Istanbul Travel Guide - Festivals & Events
January Festivals
New Year’s Day: the first day of the year is an official national holiday in the whole country, which works out well for the millions in Istanbul who have stayed up late into the night before, partying. This is a special time to be in the city, with plenty of celebration.
New Year’s Day: the first day of the year is an official national holiday in the whole country, which works out well for the millions in Istanbul who have stayed up late into the night before, partying. This is a special time to be in the city, with plenty of celebration.
May Festivals
Commemoration of Ataturk: this public holiday in May marks the beginning of Turkey’s independence after the turmoil that followed the end of WWI. The holiday is dedicated to children and is also a sports day, so expect plenty of footballs to be kicked around in Istanbul.
Commemoration of Ataturk: this public holiday in May marks the beginning of Turkey’s independence after the turmoil that followed the end of WWI. The holiday is dedicated to children and is also a sports day, so expect plenty of footballs to be kicked around in Istanbul.
August Festivals
Turkish F1 Grand Prix: one of the newly added races to the F1 calendar, Istanbul’s Grand Prix is already hugely popular and one of the city’s premiere annual sporting events that usually takes place in August. It is held at Istanbul Park 90kms outside the city centre.
Turkish F1 Grand Prix: one of the newly added races to the F1 calendar, Istanbul’s Grand Prix is already hugely popular and one of the city’s premiere annual sporting events that usually takes place in August. It is held at Istanbul Park 90kms outside the city centre.
Victory Day: another patriotic holiday in a similar vein to Ataturk Day, this holiday commemorates the final battle in the Turkish War of Independence in 1922. Held in late August, this is a big deal in Istanbul that sees the armed forces out on parade.
October Festivals
Republic Day: the whole of Istanbul takes a day and a half off for this important holiday at the end of October, a time for family mainly. There are banners on show and plenty of parties in the city.
Republic Day: the whole of Istanbul takes a day and a half off for this important holiday at the end of October, a time for family mainly. There are banners on show and plenty of parties in the city.
No Fixed Date
Ramadan Feast: this hugely significant holiday moves according to the Islamic lunar calendar. Held over 3 days, the festival sees the Islamic contingent of Istanbul dressed to the nines for regular visits to mosques, and large feasts that often spill into the street.
Ramadan Feast: this hugely significant holiday moves according to the Islamic lunar calendar. Held over 3 days, the festival sees the Islamic contingent of Istanbul dressed to the nines for regular visits to mosques, and large feasts that often spill into the street.