Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in Turkey
- Before planning a trip around a festival, verify the festival dates on the festival's website or with a local tourist information office. For more information about these and other events, check the official site of Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
- This list includes major festivals in Istanbul, plus national holidays observed throughout Turkey. Many sights and banks close down on national holidays — keep it in mind when planning your itinerary. Note that this isn't a complete list; holidays can strike without warning.
- See upcoming holidays and festivals across Europe
2018
Apri 6–17: Istanbul Film Festival
April 23: National Sovereignty and Children's Day (closures)
May 1: Labor Day (closures)
May 15–June 14: Ramadan (Muslim holy month)
May 17: Orthodox Ascension
May 19: Atatürk Commemoration and Youth Day (sports events, closures)
June (all month): Istanbul Music Festival
June 14–17: Ramadan Feast Days (Ramazan/Seker Bayramı, closures)
June 14–19: Cappadox, Cappadocia (music and cultural festival)
July (3 weeks): Istanbul Jazz Festival
July 15: Democracy and National Unity Day (closures)
August 20–24: Sacrifice Feast Days (Kurban Bayramı; closures)
August 30: Victory Day (closures)
October 28–29: Republic Day Eve and Republic Day (closures)
December 31: New Year's Eve (fireworks, etc.)
2019
January 1: New Year's Day (Yılbaşı; closures)
Mid-February (10 days): Istanbul Independent Film Festival
April 21: Easter Sunday (Western)
April 28: Easter Sunday (Orthodox)