Events
Istanbul Film Festival
April
Film buffs flock to Istanbul cinemas for exclusive screenings of recent Turkish films as well as the newest worldwide cinematic offerings.
Istanbul Tulip Festival
April-May
Istanbul is at its most photogenic when the approximate nine million tulip bulbs, planted across the city, begin to bloom heralding spring's arrival. Get your camera out and start clicking; even the roundabouts are a kaleidoscope of colour during these two months.
Istanbul Music Festival
June
Istanbul's most famous festival hosts a mammoth program of classical music and opera concerts featuring local musicians as well as international stars. Performances are held at various venues throughout the city.
Istanbul Jazz Festival
July
From classical jazz performances by some of the genre's most renowned names, to new artists experimenting in electronica, and well-known world music musicians, the Istanbul Jazz Festival hosts a series of concerts which showcase the wealth of talent and ingenuity that jazz has to offer.
Akbank Jazz Festival
September-October
Smaller than the Istanbul Jazz Festival, but pulling in an impressive line-up of artists nonetheless, this festival highlights the best of new jazz.