FESTIVALS - FAIRS - EVENTS
More than 100 festivals are organized in Turkey every year. Along with the local festivals
organized in almost every city of the country, international culture and art festivals are
also held in major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya. Istanbul is the
most important center of international culture and art festivals.
Principal Turkish International Culture and Art Festivals and other important events are
as follows;
January
Camel Wrestling Festival Izmir-Seljuk, January 21
Organized by; Seljuk-Efes Culture and Tourism Foundation
March
1915 Sea Victory Celebration Canakkale, March 13-18
Organized by; Canakkale Office of Governor
International Ankara Film Festival Ankara, March 23 - April 1
Organized by; World Mass Communication Foundation
April
Traditional Mesir (Taffy) Celebrations Manisa, April
Organized by; Manisa Municipality
International Istanbul Film Festival Istanbul, April 14-29
Organized by; Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation
International Ankara Music Festival Ankara, April 2- 30
Organized by; Cankaya Municipality and Sevda Cenap And Music Foundation
International Bergama Fair Izmir- Bergama, April 4-10
Organized by; Bergama Government Office and Bergama Municipality
May
Yunus Emre Culture and Art Week Eskisehir, May 6-10
Organized by; Eskisehir Office of Governor and Yunus Emre Culture, Tourism and Art
Foundation.
Flying Broom International Women's Film Festival Festival Ankara,
May 3-10
Flying Broom Organization
Marmaris Yacht Festival Marmaris, May 2 nd Week
Organized by; Marmaris Yacht Festival Committee
International Istanbul Theater Festival Istanbul May 18- June1
Organized by; Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation
Rafting Triathlon Antalya-Alanya May 12
Organized by; Alanya Municipality
June
International Seljuk-Efes Culture, Art and Tourism Festival
Izmir-Seljuk, June 15-30
Organized by; Seljuk Municipality and Seljuk Efes Culture and Tourism Foundation
International Bosphorus Festival Istanbul, June 15-30
Organized by; Istanbul Municipality
Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall
International Kus Cenneti (Bird Paradise) Culture and Tourism Festival
Balikesir- Bandirma, June 1st Week
Organized by; Bandirma Municipality
Nasreddin Hoca Festival
Eskisehir - Sivrihisar, June 1 st Week
Organized by; Sivrihisar Government Office and Sivrihisar Municipality
International
Kahta Kommagene Festival
Adiyaman-Kahta June 25-27
Organized by; Kahta Tourism Information Office
June - July
International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival
Antalya-Serik, June10-July10
Organized by; General Directorate of Turkish State Opera and Ballet
International Istanbul Music Festival
Istanbul June 8- July 3
Organized by; Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation
Traditional Kirkpinar Oil- Wrestling
Edirne, June-July
Organized by; Edirne Office of Governor and Edirne Municipality
International Izmir Festival
Izmir, June 28- July 27
Organized by; Izmir Culture, Art and Education Foundation
July
Nasreddin Hoca Festival
Konya - Aksehir, July 5-10
Organized by; Aksehir Nasreddin Hoca Tourism Association.
International Istanbul Jazz Festival
Istanbul, July 6-21
Organized by; Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation
International Swimming Competition
Istanbul (across the Bosphorus), July 15
Organized by; National Olympic Committee Of Turkey
August
Mengen Chefs' and Tourism Festival Bolu-Mengen, August 1st Week
Organized by; Mengen Municipality
Troy Festival Canakkale, August 10-18
Organized by; Canakkale Municipality
Hacibektas Veli Commemoration Ceremonies
Nevsehir-Hacibektas, August 16-18
Organized by; Hacibektas Municipality
August - September
International Folklore Festival
Bursa- Orhangazi, August-September
Organized by ;Orhangazi Municipality
Izmir International Fair
Izmir, August26-September10
Organized by; Izmir Fair Organization
September
Avanos International Tourism and Handicrafts Festival
Nevsehir-Avanos, September 7-9
Organized by; Avanos Municipality
International Ataturk Dam Water Sports Feast
Sanliurfa- Bozova, September 22-23
Organized by; GAP Regional Development Organization
"Altin Safran" Documentary Film Festival
Karabuk-Safranbolu, September 20-23
Organized by; Safranbolu Government Office
International
Istanbul Biennial
Istanbul, September 21- November 17
Organized by; Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation
International Pamukkale Music and Culture Festival
Denizli, September
Organized by; Denizli Office of Governor
October
Antalya Altin Portakal Film Festival
Antalya, October 1-5
Organized by; Antalya Altin Portakal Culture and Art Foundation
International Bodrum Cup and Gulet Competition
Bodrum, October
Organized by; Bodrum Era Yatch Club
International Wine Competition
Nevsehir- Urgup, October 11-14
Organized by; Federation of International Wine Competitions and Tekel Genel Mudurlugu
November
Marmaris Yacht Races
Mugla-Marmaris, November First Week
Organized by; Marmaris International Yacht Club
International CRR Mystic Music Festival
Istanbul, November
Organized by; Istanbul Municipality Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall
December
International CRR Piano Festival
Istanbul, December
Organized by; Istanbul Municipality Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall
St. Nicholas Symposium
Antalya-Kale (Demre), December 5-7
Organized by; Kale Municipality
Mevlana (Whirling Dervishes) Commemoration Ceremonies
Konya, December 10-17
Organized by; Konya Office of Governor and Konya Cultural Directorate
