What is the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival?
The Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival stages opera and ballet in the Roman theatre at Aspendos, which is still used for performances nearly 2,000 years after it was built. The Turkish State Opera and Ballet's companies perform, and the festival has run every year since 1994.
The theatre:
- Built in the 2nd century AD by the architect Zenon, son of Theodoros, under Marcus Aurelius
- Often called the best-preserved Roman theatre in the Mediterranean, with its stage building largely intact
- Acoustics that work without heavy amplification
- Seating for roughly 7,300 to 7,600 by recent study, at about 45 cm per person; older sources give 12,000 or 20,000
When is the Aspendos Festival 2026?
The 33rd edition runs from 12 to 26 September 2026, opening with Verdi's Attila on 12 September. Performances are in the evening.
Where is the Aspendos theatre?
Aspendos Ancient Theatre is near Serik in Antalya province, about 45 minutes east of Antalya city and its airport.
How to get to Aspendos from Antalya
By car or taxi
Aspendos is about 45 minutes by road from Antalya city and airport. A car, a taxi or transport arranged through your hotel are the realistic options. There is no useful public transport for an evening performance.
A return car or taxi from Antalya can cost more than the ticket.
How much are Aspendos Festival tickets?
Tickets are sold per performance, not as a festival pass, through the Turkish State Opera and Ballet's own booking channels. Prices are set per production and seating block. As a state company, its prices sit well below comparable international opera festivals.
What to bring to the Aspendos Festival
- A cushion: the seats are ancient stone.
- A warm layer: September evenings inland from the Antalya coast cool sharply after sunset.
The stone tiers, a long evening and a late rural drive make it a poor fit for anyone with limited mobility or for young children.
