Festivals & events

39 celebrations through the year — pick a day to see what's on.

• New Year's Day (1, Central Anatolia) — National public holiday marking the beginning of the new year with celebrations across the country.
• Çanakkale Anzac Day (4, Marmara) — Commemoration of the Gallipoli Campaign with military ceremonies and pilgrimages to historic war sites.
• Ramadan (3, Central Anatolia) — Islamic holy month observed throughout Turkey with fasting, evening feasts, and spiritual reflection; dates vary by lunar calendar.
• Eid al-Fitr (4, Central Anatolia) — Three-day national holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan with family gatherings, prayers, and festive meals.
• Nevruz (3, Central Anatolia) — Ancient spring festival celebrated across Turkey and Central Asia with bonfires, traditional foods, and community gatherings.
• International Istanbul Film Festival (4, Marmara) — Prestigious annual film festival showcasing international and Turkish cinema at multiple venues across Istanbul.
• National Sovereignty Day (4, Central Anatolia) — National holiday commemorating the founding of the Grand National Assembly in 1920, celebrated with parades and ceremonies.
• Kafkasor International Culture and Art Festival (5, Northeast Anatolia) — Festival celebrating Caucasian culture with traditional music, dance, and crafts in the northeast region.
• International Ankara Music Festival (5, Central Anatolia) — Premier classical music festival featuring world-renowned orchestras and soloists performing in historic venues.
• Labor Day (5, Central Anatolia) — National holiday celebrating workers' rights with parades and demonstrations across the country.
• Youth and Sports Day (5, Central Anatolia) — National holiday honoring Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's role in youth development and Turkish independence.
• Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival (6, Marmara) — Ancient wrestling tradition held for over 650 years where competitors grapple while covered in olive oil.
• International Istanbul Music Festival (6, Marmara) — Major music festival featuring classical, jazz, and world music performances in historic Istanbul locations.
• Eid al-Adha (6, Central Anatolia) — Four-day national Islamic holiday commemorating Abraham's sacrifice with family visits, animal sacrifices, and traditional meals.
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Festival (7, Central Anatolia) — Spectacular festival where hundreds of hot air balloons fill the sky above Cappadocia's fairy chimneys at sunrise.
• Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival (7, Mediterranean) — Prestigious festival featuring world-class opera and ballet performances in the ancient 2,000-year-old Aspendos Theatre.
• Troy Festival (8, Aegean) — Cultural festival celebrating the legendary Trojan War with theatrical performances and exhibitions at the UNESCO World Heritage site.
• International Izmir Fair (8, Aegean) — Turkey's oldest and largest trade fair attracting international exhibitors and visitors for weeks of commerce and cultural celebration.
• Ayder Plateau Festival (8, Black Sea) — High-altitude festival in the lush Rize region featuring folk dancing, traditional music, and local tea culture celebrations.
• Marmaris International Bodrum Cup Regatta (10, Aegean) — Premier sailing event attracting international superyachts for a week of racing along the Turkish Riviera coast.
• Gaziantep Baklava Festival (9, Southeast Anatolia) — Celebration of Turkey's baklava capital featuring traditional pastry-making demonstrations, tastings, and competitions.
• Golden Orange Film Festival (10, Mediterranean) — Major Turkish film festival in Antalya showcasing national and international cinema with awards and premieres.
• Republic Day (10, Central Anatolia) — National holiday commemorating the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1923 with fireworks, parades, and official ceremonies.
• International Bursa Festival (9, Marmara) — Multi-week festival featuring classical concerts, traditional performances, and cultural exhibitions in the historic silk city.
• Pergamon Festival (7, Aegean) — Cultural festival at the ancient Pergamon site featuring theater productions, concerts, and exhibitions honoring Hellenistic heritage.
• Kayseri Stone Festival (9, Central Anatolia) — Festival celebrating Cappadocia's volcanic stone architecture with sculpture exhibitions, craft demonstrations, and cultural events.
• Antalya International Diving Festival (10, Mediterranean) — Festival for diving enthusiasts exploring the Mediterranean's underwater archaeological sites and marine ecosystems.
• Turkish Islamic Arts Festival (11, Central Anatolia) — Festival showcasing calligraphy, miniature painting, traditional crafts, and Islamic cultural heritage across multiple venues.
• Çeşme International Song Festival (7, Aegean) — Prestigious international music festival featuring world-renowned singers performing in the beautiful seaside resort town.
• Diyarbakır Culture and Art Festival (5, Southeast Anatolia) — Festival celebrating Kurdish and Mesopotamian cultural heritage with traditional music, dance, crafts, and exhibitions.
• Rize Tea Festival (5, Black Sea) — Celebration of Turkey's tea culture in the lush highlands with tea picking demonstrations, tastings, and traditional performances.
• Harmandalı Cherry Festival (6, Black Sea) — Festival celebrating the region's prized cherry harvest with fruit tastings, traditional crafts, and folk performances.
• Mount Ararat Festival (8, Eastern Anatolia) — Festival honoring the region's natural heritage with mountaineering events, cultural performances, and local crafts.
• Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Festival (9, Aegean) — Festival celebrating maritime archaeology with exhibitions, lectures, and guided tours of the famous Bodrum underwater museum.
• Ephesus Festival (7, Aegean) — Theatrical performances and concerts at the ancient Odeon theater in Ephesus celebrating Greco-Roman cultural heritage.
• Istanbul Biennial (9, Marmara) — Major contemporary art exhibition held in odd-numbered years showcasing international artists and emerging talent across multiple venues.
• Turkish Day (8, Central Anatolia) — National holiday commemorating Turkish military victory on August 30, 1922, celebrated with military ceremonies and public events.
• Mevlana Festival (12, Central Anatolia) — Spiritual festival celebrating the death and spiritual ascension of Sufi poet Mevlana with whirling dervish ceremonies and performances.
• New Year (Orthodox) (1, Marmara) — Orthodox Christian New Year celebration observed in Istanbul and other historically Christian areas according to the Julian calendar.