Hidirellez Festival: Istanbul’s Ancient Spring Celebration with Fire, Music and Wishes

Hidirellez celebrations in Istanbul are some of the biggest and most jubilant in Turkey. The name combines the names of two Islamic prophets — Hızır and Ilyas (Elijah) — who according to tradition meet on earth each year on this night.

Many customs observed during Hidirellez can be traced back to ancient Anatolian, Mesopotamian, and Central Asian shamanistic beliefs celebrating the renewal of nature, and these pre-Islamic spring rituals seamlessly merged with later religious traditions. For visitors in Istanbul during early May, the festival offers a rare glimpse into authentic cultural traditions with fire-jumping, music, dancing, and wish-making rituals.

Current access notice: As of October 2026: Hidirellez 2027 will take place on May 5–6. Check the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality website or official tourism sources for confirmed venue locations and programs, as celebration sites and formal events may vary year to year.

Quick Facts

Type	Recurring event
When	Every year on May 5–6
Next occurrence	May 5 (same date every year)
Typical duration	2 days
Public holiday	No, an observance (regular working day)
Admission	free
Best time to visit	Hidirellez is a participatory festival rather than a performance; dress comfortably and in layers, as May evenings in Istanbul can still be cool, especially near the water. The festival runs across the evening of May 5 and into the day of May 6. Arrive early in the evening (around 6–7 p.m.) to experience the festival before crowds reach critical density, and to see the bonfire rituals and initial street celebrations.

Dates, programs and prices change from year to year. Always check the official website for the current edition.

Tickets and Booking for Hidirellez Festival

Entry is free. Hidirellez is a publicly celebrated folk festival that occurs annually on May 5–6. No ticket purchase is required to participate in street celebrations or attend informal neighborhood festivities.

Organized festival venues may be announced by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality or cultural organizations, and details typically become available a few weeks before the festival. Street celebrations in neighborhoods like Ahırkapı and at designated parks like Küçükçiftlik Park are open to the public without reservation. For information on specific programs, scheduled performances, or organized events at particular venues, check the official Istanbul tourism website or the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality website as May approaches.

Why Visit Hidirellez Festival?

It’s one of Turkey’s oldest and most quietly magical celebrations, and you don’t need to be religious – or even Turkish – to take part. Hidirellez is a participatory festival rather than a performance — you are welcome to join the dancing, write a wish, or simply watch the bonfire.

Hidirellez customs can be traced back to ancient Anatolian, Mesopotamian, and Central Asian shamanistic beliefs. The festival’s rituals of fire-jumping and wish-making offer genuine insight into Turkish spring traditions that have survived for centuries, and the atmosphere is warm and inclusive, especially amid the live music and street celebrations.

What to Expect at Hidirellez Festival

In the days leading up to May 5, people write wishes on slips of paper, tie them to rose branches, or place small handmade objects representing their desires near rose bushes or in gardens overnight, with the belief that Hızır passes through in the night and may grant these requests.

Hidirellez is famous for fire-jumping; leaping over a fire pit three times whilst repeating incantations is said to ward off bad illness and disease in the coming year. Bathing in a nearby water source is believed to bring good health for the year ahead by cleansing one of any impurities. Other modern practices include writing future wishes and sending them into the sea or river as offerings.

Traditionally all neighborhoods host a carnival-like atmosphere with street musicians and people dancing in the streets. Another custom is to feast on lamb.

Highlights of Hidirellez Festival

Bonfire Jumping

Hidirellez is famous for fire-jumping: participants leap over a fire pit three times whilst repeating incantations, which is said to ward off bad illness and disease in the coming year. The ritual symbolizes purification and the release of winter's heaviness. Fire-jumping is a central visual element of the festival and creates the most memorable photo opportunities. Wear comfortable clothes as you may want to participate, and observe from a safe distance if watching from the crowd.

Tip: Arrive early in the evening when the bonfires are being prepared to see the fire-jumping rituals at their peak, before crowds become very dense.

Wish-Writing Rituals

People write wishes on slips of paper, tie them to rose branches, or place small handmade objects representing their desires in gardens overnight. There is a beautiful custom of writing wishes and tying them to a Wishing Tree – at dawn on the 6th of May, these wishes are taken down and put into the river. Visitors can participate by writing a wish on paper provided at the festival grounds and placing it on designated trees or sending it into the water.

