Public Holidays in Istanbul
Here you can find information about any special celebrations you wouldn't want to miss on your trip, or if any of the major monuments are likely to be closed.
Public Holidays in Istanbul
- Christian New Year: 1st January.
- Day of the Fallen Soldier: 18th March commemoration of a major WWI naval victory against the Allied fleets in the Dardanelles.
- National Independence Day: 23rd April. A day in memory of the inauguration of the Turkish parliament. Also the Day of the Child.
- Atatürk Anniversary: 19th May. Celebration of the birth of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic and its first president. Also the day of Youth and Sport.
- Ascension of Mohammed: varies between June and July. A festival in honour of the day that the prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven.
- Day of Victory: 30th August. Commemoration of the victory over Greece in 1922.
- Festival of Lamb: Date varies. Known as the Muslim easter, it's one of the most important dates in the Muslim calendar. Anyone who can travels to be with their family and eat a sacrificial lamb.
- Ramadan: Ninth month of the Muslim calendar (corresponding to the months August or September). For 30 days Muslims fast until sunset.
- Day of the Republic: 29th October. Celebration with military parades and folk shows in memory of the installation of the Republic.
- Día de la República: 29 de octubre. Celebración de desfiles militares y espectáculos folclóricos en recuerdo de la instauración de la República.
- Death of Atatürk: 10th November. Anniversary of the death of the founder of modern Turkey.
- Islamic New Year: Date varies.