ISTANBUL EVENTS 2022: What’s on in Istanbul?
Audrey Heath · Updated 8 May 2022
Istanbul’s annual calendar is filled with a range of delightful festivals and events that cater to visitors of all ages. Here on our blog, you can learn about the most popular festivals and events in Istanbul, including what they have to offer, where they are held, and what their festival programs are like.
Istanbul is a city steeped in history and cultural heritage. Every year, a variety of cultural and musical events are celebrated here. The other major events include those involving the arts, music, film, and concerts. Istanbul night events are on par with that of any other major metropolis. There are several nightclubs and bars in the area also. Every year, the International Istanbul Film Festival, the International Istanbul Theatre Festival, the International Puppet Festival, and the International Jazz Festival are held with pride.
Istanbul Event Guide 2022
Let’s start with music events and 2022 concerts in Istanbul, and continue with 2022 summer and fall events.
1. Chill-Out Festival – 15 May 2022
In celebration of its 16th year of existence, the Chill-Out Festival will return to Kemer Country Club on May 15th to provide an unending spectrum of joyful music, as well as workshops and activities that are both artistically and culturally connected. Not only does the festival provide its guests with the opportunity to see the ideal fusion of nature and music in its all-natural setting, but it also provides them with an opportunity to get away from the hectic lifestyle of cosmopolitan life in Istanbul. Christian Löffler, Romare, Deer Jade, El Mundo & Zazou, Cantanca, Hiss-i Elektro are among the artists who will perform.
2. Dream Theater and Devin Townsend – 1 June 2022
Dream Theater will hold its farewell performance on the European leg of its Top of The World tour on June 1, 2022, at KüçükÇiftlik Park which is one of the highly-rated event venues in Istanbul. The performances prepared for the album A View from The Top Of The World contain a playlist that lasts more than 2 hours.
Going on the major tour for the first time in a long time, Dream Theater will take Devin Townsend to make these moments even more spectacular. Townsend, who was revealed as the special guest of the tour, said that he will release his new album Lightwork in April.
3. Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets – 6 June 2022
In conjunction with his band Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, legendary Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason has announced a European tour for 2022.
The band has added Turkey to the last leg of its European tour, which was previously postponed until 2022 because of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The performance will take place on June 6th, 2022, at Volkswagen Arena. Music by Pink Floyd’s debut album, The Wall, through to Obscured by Clouds will be performed by the members of Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, which includes Nick Mason, Gary Kemp, Guy Pratt, Lee Harris, and Dom Beken.
4. Istanbul Music Festival – 6 – 24 June 2022
The Istanbul International Music Festival, previously known as the Istanbul Festival, is a cultural event that takes place in Istanbul, Turkey, every June, and July. It presents a diverse range of European classical music, ballet, opera, and traditional music performances, amongst other things.
This year’s performer names include Fazıl Say, Borusan Quartet & Xavier De Maistre, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin & Anna Prohaska, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin & Anna Prohaska, Presidential Symphony Orchestra & Gautier Capuçon, Amsterdam Sinfonietta & Valentina Lisitsa, Kinan Azmeh Cityband, Alice Sara Ott: “Echoes of Life”, and Mare Nostrum.
5. Istanbul International Jazz Festival – 25 June to 7 July 2022
The 29th Istanbul Jazz Festival, which will be held on June 25, 2022, and organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (KSV), will take place in Istanbul.
The festival will run for 13 days, concluding on July 7. Over 200 musicians from Turkey and beyond will play as part of the event, which will take place in Istanbul.
The festival will feature performances by artists such as Dianne Reeves, who has won five Grammy awards, Melody Gardot, John McLaughlin, who has taught jazz and rock guitar to three generations of musicians, Enrico Pieranunz, Teoman, who is one of Turkey’s leading rock musicians, Kalben, clarinet master Yom, rock band Boom Pam, and Kutiman, and many more influential names.
6. Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike – 10 September 2022
Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike’s journey from recognized DJs to dominating the worldwide electronic music industry has been on a continual, increasing track, propelling them to once again become the World’s No.1 DJs, this time breaking the previous record. Dimitri Vegas – Like Mike, he began the performances without pausing, and they will also play in Istanbul in September, according to their schedule.
7. Carl Cox – 24 September 2022
Carl Cox, the living legend and one of the greatest DJs of all time, is returning to Istanbul with his Jeton performance. At this year’s event, which will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Volkswagen Arena, Carl Cox, who will play as Hybrid Live, will be joined by Jeton Records founder Ferhat Albayrak and Kuvoka, both of whom are major names in the Jeton Records roster of artists.
Istanbul events calendar 2022 for Arts & Culture Events
Apart from music festivals and concerts of upcoming events in Istanbul, where you can look at art and cultural events of 2022 too.
8. Art & Kids Fest. At Galataport Istanbul – 21 & 22 May 2022
Art & Kids Fest seeks to bring together children ages 0 – 3 and 4 – 13 with works of art and artists via a variety of activities. Children are assisted in discovering their identities and talents in a variety of creative mediums via artistic activities, which are seen as an interdisciplinary learning environment.
In the context of the festival, the workshops, which will take place in Clock Tower Square, will assist youngsters in the development of their manual skills as well as their physical growth.
9. Istanbul Biennial – 17 September to 20 November 2022
Since 1987, the Istanbul Biennial has been a biennial of contemporary art held every two years in Istanbul, Turkey. The epidemic and its life-altering implications continue to touch the 17th Istanbul Biennial, its curators, and participants. The Istanbul Biennial 2022 will take place at various sites around the city, revealing and amplifying links between modern life and Istanbul’s highly complex history.
