in January 2023, carries the meaning of "returning to (RE:) the essence (Originality)." It is a seasonal project aimed at developing the value and artistry of Donghaeanshinbyeolgut (East Coast Shaman Ritual)—the foundation of the group's music—from a contemporary perspective through a process of researching, deconstructing, and reinterpreting its origins. Season 1 is a work that maximizes the percussive characteristics of East Coast shamanic music as a modern performance content, while restoring the playful joy and communicative function of the ritual (gut).

"Primitivism," "improvisation," "relationality," and "presence," which are the hallmarks of East Coast ritual music, also serve as the keywords for . It captures the functional meaning of Donghaeanshinbyeolgut—which has evolved over time into a genre content of performing arts—by attempting to break down boundaries: the physical boundary between the performers and the audience that had been separated by the stage and seating, and the role-based boundary between the munyeo (female shaman) and the yangjung (male musician) through Janggu Byeongchang (singing while playing the hourglass-shaped drum).

Furthermore, before entering the venue, audience members write down their wishes on paper strips and hang them on a stage prop designed and installed with a bamboo shindae (divine spirit pole) motif. Once the show begins, the performers enter the hall holding this wish tree and greet the audience. Through such elements, both performers and audience members can actively and independently participate in the show, allowing for an even deeper sense of immersion.

[Gangneung Civic Symphony Orchestra] is a symphony orchestra representing the Gangwon-Yeongdong region. Since its founding in September 1992 with Kwak Jin-yong, the first chief conductor, it has been operating continuously. Following its re-establishment in May 1999 to foster the cultural sentiments of Gangneung citizens and to promote the artistic development of local culture, the orchestra has pursued not only its own growth but also the perfect realization of the orchestral music world through its annual regular concerts.

The orchestra holds around 60 planned concerts a year, receiving enthusiastic responses from local residents. These include outreach concerts for residents in eup, myeon, and dong areas who receive fewer cultural benefits; school-visiting concerts serving as music education programs that give dreams and hope to students; art museum concerts aimed at helping Gangneung citizens enjoy culture and art in their daily lives; and participations in the Daegwallyeong International Music Festival. The Gangneung Civic Symphony Orchestra is Gangneung’s representative orchestra that has led the region's culture and art, delivering music from the stage closest to the citizens.

Specially prepared for the citizens of Gangneung to celebrate the 2026 Gangneung Danoje Festival, this concert will be a venue of festival where the excitement of tradition and the rich sound of the orchestra harmonize.

On this early summer night, we hope you experience a meaningful time sharing the mood of Dano through music.

[Dano Puppetry Troupe] is a professional puppetry troupe affiliated with the Gangneung Danoje Preservation Association, established to create various original performances utilizing the original contents of the Gangneung Danoje Festival. Since 2009, the troupe has been presenting the Gwanno Mask Dance Drama as a puppet show so that people of all ages can enjoy it easily and playfully.

The is a newly re-created spoken puppet show based on the "Gwanno Mask Dance Drama" of the Gangneung Danoje Festival—Korea's only non-verbal traditional mask drama expressed solely through dance and body gestures without dialogue. By infusing it with lines full of humor and wit, this production transforms the traditional piece into a spoken format.

Thanks to the spoken dialogue, the performance is easy to understand and enjoyable for all ages. Marionette puppeteers, a byeonsa (traditional narrator), and live musicians come together to enrich the stage. The characters and narrative development of the faithfully follow the original structure of the traditional Gwanno Mask Dance Drama.

Haksan Village, embracing a thousand years of history at the Gulsansa Temple Site to the south of Gangneung, is a fertile and sacred land, so much so that the saying ‘One wishes to live in Mosan and Haksan during one's lifetime (生居茅鶴山)’ has been passed down. This place is a sacred ground where Master Beomil, the main deity of the Gangneung Danoje Festival, was born, and it is a historical and cultural village that has dearly preserved , a noble labor song of our nation.

‘Odokttegi’ is a farming song imbued with the elegance of the Shilla Dynasty's Hwarang and the philosophy of mutual coexistence in cultivating noble fields. Its historical value is so high that King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty was deeply impressed by its artistry and had the performers accompany the royal procession with the etiquette due to royal musicians. Sublimating hard agricultural labor into art, this sound goes beyond a mere song to symbolize the persistent vitality and community spirit of the people of Gangneung.

, which the residents of Haksan Village have passed down from generation to generation, reenacts the entire one-year process of farming from rice planting to threshing, reviving the resonance of a thousand years ago into the festive excitement of today.

In the Gangneung Danoje Festival performance, you can directly feel the true essence of ‘Odokttegi’ imbued with the scent of the soil of the Haksan fields, ranging from the lively ‘Parae-sori’ to the upbeat ‘Jajin-arari’ and the joyfulness of ‘Maudaengi-sori’. Let us enjoy the Haksan Odokttegi performance presented by the children of Gujeong Elementary School.

This is a traditional mask dance drama that has been performed during the Gangneung Danoje Festival, which is designated as both a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Originally performed by Gwanno (government-owned slaves belonging to government offices during the Joseon Dynasty), this masked play conveyed stories through humor and satire despite the performers' restrictive social status. It stands as South Korea’s only traditional non-verbal masked play, uniquely expressed entirely through dance and gestures without any spoken dialogue.

