January
Ayder Snow Festival
Ayder Snow Festival, which started in Rize in 2007, offers a great snow festival with competitions, concerts and DJ performances. If you’re confident of making snowmans, you can enter the festival’s favorite snowman competition.
Bocuk Night
Bocuk Night is a traditional entertainment in Keşan, Edirne. It has a lot in common with Halloween, young people dress up in white sheets, paint their faces with a scary and fun makeover and try to scare the hosts by going door to door.
Winterfest
Winterfest, which takes place in Uludag, Bursa’s winter holiday paradise in January-February, brings music and entertainment together with winter holidays. The festival, which lasts about 10 days with concerts by famous singers, is one of the most popular events of the winter months.
February
Datça Almond Blossom Festival
February, when almonds are in blossom, is one of the best times in Datça. Visitors of the Datça Almond Blossom Festival enjoy almond-made delicacies on the one hand and perform concerts, workshops, concerts and walks.
Çeşme Local Seed Swap Festival
Çeşme Local Seed Swap Festival, took place in 2020 for the first time, aims to increase the protection of local seeds and the applicability of natural agricultural methods. The festival, which takes place with interviews and workshops, is perfect for those looking for an alternative option against industrial agriculture.
Istanbul Poetry and Literature Festival
Within the scope of the International İstanbul Poetry and Literature Festival, which is considered the most established literary festival in Türkiye, a wide range of seminars and performances are held in famous art centers in İstanbul.
March
Sarikamis Winter Games Festival
The Sarıkamış Winter Games Festival usually begins on 1 March in Kars. Enjoy both traditional and modern activities at a winter festival that brings together professional and amateur athletes.
Sonar Istanbul
Taking place at the Zorlu Performance Arts Centre, Sonar İstanbul hosts world-renowned DJs at a festival of electronic music.
Akbank Short Film Festival
Traditionally held in March, the Akbank Short Film Festival, the most important short film festival of Türkiye, offers a unique experience for moviegoers and cinema buffs.
April
IKSV Film Festival
At the IKSV Film Festival, İstanbul’s most important art event in April, national and international competitions, thematic screenings and retrospectives take place. The festival, which attracts attention with its extensive programs, takes place simultaneously in many different cinemas.
Alaçatı Herbs Festival
Held in İzmir in April, the Alaçatı Herb Festival consistently showcases the region’s fabulously unique flavours. You can add this festival to your list to be a part of this delicious experience.
International Orange Blossom Carnival
What about attending a great festival in Adana before it gets too hot? Celebrate the International Orange Blossom Carnival and enjoy the festivities amid the fragrant aroma of citrus trees in April.
May
Cappadocia Film Festival
Planned to make its debut in May, 2020 but postponed due to pandemic, the Cappadocia Film Festival is planned to be organized in Nevşehir as a ground-breaking festival in one of Türkiye’s most scenic regions.
Karşıyaka Flower Festival
Join the Karşıyaka Flower Festival to experience the most beautiful colours and scents of the spring. The festival is scheduled to take place in May in İzmir.
Istanbul Tea Festival
The İstanbul Tea Festival -where you can find any and everything related to tea–highlights different kinds of tea, brewing methods, speakers, tastings and more!
June
Datça Theatre Festival
Meeting theatre lovers under the slogan “Theatre at Sea Level’’, the Datça Theatre Festival offers a unique experience with an innovative perspective where shows, workshops, games and art meet with the mesmerising world of Datça.
Tekirdağ Cherry Festival
Scheduled to take place generally in the first week of June, the Tekirdağ Cherry Festival brings together fruit, fun and music and is a great opportunity to enjoy to the fullest while tasting Tekirdağ cherries.
Cappadox
Cappadox, an innovative festival that features music, contemporary art, gastronomy and outdoor events amid the bewitching atmosphere of Cappadocia brings artlovers together in Nevşehir.
July
Bozcaada Jazz Festival
How about some jazz with captivating views of the bays of Bozcaada? If it excites you, you are invited to Bozcaada, Çanakkale.
One Love Festival
Welcoming fans last year again after a long break, the One Love Festival features alternative performers from a range of musical disciplines. This unique experience scheduled to take place in the middle of July, offers the experience to listen to many singers from different music disciplines.
Olympos Sky and Science Festival
Türkiye’s largest astronomy event takes place in Olympos-Antalya. Sky lovers attend this major astronomy event set in picturesque, peaceful Olympos.
August
Zeytinli Rock Festival
The largest rock music festival in Türkiye, the Zeytinli Rock Festival, takes place in the last week of August every year, again at Balıkesir Zeytinli!
International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival
Are you ready to be a part of an unforgettable artistic experience set in the enchanting ancient theatre of Aspendos? The festival starts in the last week of August in Antalya!
Kaçkarfest
Held in a scenic campsite right in the heart of Rize’s Fırtına Valley, Kaçkarfest offers a unique experience with nature walks, outdoor sports events and yoga – all in touch with nature.
September
IF Istanbul Film Festival
One of the major film festivals of Türkiye, the IF İstanbul Film Festival offers a unique alternative for cinema lovers. IF İstanbul, expected to once again distinguish itself with special selections, independent films and interviews, takes place in September.
Outdoor Fest
Promising a wonderful experience amid sea and forest, the Outdoor Fest brings the joy of camping amid nature together with workshops, interviews, activities and fun.
Istanbul Coffee Festival
Everything about coffee is found at the İstanbul Coffee Festival! A unique coffee experience filled with concerts, workshops, interviews and tastings awaits you.
October
Antalya Film Festival
One of the most important cinematic events in Türkiye, the Antalya Film Festival was launched in 1964 and continues to maintain its trendsetting reputation. It is a unique experience to visit Antalya at the time of the festival.
Van Theatre Festival
Taking place in Van, the Pearl of the East, the Van Theatre Festival is a unique event that offers attendees an opportunity to see both great plays and the historic city of Van.
Akbank Jazz Festival
Welcoming jazz lovers every year since 1991, the Akbank Jazz Festival continues to bring together world-renowned jazz musicians in Türkiye. The festival, which features interviews, workshops and panels, as well as concerts, takes place in October.
November
Izmir Tile (Çini) Festival
Kütahya Tile Art welcomes art-lovers to İzmir, designated by UNESCO as a Creative City in the field of Craft and Folk Arts. If you fancy traditional arts, you must attend the İzmir Tile Festival, where ceramic, porcelain, illuminated manuscripts, calligraphy, marbling, jewellery, needle pointing, weaving and diamond point-engravings are showcased
Istanbul Theatre Festival
Organized by IKSV, the İstanbul Theatre Festival offers a comprehensive experience featuring panels, interviews, workshops and, of course, plays! The Festival is highly popular, so it is advisable to buy your tickets in advance.
Istanbul Puppet Festival
Combining the best examples of traditional shadow puppet plays and unique examples of world puppet theatre, the İstanbul Puppet Festival is a unique way to experience an interesting and alternative art form.
December
Şeb-i Arus
To mark the anniversary of Rumi’s death, Seb-i Arus hosts tens of events, including whirling dervishes, panels, exhibitions and conferences. If you are interested in mysticism and traditional arts, visit Konya for this one-of-a-kind experience.
Icebreak Palandöken
Skiing, fun, concerts, dance… Taking place in Erzurum Palandoken, the Icebreak Festival exceeds all winter holiday expectations. Don’t miss this festival for a magnificent December holiday in Palandoken!
International Izmir Theatre Festival
The İzmir Theatre Festival offers a 10-day extravaganza of theatre, with plays centred on a different theme each year.
