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.
- 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
2025
May 1: Labor Day (closures)
May 19: Atatürk Commemoration and Youth Day (sports events, closures)
May 22–25 (iffy): Cappadox, Cappadocia (music and cultural festival)
May 29: Orthodox Ascension
June 11–26: Istanbul Music Festival
July 1–17: Istanbul Jazz Festival
June 6–9: Sacrifice Feast Days (Kurban Bayramı; closures)
July 15: Democracy and National Unity Day (closures)
August 30: Victory Day (closures)
September 12–29 (likely): Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival, Ankara
October 28–29: Republic Day Eve and Republic Day (closures)
November 2: Istanbul Marathon
December 6–16 (likely): Mevlana Festival, Konya (celebrations of Whirling Dervishes)
December 7–20 (likely): International Antalya Piano Festival
December 31: New Year's Eve (fireworks, etc., especially in Istanbul)
2026
January 1: New Year's Day (Yılbaşı; closures)
February 17–March 19: Ramadan (Muslim holy month)
March 20–22: Ramadan Feast Days (Ramazan/Seker Bayramı, closures)
April 10–21 (likely): Istanbul Film Festival
April 12: Easter Sunday (Orthodox)
April 23: National Sovereignty and Children's Day (closures)
May 1: Labor Day (closures)
May 19: Atatürk Commemoration and Youth Day (sports events, closures)