Tip: Write your wish before arriving at the festival; bring pen and paper or ask festival volunteers for assistance in this ritual.

Street Music and Dancing

Skilled wandering minstrels from the Balkan and Romani gypsy culture are out in full force drumming and playing their Davul Zurna, and almost everyone around will be joining in by dancing to the beat and even in the streets. The music alone — particularly at Ahırkapı — makes the evening worth attending even without understanding the cultural context in detail.

Tip: Position yourself near street corners and open squares where musicians gather; the music and dancing energy intensifies as the night progresses.

Traditional Feasting

Happy people nosh on grilled sausage sandwiches or homemade stuffed grape leaves, drink beer, and photograph the festivities from all angles. Lamb is a traditional feast food for Hidirellez. Many neighborhoods and families prepare traditional spring dishes, and street vendors sell grilled meats and regional specialties.

Tip: Come hungry and bring cash; most food vendors at the festival are informal street sellers rather than established restaurants, though prices are budget-friendly.

Water Rituals and Cleansing

Bathing in a nearby water source is believed to bring good health for the year ahead by cleansing one of any impurities, and this ceremony in Edirne is by the shores of the river. It is a tradition to wash one's face with the morning dew on Hidirellez morning, an act believed to bring beauty and good fortune.

Tip: If celebrating near water, participate in face-washing rituals at dawn for the most authentic experience; this is considered especially auspicious.

Garden and Seed-Planting Customs

Planting seeds or sprouts is a common Hidirellez tradition, symbolizing new beginnings, growth and fertility. Guests are invited to dress in white and to take part in wish-making, games, bonfire-jumping and seed-planting rituals. Modern festival venues often provide seeds and symbolic planting areas.

Tip: If the festival includes seed-planting, wear white or light colors as traditionally done; this is especially encouraged at organized venues like Küçükçiftlik Park.

What It Means for Your Visit

Hidirellez celebrations in Istanbul are some of the biggest and most jubilant in Turkey. During May 5–6, expect significant crowds in traditional festival neighborhoods like Ahırkapı and at modern venues such as Küçükçiftlik Park. Street celebrations typically involve temporary street closures, increased pedestrian congestion, and street musicians and vendors setting up throughout the evening.

Restaurants and bars in neighborhoods hosting celebrations will be extremely busy, and many may operate on special festival schedules. Check the official Istanbul tourism website for the current year’s venue locations, as celebrations have moved between traditional neighborhoods and designated parks in recent years. The festival is free to attend, though food and drinks purchased at street vendors involve standard pricing.

Atmosphere

Hidirellez is a springtime celebration that takes over the streets of Istanbul and is a wild, raucous time. Roving groups of musicians play loudly while girls wearing belly dancing bangles and flower crowns shake and spin; men form tight circles and do traditional dances; and all around them, happy people nosh on grilled sausage sandwiches or homemade stuffed grape leaves, drink beer, and photograph the festivities. Traditionally all neighborhoods host a carnival-like atmosphere with street musicians and people dancing in the streets. May evenings in Istanbul can still be cool, especially near the water; the atmosphere is warm and inclusive, and the music alone makes the evening worth attending.

History of Hidirellez Festival

Turkish communities around the world celebrate Hidirellez on May 6 while Christians in the Balkans mark it as St. George’s day on April 23. The roots of the celebration pre-date Islam or Christianity, with some theories saying Hidirellez has stemmed from Mesopotamian and Anatolian cultures while others claim its roots derive from the Turkic peoples of central Asia.

The name fuses two figures from Islamic and pre-Islamic tradition: Hızır, the green-robed immortal who walks the earth bringing fertility and aid to those in need, and İlyas (the prophet Elijah), associated with the seas and waters. Folk belief holds that the two prophets travel separately throughout the year – Hızır across land, İlyas across water – and meet on a single evening each spring.

Hidirellez celebrates the day the Prophets Hizir (Khidr) and Ilyas (Elijah) met on Earth. Ceremonies performed to honor Hizir, believed to be a healer and Ilyas, believed to be a bringer of water involve fire, feasting and dancing. Across the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, different traditions and rituals have developed, many which are focused on bringing good luck with the arrival of spring, and while differing greatly from country to country, the event is often marked with the cleaning of homes and clothes, feasting or ceremonies held near open water or shrines.