The Biennial venues will include a modern master calligrapher and bookbinder’s atelier, a fifteenth-century hammam, an abandoned Greek School, an art space run by immigrant artists, and a former gas house, newly renovated as a cultural center, and will span historic districts as well as those developed during the city’s expansion over the last century.
10. Contemporary Istanbul Exhibition- September 19-23 2022
The 17th Contemporary Istanbul, Turkey’s biggest international art market, is preparing to welcome visitors to the new site, Tersane Istanbul, which will open its doors in September. A thriving contemporary art sector has evolved out of Istanbul in recent decades, and Contemporary Istanbul will bring together galleries from the area and throughout the globe to showcase this vibrant environment. More than 85 galleries and 650 artists from Turkey and other parts of the globe participate in this exhibition. The exhibition is the most important contemporary art exposition in the country.
11. Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival – 3-22 September 2022
During the early days of the Roman Empire, the city of Aspendos was under the control of the Empire. It is now situated in Turkish territory, 4 kilometers north of Serik and 38 kilometers south of Antalya. The Roman amphitheater is considered to be one of the oldest and most magnificent amphitheaters in the world. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the greatest classic repertoire in the world performed in the best-preserved historic Amphitheatre. The event takes place in the summer or early autumn; the dates and length vary depending on the location. It attracts the world’s best opera and ballet performers every year, as well as a large number of spectators, the majority of whom are from other countries (70 percent of the total). The Aspendos Arena also hosts other year-round events, such as the Fire of Anatolia, which takes place throughout the summer.
12. Istanbul Coffee Festival – September 2022
It is a carnival-like event lasting around 4 days in Istanbul, bringing coffee from all over the globe to the delight of coffee enthusiasts everywhere. The event will take place in the Küçükçiftlik Park location, which is situated in Macka, near Taksim Square, and is free to attend. A fun day out is guaranteed as you sample coffee from a variety of vendors and engage in coffee workshops, lectures, playground activities, and contests. Istanbul Coffee Festival is free to attend but 2022 dates are TBA.
13. Istanbul Theatre Festival – November 2022
The Istanbul Theatre Festival is introducing a whole new framework as well as a curatorial approach for the first time. As part of its heritage of presenting international and local works of the greatest quality to Turkish audiences, the festival will continue to evolve with each edition, allowing for new approaches as well as a dynamic and inventive programming schedule. The 26th Istanbul Theatre Festival, which will be organized by Işıl Kasapoğlu, will take place in November of the following year.
Special Events in Istanbul 2022
In this part, you can find miscellaneous events including sports, night events, and more.
14. Istanbul Tulip Festival
Tulips were very essential to the Ottoman Empire as well as Turkish culture, and they are still today. And to commemorate both the arrival of spring and the achievement of this milestone, this yearly celebration is held in some of the city’s most prominent parks, such as Gulhane Park in Sirkeci and Sultanahmet Square in Sultanahmet. However, no specific dates for 2022 have been revealed.
15. Istanbul Marathon – 6 November 2022
The Istanbul Marathon is the world’s only transcontinental marathon and a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race. It is held in Istanbul, Turkey. Tens of thousands of Istanbulites participate in the annual Fun Run, which transforms into a feast, while the Istanbul Marathon will once again be confined to just 7,500 marathon participants in 2022, according to the organizers
16. Istanbul Puppet Festival – 2-8 November 2022
Several well-known national and international puppeteers perform during the yearly International Istanbul Puppet Festival. As an alternative to taking in puppet performances, you may participate in puppet-making classes and create your puppet.
17. Istanbul Gastronomy Festival
It was held from December 22nd to December 25th, 2021, this year’s International Istanbul Gastronomy Festival, which is held every year. A total of 630 chefs from 53 different countries, including 5,300 cooks from Turkey, participated in the festival, which was hosted at the Eurasia Art and Performance Center. The chefs competed in 91 different categories, with the winners receiving cash prizes. The exact day on which it will take place in 2022 has not yet been confirmed.
18. Istanbul Shopping Festival
Following the shopping festivals in Dubai and Singapore, the Istanbul Shopping Event is the third festival that draws the greatest attention in terms of attendance. The event will take place in nine retail malls as well as the Grand Bazaar. You can shop at the Istanbul Shopping Festival and take advantage of special discounts on well-known brands. Dates will be announced.
19. Couchsurfing Events – Pub Crawl 2022 İstanbul
You will receive a lot of free drinks, play drinking games, and be part of the largest throng of party-goers in Istanbul if you visit many pubs and spend time in Istanbul.
A typical party crawl goes like this:
- Before we proceed to the first club, you get the party started at the first location, giving everyone a chance to loosen up and get to know each other with some drinking games and a free shot.
- At 11 p.m., the party bus brings us to the nightlife district, where we drink a bottle of Raki (a Turkish strong liquor).
- And you will enjoy VIP access to Taksim’s premier nightclubs.
New Year’s Eve 2022 – 31 December 2022
2022 New Year’s Eve It is one magnificent event saying adieu to the old year and greeting the new in Istanbul, and it will undoubtedly delight you. Prepare your glittery gowns and get set to attend some of Istanbul’s greatest New Year’s Eve 2022 parties. Dance till you drop and ring in the new year with a wild bash. Those who do not like to party may enjoy the new year by watching the New Year Fireworks in Istanbul from some of the city’s greatest attractions and rooftop restaurants. There are some extremely fascinating weekend getaways set up for commemorating the 31st of December 2022 for those who like unexpected things.
Istanbul Events 2022:
As you’ve guessed up until now, Istanbul events provide a great range for everyone. Apart from those listed above, you may find more niche fairs, trade shows, exhibitions, and concerts held every week if you want to search more.