Events in Turkey

What festivals or events take place in Turkey?

Check our list of annual events and festivals in Turkey, including the Istanbul Tulip Festival or the Izmir International Fair.

• List of events in Istanbul
• International World Fair in Izmir

Other events around Turkey includes

• Cappadox Festival (May)
  Based in one of the most iconic Turkish destinations, Cappadocia, Cappadox has been Turkey's newest and coolest festival since 2015. This festival has a unique theme every year, and it’s an ultimate summer party intertwined with music, contemporary art, gastronomy, and outdoor activities.

• Ahirkapi Hidirellez Festival (May)
  Hidirellez is the representation of every new spring in Turkey. This festival celebrates the arrival of spring and brings good fortune to the people who celebrate and is held annually on the 6th of May. There are a lot of interesting traditions during the celebration. Normally the locals jump over the fire on the eve of Hidirellez, which is believed to get away from sickness and bring more good luck. People also enjoy dancing and singing traditional folk music.

• Oil Wrestling Festival (June)
  Krikpinar is a traditional Turkish fight that has a 600-year history and takes place in Edirne, Turkey. The ceremony is open to men from all cultures, regions, and ages. All participants will be smeared with olive oil, and the fight is about two men competing against each other, hand-to-hand. This event has been inscribed on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2010.

• Trojan Festival (August)
  If you are interested in the story of Troy, you can not miss this event. Trojan Festival is the most popular regional festival in Turkey, and it is celebrated every August in Canakkale, where you can see the ruins of that history. During the celebration, people can enjoy folklore retelling, re-enactments, music, and dances.

• Mevlana Whirling Dervishes Festival (November/December - Based on Islamic religious calendar)
  It’s the best place and time to learn about traditional dervishes' culture. Konya is famous for the Seljuk Dervishes, and it’s also the place where the master of the dancing art, Mevlana Rumi Jelaleddin, was buried. During this celebration, several events, including music, dance, and spiritual events, are held in Konya to commemorate him.