Come with an empty stomach so you can sample all the amazing traditional snacks at the festival!

I had the chance to experience the Anseong Baudeogi Festival this year, and it was absolutely magical! This annual celebration brings to life the vibrant legacy of the Namsadang—the wandering performance troupes of the Joseon era who amazed audiences with acrobatics, music, puppet plays, and mask dances. The energy, color, and creativity of it all truly felt like stepping into living history. Beyond the performances, there were tons of interactive experiences. I joined in a few traditional plays, tried on colorful hanbok costumes for free, and explored workshops where visitors could dive into Korean folk culture. The food court was a whole experience on its own—filled with fragrant street food stalls offering everything from tteokbokki and hoddeok to global dishes like kebabs and churros. I even tried a special local dish from Anseong that completely won me over. After such an amazing experience, I’m definitely planning to go again next year and bring friends along to discover even more!