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
2026
May 16–20: Marmaris International Folk Dance Festival
May 19: Atatürk Commemoration and Youth Day (sports events, closures)
May 21: Orthodox Ascension
May 27–30: Sacrifice Feast Days (Kurban Bayramı; closures)
June 11–26: Istanbul Music Festival
June 15–28: Bodrum International Jazz Festival
June 29–July 5: Kırkpınar oil-wrestling festival (Edirne, near the Bulgarian border)
June 30–July 13: Istanbul Jazz Festival
July 15: Democracy and National Unity Day (closures)
July 15–September 8 (likely): International Gümüşlük Music Festival (concert series, near Bodrum)
August 30: Victory Day (closures)
September 12–28: Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival, Ankara
October 28–29: Republic Day Eve and Republic Day (closures)
November 1: Istanbul Marathon
November 26–December 12 (likely): International Antalya Piano Festival
December 7–17 (likely): Mevlana Festival, Konya (celebrations of Whirling Dervishes)
December 31: New Year's Eve (fireworks, etc., especially in Istanbul)
2027
January 1: New Year's Day (Yılbaşı; closures)
February 8–March 12 (likely): Ramadan (Muslim holy month)
March 10–12 (likely): Ramadan Feast Days (Ramazan/Seker Bayramı, closures)
March 20–21: Nevruz (Persian New Year; traditional celebrations of spring in Anatolia)
Throughout April: Istanbul Tulip Festival
April 8–18 (likely): Istanbul Film Festival
April 23: National Sovereignty and Children's Day (closures)
May 1: Labor Day (closures))
May 2: Easter Sunday (Orthodox)
May 5–6: Hidirellez (folk festivities celebrating spring; particularly big in Istanbul and Edirne)