Looking for the coolest and best music festivals in Turkey in 2024? Well, you’ve come to the right place, as we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to Turkey Festivals that are guaranteed to impress.
Turkey is hands-down the best traveling destination, widely known for its intertwinings of different cultural influences, ancient historical sites, Turkish delights, intricately designed carpets, and the like. Some of the most breathtaking scenery can be witnessed in this glorious country where mountains meet beaches, and historic ruins are everywhere.
Rich with culture, hospitality, history, and fantastic food, attending a music festival in Turkey grants an opportunity to explore all the country has to offer.
Also, be sure to read my guides on Beach Resorts in Turkey & Airbnbs in Istanbul for more trip-planning inspiration!
1) Echoes of Agartha
When: July, 2024
Where: Cappadocia, Turkey
https://echoesfromagartha.com/
https://www.facebook.com/echoesfromagartha
“Echoes from Agartha is a 5-days odyssey to Cappadocia, the heart of Anatolia an area also known as “Cradle of Civilization” for the number of innovations that arose from the early societies in this region, which are among some of the earliest known human civilizations on earth.
We welcome our community to one of the most breathtaking locations in the world to be part of an unparalleled adventure. A gathering designed to elevate your frequencies offering the best in music, history, Turkish cuisine and workshops in the naturally and historically rich Turkey. We are excited to showcase the unique features of the ancient land of Cappadocia and it’s culture as it is the center of our experience.
A selection of exciting artists will perform against the stunning backdrop of Cappadocia, while additional excursions include hot air balloon rides, ATV tours, Sufi teachings, Turkish rug and ceramic making, a visit to the underground city, plus historical and cultural tours of the storied region.”
While tickets are extremely hard to come by, this is one of the ultimate festivals in Turkey that electronic music lovers will love!
2) Istanbul International Music Festival
Credit: Salih Ustundag
When: June-July, 2024
Where: Istanbul, Turkey
https://www.facebook.com/istanbulmuzikfestivali
An ongoing festival since 1973, the Istanbul International Music Festival regularly commits to enriching its local community through its foundation. The organization, Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, hosts numerous events throughout the year dedicated to film, theatre, music, and the like to further inspire the cultural and artistic expression of the local area.
More than 60 orchestras, artists, and ensembles come together in one of the most magnificent music festivals in Turkey, the Istanbul International Music Festival. The festival is dedicated to bringing a lineup of national and internationally-acclaimed performers in one exciting renowned musical event.
3) Ankara International Music Festival
Credit: Ankara International Music Festival
When: April, 2024
Where: Ankara, Turkey
https://www.efa-aef.eu/en/members/388/
https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanFestivalsAssociation/
The Ankara International Music Festival is one of the most magical music festivals in Turkey. The long-running tradition of the event is that it opens and closes the festival with lively concerts by a symphonic orchestra that expertly knows how to start and end a world-altering event perfectly!
Another festival commitment is to adhere to the Ankara International Music Festival to reflect Ankara’s musical capabilities. The festival hosts young talent throughout its programming to inspire opportunity in the next generations as they move forward in the world to show off their musical talents and masteries.
4) International Izmir Festival
Credit: International Izmir Festival
When: June-July, 2024
Where: Izmir, Turkey
http://www.iksev.org/en/izmir-festivali
https://www.facebook.com/iksevetkinlikler
For nearly half a century, the International Izmir Festival has continued to stun its audiences with its performances by new and world-renowned musical talent.
The high standards of the International Izmir Festival make it one of the most famous music festivals in Turkey. Its hosting location changed from one historical venue to another in the ancient city of Izmir, an 8,000-year-old town renowned as the home of the legendary philosopher Heraclitus and poet Homer.
Throughout the International Izmir Festival, many artists’ works are featured, including opera, ballet, theatre, and contemporary, classical, and traditional music. Locals and tourists travel to this renowned music festival for magnificent artistic and musical forte displays in a uniquely historic setting.
5) Magic Break Festival
Credit: Magic Break Festival Turkey
When: April, 2024 (TBC)
Where: Istanbul, Turkey
https://www.magicbreaktr.com/?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/magicbreaktr/
More than thirty internationally renowned DJs display their skills in various genres, including afro, indie, techno, and house, on four stages. As one of the best electronic music festivals in Turkey, the Magic Break Festival guarantees attendees a stellar festival experience with opportunities to participate in sporting events, dance performances, and other fun competitions!