The main characters include the Yangban Gwangdae (Nobleman), Somae Gaksi (Young Lady), two Sisi Ttakttaki (Interfering Spirits), and two Jangjamari (Fertility/Gluttonous Spirits), accompanied by musicians who lead the masked drama.

The performance consists of five gwajang (acts):
Act 1: The Jangjamari appear to liven up the atmosphere of the performance.
Act 2: The romantic courtship between Yangban Gwangdae and Somae Gaksi unfolds.
Act 3: The Sisi Ttakttaki disrupt and interfere with their love.
Act 4: A grand commotion arises due to Somae Gaksi’s suicide attempt (to prove her innocence).
Act 5: The final act brings the reconciliation of Yangban Gwangdae and Somae Gaksi, where all characters and the audience come together to dance and celebrate in total harmony.

In Gangneung, various organizations learn and preserve the tradition of Gwanno Gamenguk, and every year at the Danoje Festival, a stage is set for them to showcase their exceptional skills. On this stage performed by the students of Catholic Kwandong University, you can thoroughly enjoy a vibrant and energetic performance filled with youthful passion.

Gangneung Nongak, which was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property (currently National Intangible Cultural Heritage) in 1985, is counted among the nation's top 8 regional nongak (traditional Korean farmers' music) styles, alongside Jinju Samcheonpo Nongak, Pyeongtaek Nongak, Iri Nongak, Imsil Pilbong Nongak, Gurye Nongak, Gimcheon Geumneung Bitnae Nongak, and Namwon Nongak.

Gangneung Nongak is composed of the nonggi (farming flag), swaenap (double-reed oboe, or nallari), kkaenggwari (small gong), jing (large gong), buk (barrel drum), janggu (hourglass-shaped drum), sogo (small hand drum), beopgo (small dharma drum), and mudong (young boy dancers). The performers wear white baji-jeogori (traditional pants and jacket) wrapped with three-colored sashes of red, blue, and yellow, while the mudong wear clothes featuring a mix of various colors.

Gangneung Nongak differs from other regional styles in that a clear distinction is made between the beopgo and sogo, and a large number of mudong are included in the troupe. The metal-percussion rhythms (soegarak) are rustic and exceptionally fast, earning it a reputation as the fastest nongak in the country. Because most of the dances are performed as if running, it is wonderfully brave, vigorous, and full of vitality.

As one of the representative Yeongdong-style nongak traditions passed down east of the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, it is also referred to as Nongsapuri Nongak (farming-mimicking nongak) because it features nongsapuri, a performance that mimics and reenacts agricultural life. Centered around group play, Gangneung Nongak plays an important role in helping people forget the hardships of farming while promoting mutual harmony and village unity.

Throughout the entirety of the Gangneung Danoje Festival, nongak troupes from eight villages in the Gangneung area take turns every single day to put on exhilarating performances at the Namdaecheon Stream Ari-madang (Open-air Stage). The dynamic beopgo play and sogo dance, presented directly by local residents who preserve the original form of Gangneung Nongak—a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity—deliver the lighthearted, cheerful, and powerful energy unique to the Yeongdong region to visitors flocking to the Dano festival grounds.

Jindo Ssitgimgut is a ritual of transition (cheondo) performed to cleanse the soul of the deceased so that they may attain rebirth in the Pure Land (paradise), and it is a National Intangible Cultural Heritage representing the Honam region.

The core purpose of this gut (shamanic ritual) is to erase any lingering regrets the deceased holds toward the living world to send them to a good place, while simultaneously establishing a clear separation from the living; the name 'Ssitgim' (cleansing) itself beautifully reflects this purpose. Furthermore, Ssitgimgut serves as a prayer that expresses the wishes and aspirations of the living who are left behind.

The process of guiding the deceased to the afterlife ultimately signifies re-establishing their relationship with the living, which is a process of culturally interpreting and overcoming death. Therefore, life after the ritual can also be considered a crucial theme of this gut.

This performance consists of 'Chogamangseok,' which invites the deities to announce the start of the ritual; followed by 'Jeseokgut,' which prays for the blessings and good fortune of the living; and concludes with 'Gopuri (untangling knots), Ssitgim (cleansing), and Gildakkum (smoothing the path),' which guides the deceased to a good place in the afterlife.

Gangneung Daedohobu Gwana - Okcheon Five-way Intersection - Geumseong-ro -Seongnae-dong Square
Gangneung City's 21 Eup, Myeon, and Dong, and others

<Sintongdaegil (Street Gilnori Parade)> is a representative street-parade-style performance that unfolds along the 'Yeongsin Haengcha' (Welcoming the Deities Procession) on the 3rd day of the 5th lunar month, as the main deities of Dano head toward the Dano festival grounds. Literally meaning 'a play unfolding on the street,' it is a program that contains the excitement and wishes of the community, showcasing the very essence of Korea's representative street parades.

In Gangneung's 21 eup, myeon, and dong, more than 50,000 people participate every year to march along the street parade following the sacred tree procession, incorporating the folktales or unique characteristics of each village. The residents of Gangneung's 21 eup, myeon, and dong storytell their respective village stories to hold a masquerade procession, followed by exciting pungmulnori (traditional percussion music) and sharing food. With vehicle traffic blocked off and the citizens of Gangneung becoming the owners of the road to unleash their excitement, it can be called the true highlight of the Gangneung Danoje Festival.