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Dano: One of the Three Major Traditional Holidays of Joseon Korea

Hello, this is JIRO!

As we welcome June, we're back with the second post in our Korean Seasonal Customs Series. This time, we're introducing Dano, a traditional Korean holiday celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month.

This year, Dano falls on June 19 (Friday) on the solar calendar, so it's just around the corner! Let's take a look at how people in Korea have celebrated this special day throughout history.



Driving Away Misfortune and Welcoming Abundance Dano  (Korea’s High-Energy Summer Festival)
Driving Away Misfortune and Welcoming Abundance 
Dano  (Korea’s High-Energy Summer Festival)


The Most Energetic Day of the Year! This year, Dano falls on June 19 (Fri).
The Most Energetic Day of the Year!
This year, Dano falls on June 19 (Fri).

Dano falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, when the yang number five is doubled. 
It is also called Suritnal, meaning “the High Day” or “the Joyful Day.”


One of Joseon's Big 3 Holidays!

Dano was one of the three most important holidays during the Joseon Dynasty!

Dano is a holiday when people celebrate and rest after harvesting barley and finishing rice planting. It also carries the meaning of a farming ritual to pray for a bountiful harvest.


Danoje: A Traditional Ritual and  a Community Festival
Danoje: A Traditional Ritual and a Community Festival

People believed that if the Danoje ritual was not held, great misfortune would befall the village.

In the case of Gangneung Danoje, 
the village guardian deity is brought from Daegwallyeong Seonangdang Shrine and worshipped together with the female guardian deity of Gangneung City. 

Danoje begins with brewing sacred liquor to be offered to the deities.
Danoje begins with brewing sacred liquor to be offered to the deities.


A ritual is held at the Daegwallyeong Mountain Shrine, and a sacred tree is ceremonially brought down. 

On the evening before the festival,  
the Yeongsinje ritual is performed, and the sacred object is enshrined at the altar, marking the beginning of Gangneung Danoje.

It is the village’s biggest festival!!
It is the village’s biggest festival!!

In addition to the ritual ceremony, Danoje features folk traditions such as
washing hair with sweet flag roots
and swinging, as well as
harvest-prayer rituals, 
village farmers’ band performances, 
and sharing local traditional foods.

Want to enjoy Dano to the fullest this year?

Want to enjoy Dano to the fullest this year?

JIRO will be visiting the Sosa-beol Danoje Festival!


1. Sosabeol Danoje Festival
June 20, 2026 (Sat) | 09:00–17:00
Pyeongtaek Agricultural Ecology Park


2. Dano Festival of Gangneun
June 15 (Mon) – June 22 (Mon), 2026
Namdaecheon Festival Grounds, Gangneung

Early summer has arrived before we knew it! How about celebrating Dano by enjoying the festivities and taking some time to recharge?
Early summer has arrived before we knew it!

How about celebrating Dano by enjoying the festivities and taking some time to recharge?

JIRO Local Now

Did you enjoy learning about Dano, one of the three major traditional holidays of the Joseon Dynasty?

JIRO's Korean Seasonal Customs Series will continue with more stories from Korea's rich cultural heritage.

We hope you have a wonderful and joyful June!

See you in our next post!



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