The Turkish spring festival Hidirellez has been added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Celebrating Hidirellez in the neighborhood of Ahırkapı has become a steadfast tradition for many an Istanbullu ever since the first one was held in 2000. Hidirellez used to be celebrated in the colorful Ahırkapı neighborhood, where thousands would flock out to play music and dance in the streets and where possible jump over bonfires, but perhaps due to the immense growing popularity of the event and the immense crowds and congestion as a result, in Istanbul in recent years Hidirellez is celebrated at Küçükçiftlik Park with a combination of modern Turkish musical outfits performing to a picnic-like gathering where guests can sit at tables and enjoy the full day’s festivities.

Food Nearby

Street vendors throughout festival neighborhoods sell grilled sausage sandwiches, lamb kebabs, and homemade stuffed grape leaves. Restaurants in areas hosting Hidirellez (such as neighborhoods near Ahırkapı or parks hosting celebrations) will be busy during festival hours; expect casual, crowded dining if eating at established venues. Most food at the festival itself comes from informal street vendors rather than sit-down restaurants.

What to Bring

Dress comfortably and in layers; May evenings in Istanbul can still be cool, especially near the water. Bring cash for food and drinks from street vendors. Comfortable walking shoes* are essential due to crowded streets. If participating in fire-jumping or water rituals, wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty or wet. A small notepad and pen are useful for writing wishes.

Best Views and Photo Spots of Hidirellez Festival

Bonfire gathering areas

Fire-jumping is the most iconic Hidirellez ritual, with participants leaping over fire pits whilst repeating incantations. Position yourself at a safe distance from the flames to capture the visual drama and silhouettes of jumpers against the fire.

Best time: Early evening (7–9 p.m.) when bonfires are brightest and crowds are still manageable; sunset light enhances the fire's visual impact.

Street music and dancing clusters

Skilled wandering minstrels from the Balkan and Romani gypsy culture play their Davul Zurna, and almost everyone around joins in by dancing to the beat. Roving musicians in tight street groups create dynamic, energetic compositions.

Best time: Mid-evening (8–10 p.m.) when street musicians are most active and dancers are in full swing; avoid waiting until late night when conditions become too crowded.

Wish-writing trees and ritual areas

There is a beautiful custom of writing wishes and tying them to a Wishing Tree. These designated trees, often decorated with colorful papers and offerings, provide symbolic and visually interesting compositions.

Best time: Afternoon or early evening on May 5 for clearer light and fewer crowds; participants are actively writing and placing wishes during late afternoon.

Food vendor areas and street feasting

Happy people nosh on grilled sausage sandwiches or homemade stuffed grape leaves, drink beer, and photograph the festivities from all angles. Street food preparation and communal eating scenes capture the festival's celebratory, sociable atmosphere.

Best time: Early evening when food preparation is active and lighting is still natural; mid-evening for livelier crowd scenes.

Ahırkapı neighborhood streets (if celebrations occur there)

In Istanbul, revelers from all over the city gather in the Ahirkapi neighborhood, located a short 7-minute walk from the Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque. Narrow streets fill with dancers, musicians, and crowds; the historic neighborhood backdrop adds character.

Best time: Late evening when the neighborhood is fully activated (9–11 p.m.); bring a good zoom or wide-angle lens for tight street spaces.

Photography Rules

Photography is freely permitted throughout the festival. Bring a phone or camera to capture the fire-jumping, street musicians, and dancing. Be respectful when photographing people; ask permission before taking close-up portraits of individuals. The festival is vibrant and photogenic, especially during evening hours when bonfires are lit.

Family Suitability

Hidirellez is family-friendly in its daytime and early-evening forms, when wish-making and seed-planting rituals occur. However, the festival becomes very crowded and rowdy as night progresses, with dense crowds, alcohol consumption, and loud street music. Young children may become overwhelmed by noise and crowds; attend early in the evening (6–8 p.m.) rather than late night if bringing small children. The festival is open-air with no strollers or seating, and street conditions are uneven and crowded. Teenagers and older children will enjoy the music, dancing, and participatory rituals. Always keep young children close in crowds and be prepared to leave if conditions become unsafe.

