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Events & Holidays
26 articles
Istanbul’s calendar mixes arts festivals, sporting events, religious observances and national holidays. This page gathers them so you can see what a visit might coincide with and what to expect on those days. You will find cultural events such as the Istanbul Film Festival and Istanbul Jazz Festival, seasonal ones like the Istanbul Tulip Festival, and observances including Ramadan in Istanbul and Republic Day. Exact dates change, so check the official source for the current edition.
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Istanbul Marathon: Running Between Two Continents in NovemberEvery year in early November · One dayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Istanbul Film Festival: April Dates, Venues and Screening ScheduleEvery year in early April · 11 daysMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Istanbul Music Festival: Turkey’s Premier Classical Music Event in JuneEvery year in June · Two weeksMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swim: Swim from Asia to EuropeEvery year in late August · Approximately 2 hours race timeMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Republic Day in Istanbul: Parades, Fireworks and National CelebrationsEvery year on October 29 · 35 hours (begins October 28 afternoon)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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Eid al-Fitr in Istanbul: Traditions, Prayers and Holiday CelebrationsEvery year, on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic… · 3–3.5 daysMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Eid al-Adha in Istanbul: Dates, Traditions and What to ExpectEvery year on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah (Islamic lunar… · 4 daysMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Istanbul Opera and Ballet Festival: Dates, Tickets and What to SeeEvery year in late May to early June · Typically 2–3 weeksMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Istanbul Tulip Festival: Dates, Best Parks and What to ExpectEvery year in April · One monthMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Istanbul Jazz Festival: Summer Jazz Across the CityEvery year in late June and July · Approximately two weeksMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Istanbul Theatre Festival: International Theatre and Dance in NovemberEvery year in late October to early December · Six weeksMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ramadan in Istanbul: Traditions, Dates and What to ExpectEvery year in late winter/early spring; moves approximately… · 29 to 30 daysMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Akbank Jazz Festival: Istanbul’s Two-Week Jazz MarathonEvery year in late September through mid-October · About 2–3 weeksMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
New Year’s Eve in Istanbul: Fireworks, Cruises and CountdownEvery year on December 31 · One night (evening through early morning January 1)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hidirellez Festival: Istanbul’s Ancient Spring Celebration with Fire, Music and WishesEvery year on May 5–6 · 2 daysMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Istanbul Biennial: Contemporary Art Across Eight Beyoğlu VenuesBeyoğluMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Istanbul Coffee Festival: Tastings, Workshops and Music in KadıköyEvery year in early to mid-September · 4 daysMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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Event / HolidayIstanbul MarathonThe world's only marathon whose course spans two continents, Asia and Europe, with runners crossing the Bosphorus Bridge from the Asian side…FatihMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayIstanbul Film FestivalTurkey's first and oldest international film festival, organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts. Held every year in April in…BeyoğluMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayIstanbul Music FestivalTurkey's oldest and most prestigious classical music festival, held each June at iconic venues across Istanbul. Two weeks of orchestral concerts, chamber…BeyoğluMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayBosphorus Cross-Continental SwimAn annual open-water swimming race where thousands of swimmers cross the Bosphorus Strait from Asia to Europe, spanning 6.5 kilometres. Organized by…MultipleMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayRepublic DayRepublic Day on October 29 marks the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923. Istanbul fills with parades, fireworks, concerts, wreath-laying ceremonies…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayIstanbul BiennialThe Istanbul Biennial is a contemporary art exhibition held biennially in Istanbul since 1987. The current edition unfolds across eight venues throughout…BeyoğluMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayDemocracy and National Unity DayTurkey's national public holiday on July 15, commemorating those who defended democracy and national sovereignty during the 2016 coup attempt. Government offices…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayEid al-AdhaEid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two major Islamic holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide. In…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayIstanbul Tulip FestivalEvery April, millions of tulips bloom across Istanbul's parks, squares and public spaces in a month-long celebration of spring and Ottoman heritage.…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayRamadan in IstanbulRamadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a sacred period observed by Muslims worldwide through fasting, prayer, charity, and spiritual…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayNational Sovereignty and Children's DayA public holiday in Turkey and Northern Cyprus commemorating the foundation of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, on 23 April 1920.…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayIstanbul Jazz FestivalAn internationally acclaimed festival featuring jazz, soul, funk, rock and world music held annually across iconic venues in Istanbul. Organized by the…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayEid al-FitrEid al-Fitr marks the end of the month of Ramadan, a period of month-long fasting for Muslims around the world, and the…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayLabor DayMay 1 Labor Day is Turkey's national holiday honoring workers and international solidarity. In Istanbul, it brings union rallies, wreath-laying ceremonies at…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayIstanbul Opera and Ballet FestivalThe International Istanbul Opera and Ballet Festival is organized by the State Opera and Ballet Directorate each year, presenting 13 works including…Beyoğlu and KadıköyMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayAkbank Jazz FestivalIstanbul's longest-running jazz festival, bringing world-class international and Turkish musicians to multiple venues across the city over two weeks each autumn.BeyoğluMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayIstanbul Coffee FestivalTurkey's largest annual celebration of coffee culture, bringing together over 200 brands for tastings, workshops, live music, and barista competitions across a…KadıköyMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayAtatürk Commemoration DayAtatürk Commemoration Day marks the death of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, on November 10, 1938. Across the country,…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayVictory DayVictory Day (Turkish: Zafer Bayramı), also known as Turkish Armed Forces Day, is a public holiday in Turkey commemorating the decisive victory…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayIstanbul Theatre FestivalTurkey's most established theatre event, presenting international and Turkish productions across multiple venues throughout the autumn season.Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayHidirellez FestivalHidirellez is one of Turkey's oldest living folk festivals, celebrated on 5–6 May each year to mark the arrival of spring. The…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayIstanbul Book FairTurkey's largest book event held annually in December at the TÜYAP Fair Convention and Congress Center. Nearly half a million visitors come…BüyükçekmeceMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayInternational Istanbul Gastronomy FestivalTurkey's largest gastronomic competition and festival, held for 21 years. In collaboration with the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), this international…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayNevruzNevruz is celebrated on March 21 as a festival marking the arrival of spring with colorful rituals practiced for thousands of years…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayNew Year's Eve in IstanbulIstanbul marks New Year's Eve with fireworks over the Bosphorus, Bosphorus dinner cruises, street celebrations in Taksim Square, and rooftop dining at…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Event / HolidayWinter holidays in IstanbulWinter in Istanbul brings festive decorations, New Year celebrations, and holiday markets rather than a traditional Christmas season. Most attractions remain open,…Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
