Holidays in Turkey and Cultural Festivals
Turkey is a country rich in cultural heritage, and each year, visitors and locals alike enjoy the experience of participating in Turkey’s unique festivals. The country hosts a wide range of activities and cultural events throughout the year.
With a rich blend of different types of festivals makes Turkey a fascinating destination for cultural enthusiasts, and making your holiday coincide with a festival is a wonderful way of experiencing the real Turkey.
Key Takeaways
- Turkey hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year.
- Traditional festivals offer insights into the country’s rich heritage.
- Music and the arts play a significant role in Turkey’s cultural landscape.
- Both international ballet festivals and traditional dance festivals exist.
- Some visitors may choose not to travel during the holy month of Ramadan and other religious festivals in order to avoid fasting.
- This events calendar will help you plan your trip to coincide with local and national events, allowing you to enjoy your holidays in Turkey even more.
Festivals in Istanbul 2024
Spring (March-May)
Istanbul Gastronomy Festival (February)
The event is a celebration of Turkey’s diverse culinary heritage, featuring tastings from top chefs, cooking workshops, and food-related panels. It often highlights lesser-known regional dishes and emerging food trends. The festival occasionally features live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, offering unique insights into traditional and modern Turkish cooking techniques.
Istanbul International Film Festival (April)
The Istanbul film festival showcases a diverse selection of films from around the world, with workshops and panels exploring various aspects of cinema. The festival sometimes includes retrospectives of classic films and special tributes to influential filmmakers.
Istanbul Tulip Festival (April-May)
This festival honours Turkey’s national flower with vibrant displays of tulips in parks and public spaces, alongside cultural activities such as traditional music and dance. Istanbul’s Sultanahmet Square transforms into a massive tulip garden, with over 30 different types of tulips displayed.
Hıdrellez Festival (May)
Marking the arrival of spring, this traditional festival includes street celebrations, folk music, dance performances, and regional foods. It’s believed that the festival’s rituals and folklore have roots in pre-Islamic Anatolian traditions.
Summer (June-August)
Cherry Festival (June)
This is a local celebration of the cherry harvest, featuring street parties, cherry-themed dishes, and live music. This is a typical festival for Turkish families, where everyone can join in. Some versions of the festival include cherry-picking excursions to local orchards, where visitors can pick their own cherries.
Istanbul International Music Festival (June)
The International Istanbul Music Festival showcases performances by renowned orchestras and soloists from around the world, held in various historical venues across Istanbul. The festival showcases all types of music, with a particular focus on Turkish music, making it one of the most popular in the city and widely regarded as the best music event in the country.
Concerts often take place in historical landmarks such as outside Hagia Irene, the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, and other places around the city. There are plenty of chances to listen to free live music, so it is excellent for travellers on a budget.
International Istanbul Jazz Festival (July)
The Akbank Jazz festival showcases performances by top jazz musicians from around the world, with concerts held in multiple venues throughout the city. The festival often includes free open-air concerts, offering jazz enthusiasts a chance to experience world-class music in public spaces.
The Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swim Race (August)
Participants in this annual event swim from Asia to Europe across the Bosphorus Strait, offering a unique chance to cross continents in a single swim. This race is one of the few in the world that allows swimmers to cross continents.
Istanbul Shopping Fest (June)
A month-long shopping extravaganza focused on shopping and entertainment, with significant discounts, cultural events, and street performances. The festival often includes fashion shows and pop-up markets featuring local designers and artisans.
Autumn (September-November)
Istanbul Coffee Festival (September)
The event celebrates coffee culture with various activities, including tasting sessions, coffee-related workshops, and demonstrations by baristas. The festival often features rare and exotic coffee beans, offering a chance to taste some of the world’s most sought-after brews.
Istanbul Biennial (September-November, every two years)
Various venues in the city host a major contemporary art event showcasing works by international and local artists.
The Biennial includes site-specific installations, with some artworks created in response to Istanbul’s urban landscape.
The International Istanbul Art Fair, also known as Art International Istanbul, will take place in September.
