Istanbul’s yearly calendar offers variety of lovely festivals and events that has something for everyone. Here on our guide, you can find out and experience the most popular festivals and events in Istanbul, including what they offer, venues, festival programs and more.
Table of Contents
Spring festivals & events in Istanbul
Istanbul International Film Festival (annual, April)
2024 dates not announced yet
Istanbul’s International Film Festival is 12 days long film festival, organized by Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV). At this city’s leading film festival in Istanbul in April, you can discover and enjoy remarkable local and international films in competition, at the several culture centers and cinemas in the Beyoglu and Kadikoy districts. Other highlights include, various activities and workshops throughout the city. More information onfilm.iksv.org/en
WTA Tennis: TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Cup (annual, April)
2024 dates not announced yet
This International WTA Tennis tournament, is biggest international one that is held in Turkey. Tennis lovers may enjoy the tournament and see many stars from all over the world. The tournament takes place in Spor Toto Tennis Park in Esenkent neighborhood. More information on www.istcup.net
Istanbul Tulip Festival (annual, last 3 weeks of April)
2024 dates not announced yet
Tulips are very important for the Ottoman Empire and Turkish culture. And to celebrate both spring and this fact, this annual festival takes place at the city’s most famous parks, such as the Gulhane Park in Sirkeci, Sultanahmet Square in Sultanahmet, Yildiz Park in Besiktas, Emirgan Park in Emirgan in the European side, and Fethi Pasa Grove and Camlica Hill in Uskudar, Cubuklu Hidiv Grove in Cubuklu and Beykoz Park in Beykoz on the Asian side.
This is a free festival and visitors may enjoy billions of tulips in 120 different types that blossoms in April, as well as several culture and art activities that are organized in the Emirgan Park and Sultanahmet Square. There is also a tulip photo contest and the winners are awarded.
Summer festivals & events in Istanbul
Istanbul International Music Festival (annual, June)
2024 dates not announced yet
Istanbul’s International Music Festival is about 3 weeks long music festival, organized by IKSV. At this top music festival in Istanbul in June, you can enjoy remarkable performances of the leading international and local artists, as well as classical music performances inc. Philharmonic Orchestras, baroque music inc.
Bach, Vivaldi and Handel and many others, at the several great historical venues such as Hagia Irene Museum, Sureyya Opera House, Rahmi Koc Museum and more. More information on muzik.iksv.org/en
Chill-Out Festival Istanbul (annual, June)
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2024 dates not announced yet
Istanbul’s Chill-Out Festival is 2 days long dance, electronic and pop festival, held at Garden Fiesta, located in the Sariyer district. Chill-Out festival is Turkey’s leading music festival, you can enjoy the the refined style of Lounge FM 96 to life with its lovely ambiance, elaborate musical selection of artists focusing on different genres, stages of various concepts, joyful activities, workshops and delicious catering alternatives. TheChill-Out Festival also take place in Bodrum and Cesme. More information on www.chilloutfest.com
Istanbul International Jazz Festival (annual, July)
2024 dates not announced yet
Istanbul’s International Jazz Festivalis a3 weeks long music festival, organized by IKSV. At this top music festival in Istanbul in July, you can enjoy a showcase of the leading international jazz, soul and blues artists in the city, at the several great venues. Other highlights includenight out jazzparties,jazz boatandFREE jazz in the park concerts, offering some of the best attractions over the city.
Bosphorus Cross Continental Swim Race (annual, July)
It is an international swimming race, as well as a very fantastic and one of the unique events in the world that consists of crossing the Bosphorus from Asian side to European side by swimming, and organised by the Turkish Olympic Committee.
The event on a 6.5 km. course starts from the Kanlica coast on the Asian side, and ends at the Kurucesme coast (near Ortakoy) on the European side. Thousands of foreign and local swimmers participate the event. If you are in Istanbul on these dates, you can watch the fantastic event with various celebrations on the coasts. More information on bogazici.olimpiyatkomitesi.org.tr
Autumn festivals & events in Istanbul
Istanbul International Biennial (biennial, September-November)
2024 dates not announced yet
Istanbul’s International Biennial is about 2 months long international contemporary art biennial, organized by IKSV every two years. It is one of the best ones in the world together with the ones in Venice, Sao Paolo and Sydney. Admission to the biennial is FREE of charge. You will enjoy the most popular showcases of the contemporary art exhibition in more than 30 venues throughout the city. More information on bienal.iksv.org/en
Istanbul Coffee Festival (annual, September)
2024 dates not announced yet
Istanbul’sCoffee Festival is about 4 days long kind of a carnival, bringing coffee from all over the world to the coffee-lovers’ taste. The festival is held in the KüçükÇiftlik Park venue, located in Macka, close to Taksim. You can have a fantastic day out and taste coffee from numerous stands, as well as participate to coffee workshops, seminars, playground events and competitions. More information on coffeefestival.com
Akbank Jazz Festival (annual, October)
2024 dates not announced yet
Akbank’s (a prestigious bank in Turkey) Jazz Festivalis a10 days long music festival, organized by Akbank Sanat Art Venue. At this top music festival in Istanbul in October, as well as in Turkey, you can see some famous and fine jazz artists from all over the world in the city, at the several great venues with low prices. Other highlights include panels, workshops, movies, etc.