Istanbul Vibes Tips

• Arrive between 6–8 p.m. rather than later in the evening. The festival reaches extreme crowding capacity after 10 p.m., and the most visually interesting elements (bonfire-jumping and organized street performances) happen in the earlier evening. You'll have more space to move and better sight lines to the action.
• Write a wish before you arrive. Bring a small piece of paper and pen, or ask festival volunteers for paper. The ritual is more meaningful if you've prepared your wish in advance, and you won't be scrambling at the crowded festival to find writing materials.
• Wear white or light clothing if possible, especially if attending a formally organized venue like Küçükçiftlik Park. This is a traditional Hidirellez practice that deepens the participatory experience, and the dress code is often informally encouraged at organized events.
• Bring substantial cash. Most food and drink vendors throughout the festival are informal street sellers that accept cash only. ATMs in the area may have lines, and card payments are uncommon for street food.
• Don't assume the festival location or program stays the same every year. In recent years, celebrations have moved from the traditional Ahırkapı neighborhood to parks like Küçükçiftlik Park due to crowding. Check Istanbul's official tourism or municipal websites in late April for confirmed 2027 venue information and any organized programs.
• If fire-jumping interests you, watch from a respectful distance and ask permission before approaching jumpers for photos. The ritual is serious and participatory, not a performance, and locals appreciate visitors who observe with genuine respect rather than as passive tourists.

Explore Nearby Hidirellez Festival

Sights near Hidirellez Festival

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  Topkapi Palace · typical visit: 3–4 hours without Harem; 4–5 hours with Harem15 min on foot from Gülhane metro, Open 09:00–18:30, closed Tue
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  Hagia Sophia · typical visit: 1–1.5 hours8 min on foot from Gülhane metro, Open daily 09:00–19:30
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  Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
  Blue Mosque · typical visit: 45–75 minutes3 min on foot from Gülhane metro
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  Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
  Galata Bridge · typical visit: 30 minutes to 1 hour10 min on foot from Haliç metro, Open 24 hours
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  Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
  Byzantine Hippodrome · typical visit: 1-2 hours5 min on foot from Gülhane metro, Open 24 hours

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FAQ: Hidirellez Festival

What exactly is Hidirellez and who celebrates it?

Hidirellez is one of Turkey's oldest living folk festivals, celebrated on 5–6 May each year to mark the arrival of spring. The name combines the names of two Islamic prophets — Hızır and Ilyas (Elijah) — who according to tradition meet on earth each year on this night. The festival blends Islamic symbolism with much older Anatolian and Balkan spring rites, and versions of it are observed across Turkey, the Balkans, and Central Asia.

Is Hidirellez a public holiday in Turkey?

Hidirellez is a traditional folk observance and cultural festival, not an official Turkish public holiday. Businesses and government offices remain open. However, it is widely celebrated throughout Turkey and is listed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, recognizing its cultural significance.

What are the main traditions of Hidirellez?

Hidirellez is famous for fire-jumping; leaping over a fire pit three times whilst repeating incantations is said to ward off bad illness and disease in the coming year. People also write wishes on slips of paper, tie them to rose branches, or place small handmade objects representing their desires in gardens overnight. Planting seeds or sprouts is a common Hidirellez tradition, symbolizing new beginnings, growth and fertility.

Where does Hidirellez happen in Istanbul?

Hidirellez used to be celebrated in the colorful Ahırkapı neighborhood, but due to immense growing popularity and crowding, in Istanbul in recent years Hidirellez is celebrated at Küçükçiftlik Park with a combination of modern Turkish musical outfits performing to a picnic-like gathering. Check official Istanbul tourism sources for the confirmed 2027 venue location.

Is there an admission fee?

Entrance is free. Street celebrations and neighborhood festivities are open to the public without charge. You may purchase food and drinks from vendors, but attending the festival itself costs nothing.

What should I wear to Hidirellez?

Dress comfortably and in layers, as May evenings in Istanbul can still be cool, especially near the water. Guests are invited to dress in white. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the festival involves standing and moving through crowded streets. If you plan to participate in fire-jumping or water rituals, wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty or wet.

When exactly does Hidirellez take place?

Hidirellez is typically held on 5–6 May. The celebration begins on the evening of May 5 and continues through the day of May 6. Street festivities typically start in the early evening (around 6–7 p.m.) and continue into the night. Organized venues may have specific start times; check local announcements for details.

Can I participate if I'm not Turkish or Muslim?

It's one of Turkey's oldest and most quietly magical celebrations, and you don't need to be religious – or even Turkish – to take part. Hidirellez is a participatory festival rather than a performance — you are welcome to join the dancing, write a wish, or simply watch the bonfire. The festival is inclusive and welcomes visitors of all backgrounds.

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