It brings together artists, galleries, and collectors for exhibitions and workshops, highlighting the latest trends in contemporary art. The fair often features interactive art installations and live art performances, allowing visitors to engage directly with the art.
Süreyya Opera House Festival (October)
The event celebrates opera and classical performances at the historic Süreyya Opera House, known for its architectural beauty and acoustics. Built in 1927 and designed in the Art Deco style, the Süreyya Opera House is a unique venue for opera in Istanbul.
Istanbul Design Biennial (October)
The exhibition focuses on design and innovation with various installations, discussions, and workshops, featuring cutting-edge designs from around the world. The biennial often includes experimental design projects and interactive exhibits that challenge traditional notions of design. Check out the Istanbul travel guide for more information about the city.
Other Turkish Festivals 2024
There are events and festivals that take place in Turkey throughout the year.
Spring (March – May)
Hıdırellez Spring Festival – All Over Turkey
Hıdırellez is the spring festival that is celebrated across Turkey, marking the end of winter and the arrival of spring on 6th May. It is a time for hope based on ancient traditions.
During Hıdırellez, people often prepare special meals and gather to perform rituals for good luck in the coming year. Common practices include decorating homes and gardens with flowers and herbs, symbolising fertility and growth. It is particularly popular in the Black Sea and Eastern Regions.
North Western Turkey
Kocaeli International Guitar Festival (April)
Enjoy performances by renowned guitarists from around the world, along with workshops and masterclasses.
Bursa Festival of Turkish Classical Music (May)
Experience Turkish classical music through concerts and performances by prominent musicians and ensembles.
Edirne Balkan Music Festival (May)
Celebrate Balkan musical traditions with lively performances, folk dances, and cultural workshops.
Aegean Region
Alaçatı Herb Festival (April)
Participate in herb collection competitions, food workshops, and seminars on wild herbs and sustainable foraging.
Barbaros Village Festival (May)
Enjoy local culture with exhibitions of traditional crafts, culinary events, and folk dances.
Mediterranean Region
Alanya International Tourism and Art Festival (May-June)
Features concerts, exhibitions, and cultural activities aimed at showcasing Alanya’s heritage.
Adana Orange Blossom Carnival (April)
Experience Adana´s parades, concerts, and cultural festivities celebrating the blooming of orange trees.
Central Turkey
The Cappadox Festival (May)
This is another popular music event, focusing on music, contemporary art, and outdoor experiences. The festival usually takes place in May in Cappadocia, a region famous for its unique rock formations and fairy chimneys,
Ankara International Film Festival (April-May)
The Ankara film festival offers a platform for Turkish and international films, including documentaries and short films, with a focus on emerging talents.
Ankara Music Festival (April)
Highlights classical music with performances by orchestras and soloists from around the world.
South Eastern Turkeys
Şanlıurfa International Music and Dance Festival (April)
Features traditional music and dance performances from local and international artists, celebrating the region’s cultural heritage.
Mardin Culture and Art Festival (May)
Mardin‘s diverse culture is showcased through concerts, theatre performances, and art exhibitions.
Summer (June – August)
North Western Turkey
Oil Wrestling Festival The Korkpnar Oil Wrestling Festival is one of Turkey’s oldest and most well-known festivals. Held annually in Edirne, it dates back to the Ottoman era in the 14th century.
During this event, wrestlers cover themselves in olive oil and compete in matches. The festival draws thousands of visitors to witness these intense battles.
Çanakkale International Troia Festival (June)
This festival celebrates the ancient city of Troy with historical re-enactments, archaeological workshops, and cultural performances.
Tekirdağ Rakı Festival (July)
A festival dedicated to Rakı, featuring tastings, food pairings, and cultural events. Raki is a strong alcoholic Turkish drink that is similar in some ways to Greek Ouzo
Bursa Karagöz Shadow Play Festival (August)
Bursa showcases traditional Turkish shadow puppet theatre performances, celebrating the art of Karagöz and Hacivat.
Aegean Region
Kuşadası Gençlik Festivali (Youth Festival) (July)
Kuşadası festival features concerts and activities for young people, with performances by popular Turkish and international artists.
Bodrum International Ballet Festival (August)
The ancient theatre of Bodrum hosts ballet performances by national and international companies.