Being a member of the European Jazz Network, the Akbank Jazz Festival reached a very important position as its not only being an event for vis-à-vis jazz-enthusiasts, but also for enthusiasts of other genres. The Festival takes place in such attractive venues including Akbank Sanat, Hagia Iirene Museum, Babylon, Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, and Zorlu Center PSM. More information on www.akbanksanat.com/en
Istanbul International Puppet Festival (annual, October-November)
2024 dates not announced yet
Istanbul’s International Puppet Festival is a 11 days fantastic festival for art and puppet lovers, that is held every year, at the various venues located in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul, plus Naval Museum in Besiktas. You can enjoy the puppetry brought from all over the world, variety of events including puppet shows, film shows, video shows, conversations, puppet making workshops, etc. More information on www.istanbulkuklafestivali.com/en/
Istanbul International Book Fair (annual, November)
2024 dates not announced yet
Istanbul’s International Book Fair is a 8 days great fair for book lovers, that is held every year in association with the Turkish Publishers Association, at the TUYAP Fair Convention and Congress Center in the Buyukcekmece district of Istanbul, with an average of half a million visitors per day. During the fair, you can buy books from the 800 exhibitors from Turkey and abroad, and enjoy variety of events, book signings and some cultural activities. More information on www.istanbulkitapfuari.com/en/
Istanbul Marathon (annual, November)
2024 dates not announced yet
Istanbul’s Intercontinental Marathon is a unique event and also the only one in the world that is made in between two continents. Volunteers need to be registered. There is also a Fun Run starting under the Altunizade Bridge on the Asian side and finishing in between the Besiktas Stadium and the Dolmabahce Palace. More information on www.maraton.istanbul
Istanbul International Theater Festival (biennial, November-December)
2024 dates not announced yet
Istanbul’s International Theater Festival is 2 weeks long festival, organized by IKSV every two years. At this city’s leading art festival in Istanbul in November, art and theater lovers can enjoy the remarkable local and international productions and theatrical events, several side events, dance and performance events and some free workshops, at the several venues in the Beyoglu, Besiktas, Fatih, Uskudar and Kadikoy districts. More information on tiyatro.iksv.org/en
Winter festivals & events in Istanbul
Istanbul International Gastronomy Festival (annual, December)
Istanbul’s International Gastronomy Festival is 3 days long festival for gastronomy and world cuisine lovers, organized by Cooks and Chefs Federation of Turkey, at the Eyup Culture & Art Center in the Eyup district of Istanbul. It is also a joint organization with the World Association of Chef Societies (WACS).
Visitors may find and taste world’s different tastes together with Turkish cuisine. It also offers a competition by bringing new chefs in gastronomy as well as chefs from around the world and Turkey, about more than 2000 chefs from 30 countries. More information on istanbulgastronomyfestival.com/en/
New Year’s Eve 2023 (annual, 31st of December)
Like in all major cities in the world, the new year celebrations in Istanbul is also fantastic that the city becomes very lively and colorful with variety of celebrations, fireworks, parties and more. Both locals and tourists welcome the new year by participating the celebrations at the tourist zones, neighborhoods or squares, or on a memorable dinner, Bosphorus cruise or night out. Continue reading…
Christmas Celebrations
Christmas, also known as the Nativity, Holy Birth, or Feast of the Nativity, marks the celebration of the birth of Jesus in the Christian tradition. The observance takes place on December 25 in the Catholic, Protestant, and Greek Orthodox denominations (according to the Gregorian calendar), while Armenian Orthodox Churches (Apostolic and Evangelical Churches) celebrate it on January 6 (according to the Julian calendar), and other Eastern Orthodox Churches commemorate it on January 7.
The city of Istanbul holds a unique place in the history of Christmas celebrations, hosting the world’s first recorded Christmas festivities in 336 AD by the decree of Emperor Constantine. Istanbul is thus recognized as the birthplace of Christmas celebrations.
In Beyoğlu, the eve of Christmas on December 24 and Christmas Day on December 25 are joyously celebrated by Christians. Churches are visited, vows are made, and services are attended with fervor. On January 6, the festivities commemorate the birth and baptism of Jesus.
Special services take place at the Fener Greek Patriarchate, and the Cross Throwing Ceremony unfolds on the waters of the Golden Horn. Istanbul, with its rich history and diverse cultural tapestry, becomes a unique and vibrant backdrop for the joyous festivities of Christmas.
Insider Tip: On Christmas Day and evening, some travel agencies organize delightful tours along the road from Taksim to Tünel, visiting all the churches along the way. These tours offer a beautiful experience that includes a festive Christmas dinner followed by attending a Christmas mass. We highly recommend considering joining one of these tours for a memorable celebration. It’s a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit, explore the vibrant atmosphere, and partake in the rich traditions of Christmas in Istanbul.
Akbank Short Film Festival (annual, March)
Akbank’s Short Film Festivalis a10 days long film festival, organized by Akbank Sanat (Art). At this one of the leading arts and culture events in Istanbul in March. The aim of the festival is to encourage short film production, to deliver these short films to the audiences, to support new filmmakers and to champion short film internationally, by providing a debate platform and establishing a festival atmosphere for cinema-lovers for FREE.
Other highlights include various workshops, interviews, master classes and experience-sharing platform between cinema professionals and visitors. The Festival takes place at the Akbank Sanat Art Venue, in the Beyoglu district. More information on www.akbanksanat.com/en
