Your ultimate guide to exploring and writing about Turkey
Turkey hosts a vibrant array of festivals that reflect its rich cultural tapestry, blending ancient traditions, Islamic heritage, secular national celebrations, and contemporary arts. Here is a categorized guide to the major festivals in Turkey:
These are nationwide public holidays with official ceremonies and public events.
April 23: National Sovereignty and Children's Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı): A unique holiday gifted by Atatürk to children, featuring performances by children in stadiums and schools.
May 19: Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Atatürk'ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı): Marked with sports events, parades, and ceremonies.
October 29: Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı): Celebrates the proclamation of the Republic in 1923 with fireworks, parades, concerts, and flags adorning every building.
These follow the lunar Hijri calendar, with dates shifting approximately 10-11 days earlier each Gregorian year.
Ramadan (Ramazan): The holy month of fasting from dawn to sunset. Evenings are festive with iftar (fast-breaking meals). The Mahya – traditional lights hung between minarets – illuminate mosques in Istanbul.
Ramadan Festival (Ramazan Bayramı / Şeker Bayramı): A 3-day festival marking the end of Ramadan. It involves visiting family and elders, offering sweets (hence "Şeker Bayramı"), giving gifts to children, and charitable acts.
Feast of the Sacrifice (Kurban Bayramı): A 4-day festival coinciding with the Hajj pilgrimage. Families who can afford it sacrifice a sheep or goat, distributing the meat to family, neighbors, and the poor. It's a major travel period.
International İstanbul Film Festival (April): One of the most prestigious film festivals in the region.
International İstanbul Music Festival (June): A world-class festival of classical, opera, and ballet held in historic venues like the Hagia Irene Museum.
Kirkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival (Edirne, late June/early July): The world's oldest continuously held sporting event (since 1362). Wrestlers (pehlivan) cover themselves in olive oil and compete for the golden belt.
Camel Wrestling Festival (Various Aegean towns like Selçuk, winter months): A unique traditional spectacle where specially bred Tulu camels wrestle in a controlled manner.
Mesir Macunu Festival (Manisa, around March/April): Celebrates the 15th-century healing paste "Mesir Macunu" with a colorful ceremony where the paste is scattered from a mosque's minaret.
Hıdırellez (Celebrated nationwide on the night of May 5-6): A spring festival celebrating the meeting of prophets Hızır (representing rebirth) and İlyas. Celebrations include making wishes, picnics, jumping over fires, and tying wishes to trees.
Tulip Festival (İstanbul, April): The city plants tens of millions of tulips in parks and along avenues, celebrating its historical role in tulip cultivation. Emirgan Grove is the epicenter.
Rose Harvest Festival (Isparta, late May/early June): Celebrates the harvest of roses used for world-famous Turkish rose oil. Features parades and cultural events.
Whirling Dervish Ceremonies (Sema):
Şeb-i Arus (Konya, December): The most significant ceremony, commemorating the "wedding night" (death) of Rumi with elaborate Sema rituals.
Performances are also held year-round in Istanbul (at the Galata Mevlevihanesi) and other cities.
International Antalya Film Festival (October): Turkey's oldest and most prominent international film festival, also known as the "Golden Orange" festival.
İstanbul Biennial (alternating years, autumn): A major contemporary art exhibition.
İstanbul Jazz Festival (July): Features international and Turkish jazz stars in unique venues.
Rock'n Coke / Rock'n Istanbul: One of Turkey's largest rock festivals (dates and names vary).
Ephesus International Festival (Selçuk/İzmir, summer): Concerts and performances held in the magnificent ancient theatre of Ephesus.
Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival (Antalya, summer): Performances in the exceptionally well-preserved Roman theater of Aspendos.
International Air Games (Ölüdeniz, October): A paragliding festival and competition over the stunning Blue Lagoon.
Grape Harvest Festivals (Üzüm Hasat Şenlikleri): Held in wine-producing regions like Cappadocia (Ürgüp) and Thrace in autumn.
International Puppet Festival (İstanbul, May): A long-running festival featuring puppet troupes from around the world.
Planning: Always double-check dates, as Islamic festivals shift and some event dates change annually.
Bayram Travel: During Ramazan Bayramı and Kurban Bayramı, domestic travel peaks. Book transportation and accommodation far in advance, and expect closures on the first day.
Respect: During Ramadan, it's polite to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours in conservative areas.
Tickets: For major arts festivals (Istanbul Music Festival, Aspendos Opera), book tickets well ahead.
Turkey's festival calendar offers a profound way to experience its soul—where ancient rituals, passionate artistry, and heartfelt hospitality converge.