Turkey likes to celebrate a variety of holidays throughout the year. It is also a great chance for foreigners residing or simply visiting Turkey to join in celebrating the special festivities that take place.
Check out these important dates below for 2022!!
1st January
Back in 1935 New Years Day was made an official holiday in Turkey and has been celebrated ever since.
15th January
The Turkish celebrate the coldest night of the year known as Bocuk Night. To celebrate the Turkish dress up as ghosts and stroll round the streets of Kesan. The locals travel over to watch this event.
7th March
A 500 year old Greek Festival known as Baklahorani or the Tatavla Carnival is celebrated at the beginning of Lent. There will be street musicians as well as a parade in the Kurtulu district of Istanbul.
8th March
International Women’s Day
18th March
Back in 1915 on this very date the Ottoman forces which was lead by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, won the battle of Gallipoli. Even though this is not classed as an official holiday the Turkish still like to commemorate this symbolic date.
23rd April
National Sovereignty and Children’s Day sees local children fill the streets, towns and villages across Turkey, marching proudly in their school uniforms alongside fire trucks and police marching bands. The commemorative event is to celebrate the life of the founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kermal Ataturk. Songs about the Turkish Republic will be sung and famous moments of Turkish history will be re-enacted. The main feature of the day is when Turkish children take seats in parliament and symbolically govern Turkey for the day. During the day government offices, schools and many businesses will be closed due to a number of children’s festivals being held throughout the country.
23rd April
On St George’s Day, which of course is a Christian occassion, see thousands of Turkish climb up a 200 metre ascent to the Buyukada which is the largest of the Prince Islands in Istnabul. The climb continues over the ascent to Yucetpe and the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St George Koudounas.
25th April
Anzac Day, which is not a Turkish holiday, but is a day that sees Australia and New Zealand remember those lost in battle. The day marks the landing of the Allied troops in Canakkale back in 1915. A lottery is drawn every year in both countries and the applicants who are selected will join in with a special ceremony held in Gallipoli.
1st May
Labor and Solidarity Day, each year labour day is celebrated throughout Turkey for people to demand better working conditions for skilled workers. People use the day to spend time with family and friends, some people use the day to hold demonstrations. People usually come together for a picnic or a meal of some sort. This day is classed as an official holiday so government offices, schools and post offices will be closed.
2nd April – 2nd May
The month of Ramadan. Although this is not classed as an official holiday it is still very important that foreigners are aware of the fasting that takes place during the daylight hours and to know to be considerate. A cannon can usually be heard which is set off at sunset to signal the beginning of the fast-ending meal known as “iftar”. Drummers can be heard and seen wandering the streets to wake those for the final meal before the day begins known as “sahur”.
2nd – 4th May
Ramazan Bayrami, also know as Seker Bayrami meaning the “Feast of the Sweets” is a tradition in which children visit their families and neighbours to be gifted sweets. Hosts may also want to offer sweets to their guests or relatives visiting. The event begins on the 2nd May as an “eve” before the occassion and lasts for three days. Some businesses may even close for the holiday on the 1st May. Most shops and museums will re-open from the 3rd May, some stay open throughout the holiday.
5th – 6th May
Hidirellez is a special evening, which according to beliefs is when the prophets Eliijah and Al-Khidr met on Earth allowing wishes to be granted. The evening is celebrated throughout Turkey with dancing, music and bonfires, plus there are lots of rituals surrounding wish making that also take place.
19th May
Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day is a holiday commemorating Mustafa Kemal’s landing at Samsun on 19 May 1919 and is celebrated with state ceremonies and sports events that are held throughout the country. Young athletes will also carry the Turkish flag across the country from the Black Sea to the capital in commemoration of the Turkish War of Independence. This is an official holiday with administrative buildings, post offices, schools, and most businesses being closed for the day.
8th – 12th July
Kurban Bayrami (The Feast of Sacrifice) is the longest holiday in Turkey and Islam. This is a four day festival in which a sacrificed sheep or cow is slaughtered and their meat is given to the poor. There will be a half-day for many businesses on the 8th July, while the 9th till the 12th July is the official holiday.
15th July
Democracy and National Unity Day is Turkey’s newest holiday and is to commemorate lives that were lost in the coup attempt back in 2016.
30th August
Victory Day commemorates the Turkish victory against Greek forces in the Battle of Dumlupnar that took place in 1922. The day is celebrated with many people attending military parades, which are held in most major cities. Locals and shops will also usually decorate their homes and business with Turkish flags and images of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, there are also a number of ceremonies held throughout the day to honour and commemorate Atatürk. Victory Day is an official public holiday but most businesses will remain open, while schools and administrative buildings will be closed.
29th October
Republic Day is a celebration that marks the creation of the Turkish Republic, during the day many people attend performances at local stadiums that could be anything from theatre performances, poetry readings and even Turkish dances. In the evening Turkish cities hold a procession with flags, musical bands and even firework displays after dark. This is an official national holiday in Turkey so many businesses will be closed along with post offices, schools and administrative buildings.
Source: Daily Sabah
