Saucy Radar
The big events in Turkey worth knowing about
Festivals, races and major cultural events happening around Turkey. Saucy does not run these and there is nothing for sale here. This is the practical detail, getting there, what it costs, who it is actually for, that a ticket listing leaves out.
12-26 September 2026
Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival
Aspendos Ancient Theatre, Serik, Antalya
The 33rd Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival fills the Roman theatre near Antalya from 12 to 26 September 2026, opening with Verdi's Attila. The State Opera sells per-performance tickets.
19-20 September 2026, its second edition of the year
Istanbul Cocktail Festival
LifePark, Sariyer, Istanbul
The Istanbul Cocktail Festival returns to LifePark, Sariyer, on 19 and 20 September 2026, its second edition this year after June. Tickets cover the live programme; drinks cost extra inside.
20-21 September and 5-6 November 2026
Edis, Harbiye Acikhava concerts
Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Acikhava Tiyatrosu, Istanbul
Edis plays Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Acikhava Tiyatrosu on 20 and 21 September and 5 and 6 November 2026. The Sisli open-air amphitheatre seats about 4,532, ticketed per night.
29 September 2026
Buray, Istanbul concert
Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Acikhava Tiyatrosu, Istanbul
Buray plays Istanbul once on this run: 29 September 2026 at Harbiye Acikhava, a seated open-air amphitheatre in Sisli (about 4,532).
17 October and 7 November 2026
Sebnem Ferah, Istanbul concerts
Kucukciftlik Park (17 Oct); Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Acikhava Tiyatrosu (7 Nov), Istanbul
Sebnem Ferah plays two Istanbul dates in 2026: standing Kucukciftlik Park (up to about 17,000) on 17 October, and the seated open-air Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Acikhava Tiyatrosu (about 4,532) on 7 November.
7-17 December 2026
Seb-i Arus (Mevlana Commemoration Ceremonies)
Konya, multiple ceremonial venues including the Mevlana Culture Center, Konya
Seb-i Arus runs 7 to 17 December 2026 in Konya, marking 753 years since Rumi's death around the whirling dervish Sema. Main ceremonies are ticketed, the rest mostly free; the ritual has been UNESCO-listed since 2008.
15-18 December 2026, its 34th edition
WorldFood Istanbul
Istanbul Fuar Merkezi (IFM), Istanbul
WorldFood Istanbul is a food and drink trade fair, not a festival: its 34th edition runs 15 to 18 December 2026 at Istanbul Fuar Merkezi, by trade registration only.
2027 season, exact race date not yet announced
Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix
Istanbul Park, Istanbul
Formula 1 returns to Istanbul Park in 2027 on a deal through 2031. No race date, ticket price or on-sale date exists yet, so any quoted price is a guess.
Held 20-23 August 2026 in Golcuk; next edition's dates not yet announced
TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan
Golcuk Naval Shipyard Command, Kocaeli
TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan ran 20 to 23 August 2026 at Golcuk Naval Shipyard, Kocaeli, drawing 343,000 visitors by the organisers' count. Entry is free; next dates are unannounced.
Early November, annually
Vodafone Istanbul Marathon
Course crosses two continents, starting near Istanbul's Asian side and finishing in the historic peninsula, Istanbul
The Vodafone Istanbul Marathon is the only marathon crossing two continents, running over the Bosphorus from Asia into Europe to the historic peninsula. It runs one Sunday in early November with about 30,000 to 40,000 participants in three categories.
Held 1-5 April 2026; runs every spring
Adana International Orange Blossom Carnival
Adana city centre, Adana
Billed as Turkey's first street carnival, the Adana International Orange Blossom Carnival held its 14th edition 1 to 5 April 2026 in central Adana. The parade and street events are free and daytime.
Held 30 June to 13 July 2026; runs every summer
Istanbul Jazz Festival
Multiple venues across Istanbul, Istanbul
The 33rd Istanbul Jazz Festival ran 30 June to 13 July 2026: nearly 30 concerts, ten-plus venues, around 200 artists. IKSV organises it each summer, ticketed per concert.
Held 9-19 April 2026; runs every spring
Istanbul Film Festival
Cinemas across Istanbul, Istanbul
The 45th Istanbul Film Festival ran 9 to 19 April 2026, screening 127 films across the city. IKSV organises it each spring, ticketed per screening.
Held 4 June to 8 July 2026; runs every summer
International Izmir Festival
Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center, Izmir Historic Agora, Ephesus Celsus Library, Cesme Castle, Izmir
The 39th International Izmir Festival ran 4 June to 8 July 2026 at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center, the Agora, Ephesus's Celsus Library and Cesme Castle. IKSEV organises it, ticketed per concert.
Held 1-16 August 2026 at Festival Park Yenikapi; runs every summer
Istanbul Festivali (Yenikapi)
Festival Park Yenikapi, Istanbul
Istanbul Festivali ran 1 to 16 August 2026 at Festival Park Yenikapi, a 120,000 square metre waterfront site for about 75,000 people a day. The city runs it, ticketed per day and artist.