Mediterranean Region
International Izmir Festival (June-July)
The Izmir event features a blend of art, culture, dance, and music performances.
Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival (June-July)
Aspendos, near Antalya offers opera and ballet performances in the ancient Roman theatre of Aspendos.
Kaş Lycian Festival (June)
Kaş celebrates the ancient Lycian civilisation with various events, including boat tours and underwater archaeological explorations.
Central Turkey
Konya Mystic Music Festival (Date varies)
Konya: Celebrates Sufi music and culture with performances by whirling dervishes and Sufi musicians from around the world.
South Eastern Turkey
Adana Kebab Festival
Adana which many people consider the capital of Turkish kebabs, has demonstrations, tasting sessions, and competitions for the best kebab. It is a foodie paradise despite being a very hot place in the summer.
Nemrut Festival (June)
Adıyaman: Celebrates Mount Nemrut with cultural performances and guided tours, including sunrise and sunset visits to the summit.
St. Peter’s Festival (June)
Antakya, Hatay: Features religious ceremonies and cultural events celebrating the Feast of St. Peter.
Autumn (September – November)
North Western Turkey
The Camel Wrestling Festival (September)
This festival takes place in Selçuk, near Ephesus, and celebrates the unique tradition of camel wrestling. It features camel wrestling in a safe environment, as well as a variety of cultural activities.
Edirne Selimiye Mosque Festival (September)
Edirne celebrates the architectural and cultural significance of the Selimiye Mosque with music, lectures, and tours.
Kocaeli International Cycling Festival (October)
Features competitive cycling events, workshops on cycling safety, and community rides. It is a popular sporting event at the end of October, when the weather is cooler.
Çanakkale Wine Festival (October)
Çanakkale celebrates local wine production with tastings, vineyard tours, and workshops on wine-making.
Aegean Region
Dikili International Olive Harvest Festival (October)
Includes olive-picking competitions, workshops on olive oil production, and culinary tastings.
Mediterranean Region
Side International Culture and Art Festival (September)
Features concerts, theatre performances, and art exhibitions set in ancient Roman ruins.
Ölüdeniz Air Games (October)
Ölüdeniz, near Fethiye: Includes paragliding competitions, air shows, and cultural events.
Central Turkey
Cappadocia Balloon and Culture Road Festival (September-October)
Offers over 300 events, including exhibitions, concerts, and hot air balloon activities.
Ürgüp International Wine Festival (October)
Ürgüp, Cappadocia: Celebrates turkey’s wine-making tradition with tastings, vineyard tours, and workshops.
South Eastern Turkey
Gaziantep International Gastronomy Festival (GastroAntep) (September)
Gaziantep showcases its rich culinary heritage through a variety of local dishes, cooking workshops, and food tastings. It is considered to be one of the best food festivals in the country.
Zeugma Mosaic Festival (October)
This annual festival features cultural events that showcase the best ancient mosaics from the Zeugma Mosaic Museum.
Winter Festivals
Central Turkey
Mevlana Whirling Dervishes Festival (December 2024)
Konya commemorates Rumi with Sema ceremonies and educational programs centred on Sufi culture. It serves as one of the final celebrations in Turkey for the year 2024. This hypnotic ceremony is not only an important religious event but is also a work of living art.
Religious Festivals
Turkey officially became a secular state after the war of independence ended and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, became the founder of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. He declared that democratic legislation would govern the country. Despite this, Islamic values continue to strongly influence the country, and religious events hold great significance for many Turkish people.
The Islamic calendar, including the holy month of Ramadan, is calculated by the lunar calendar, with Eid or Bayram coming after a month of fasting. Ramadan starts 11 days earlier each year, so it is always a good idea to check your dates before visiting Turkey to see if they will coincide.
Travelling during the religious holidays, such as Bayram in Turkey, tends to be more expensive, and if you are on a budget, it will make a difference to your accommodation costs.
Final Thoughts
Festivals and cultural celebrations take place all over Turkey each year. If you plan your holiday well, it can often coincide with wonderful local festivals and events, helping you create memories that will stay with you for years to come.
