Turkey is once again in the spotlight this year with its rich festival calendar and outdoor events. The Culture Route Festivals, one of the prestigious members of the European Festivals Association (EFA), will be held in 26 cities in 2026, covering the widest geographical area to date. This series of events, lasting for months, will introduce both local and international audiences more closely to the country's cultural heritage, taking them on a unique cultural journey.
The project, organized by Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, was founded in 2021 with the Beyoğlu Culture Route Festival. Rapidly expanding across the country in a short period, the festival had already covered 20 cities by 2025, featuring 9,645 events, over 50,000 artists, and a total program duration of 180 days. The 2026 season promises a new record in terms of scale: the festival duration will be extended to 234 days, and events will encompass 26 regions.
Within the scope of this year's program, various events will be held in the cities of Şanlıurfa, Aydın, Mersin, Eskişehir, Manisa, Trabzon, Samsun, Bursa, Sakarya, Van, Konya, Nevşehir, Malatya, Erzurum, Ordu, Çanakkale, Kayseri, Kahramanmaraş, Ankara, Istanbul, Gaziantep, Diyarbakır, Mardin, İzmir, Antalya, and Adana. The cities included in the 2026 calendar for the first time are Aydın, Eskişehir, Kahramanmaraş, Mersin, Ordu, and Sakarya.
Distinguished by its extensive program, the Culture Route Festivals serve as an important platform for presenting Turkey's historical and cultural heritage, while also making a significant contribution to promoting the country's tourism potential.
The 2026 edition will kick off on April 25 in Şanlıurfa and conclude on November 15 in Adana. Thousands of events will be held along this extensive route covering 26 cities. Concerts, exhibitions, theater performances, opera, discussions, and various masterclasses will transform Turkey into a grand cultural stage for months.
Events aimed at children also hold a special place in the festival program. Through various creative workshops, stage performances, outdoor play areas, and educational programs, children will be encouraged to engage with art from an early age. All events will highlight local heritage, showcasing Turkey's rich cultural diversity.
One of the main innovations of the 2026 program is the initiatives presented in the field of gastronomy. Advisory boards consisting of experts will be established in each festival city to present the culinary heritage more accurately and authentically. These boards will identify the main culinary venues of the cities, while also highlighting the unique flavors of each region to form special gastronomic routes.
Additionally, a "city chef" will be appointed for each province. These chefs will lead the preparation of the gastronomy section of the event program and contribute to promoting local cuisine. This approach will enable a more systematic and effective presentation of regional culinary culture. For visitors, more interactive and memorable experiences will be offered through masterclasses, tasting events, and specially curated culinary routes.
The full festival calendar and detailed information can be accessed through official platforms.
Turkey's Culture Route Festivals maintain their status as one of the world's longest-running cultural and artistic events. Inspired by Anatolia's rich and multifaceted cultural heritage, this project is envisioned to eventually encompass all regions of the country.
According to future plans, the festival's geography will expand further. In 2027, with the inclusion of Balıkesir, Denizli, Hatay, Kocaeli, Muğla, and Tekirdağ in the program, the number of cities will reach 32. This signifies a further growth in the project's scale and a broader presentation of Turkey's cultural map.
Turkey Culture Route Festivals - 2026 Calendar
Şanlıurfa - April 25-May 3 Van - July 11-19 Ankara - September 19-27
Aydın - May 2-10 Konya - July 18-26 Istanbul - September 26-October 4
Mersin - May 9-17 Nevşehir - August 1-9 Gaziantep - October 3-11
Eskişehir - May 16-24 Malatya - August 8-16 Diyarbakır - October 10-18
Manisa - May 30-June 7 Erzurum - August 15-23 Mardin - October 17-25
Trabzon - June 6-14 Ordu - August 22-30 İzmir - October 24-November 1
Samsun - June 20-28 Çanakkale - August 29-September 6 Antalya - October 31-November 8
Bursa - June 27-July 5 Kayseri - September 5-13 Adana - November 7-15
Sakarya - July 4-12 Kahramanmaraş - September 12-20