6) Istanbul Jazz Festival
Image: Hurriyet News
When: July, 2024
Where: Istanbul, Turkey
https://www.facebook.com/istanbulcazfestivali/
Hosted every July as one of the top summer music festivals in Turkey, the Istanbul Jazz Festival attracts thousands of people to Istanbul each year!
Though the festival’s foundation was initially established around jazz, the Istanbul Jazz Festival has since expanded its musical reach to other genres of music, including pop and rock. There continues to be a primary focus on the uniquity of jazz, the festival being a monumental event that brings together jazz artists and lovers of the genre. Attendees can experience the innovativeness of jazz in 30-40 concerts held at different historical venues in the ancient city of Istanbul.
7) Gümüşlük International Music Festival
When: July-August, 2024
Where: Gümüşlük, Turkey
https://www.gumuslukfestival.org/en/
https://www.facebook.com/gumuslukfest
The Gümüşlük International Music Festival is an internationally renowned event held on Turkey’s southwestern coast in the scenic village of Gümüşlük.
The beginning of the festival started as a series of concerts hosted in a historic 250-year-old church. Now, the Gümüşlük International Music Festival has been relocated to the breathtaking Ancient Stone Quarry in Koyunbaba, along with other sites scattered along the Bodrum peninsula.
The acclaimed Gümüşlük International Music Festival draws new and established musicians to the inviting hub that welcomes innovation and interaction. Attendees can savor personable and creative musical interactions in a breathtaking setting for an unrivaled festival experience!
8) İzmir European Jazz Festival
When: March, 2024
Where: Izmir, Turkey
http://www.iksev.org/en/caz-festivali
Every year, the Izmir Foundation for Culture Arts and Education hosts two famous festivals: the İzmir European Jazz Festival and the International Izmir Festival.
Through the hosting of the İzmir European Jazz Festival, the foundation aims to gather lovers and masters of jazz into one fanatic meeting place. Performers travel worldwide, from Poland to Austria and Italy to Switzerland, to showcase their electric works of sizzling experimentation in the ultimate example of European jazz.
The festival presents a unique collaboration between different jazz masters as they display the happenings and evolution of the genre today.
9) Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival
Credit: Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival
When: September, 2024
Where: Aspendos, Turkey
https://www.efa-aef.eu/en/members/389/
https://www.facebook.com/aspendosfestival
The only opera and ballet festival in the country, the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival has firmly established itself as one of the best music festivals in Turkey.
The festival started in 1994 and, four short years later, in 1998, became internationally known, acquiring its prominent status as a member of the European Festivals Association in 2003 alongside other world-famous festivals. The Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival unite in the ancient 2000-year-old Aspendos Ancient Theatre. The true beauty of Aspendos is displayed here as the theatre’s outstanding acoustics display the raw power of opera and ballet in a breathtaking setting.
10) Chill Out Festival
When: Various dates throughout 2024
Where: Various locations across Turkey
https://www.facebook.com/chilloutfest/
“For those seeking a laid-back and eclectic festival experience, the Chill-Out Festival offers the perfect ambiance. With its focus on electronic, ambient, and downtempo music, this festival invites attendees to relax, unwind, and immerse themselves in soothing sounds. The Chill-Out Festival takes place in various cities across Turkey, creating a tranquil oasis where attendees can enjoy live performances, DJ sets, and wellness activities.”
11) Neon International Psychedelic Music & Art Festival
When: June, 2024
Where: Bursa, Turkey
https://www.facebook.com/Neon.Festival.Official/
The biennial Neon International Psychedelic Music & Art Festival is a transformational festival. It incorporates recycled products in nearly every avenue of its art pieces, stage, and functioning for the event.
One of the most unique music festivals in Turkey, the Neon Music Festival’s music focuses on international psychedelic music acts. Genres welcomed to the stage range from forest, dark psy, ambient, Goa trance, reggae, and so on for a world-tilting festival that will leave life-long memories for all who attend!
Am I missing any epic festivals in Turkey?
Turkey’s festival scene has been popping off in recent years, so if you’ve attended one of the music festivals in Turkey that isn’t mentioned on this list! Please do reach and let me know so I can add it to my list!
Looking for more music festivals in Europe?
My website is filled with articles just like this and cover the best festivals and parties all over the world! I’d love for you to take a look through a few of my favorite articles below, because I bet if there’s a festival missing on this list, it’s been mentioned somewhere else on my blog!
- The 30 Best U.K Music Festivals To Experience This Year
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- The 19 Best Music Festivals in Paris That’ll Keep You Dancing All Year Long
Thanks so much for reading! Share this guide with your festival crew!
