What is the International Izmir Festival?
The International Izmir Festival is an annual summer festival organised by IKSEV, the Izmir Foundation for Culture, Arts and Education. The programme is mainly classical and orchestral, with jazz and world music.
When is the International Izmir Festival?
Every summer. The 39th edition ran from 4 June to 8 July 2026, over more than a month.
Where are International Izmir Festival concerts held?
- Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center, a modern concert hall in central Izmir
- Izmir Historic Agora, the city's Roman-era agora
- Cesme Castle, on the coast
- Celsus Library at Ephesus, near Selcuk
Concerts at the Celsus Library take place at night, with the site otherwise closed. They sell earliest and cost the most.
How to get to the Ephesus and Cesme concerts
Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center
In central Izmir, and easy to reach on city transport.
Ephesus
- Take the regional train from Izmir to Selcuk, next to Ephesus.
- Confirm the last train back before the concert.
A car or organised transport is the realistic option for evening performances.
Cesme
By car or organised transport, particularly for evening performances.
How much are International Izmir Festival tickets?
Tickets are sold per concert through IKSEV, priced by performance and venue. Some events are free. Historic-site concerts, especially Ephesus, cost the most, and Art Center concerts are the most affordable.
Without a car, budget for transport to the outlying venues as well as the ticket.
