Spring isn't just a time for fragrant flowers to bloom; it's also a time for festivals across Turkey. The cold days and long nights have finally come to an end. Now you can enjoy free time outdoors, rather than hiding indoors or in crowded shopping malls. With the arrival of spring, seasonal festivals across Turkey have announced their schedules and programs, offering something for everyone, from children to retirees.
Nevruz
March 21 marks Nevruz, an ancient Persian festival welcoming spring and widely celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and other countries in the region. While the origins of this ancient tradition are the subject of historical debate, Nevruz, as it is called in Persian, means "new day." During celebrations, lights are lit and people jump over them to mark the arrival of the new year. In Turkey, Nevruz is celebrated in almost every corner of the country.
International Orange Blossom Carnival, Antalya
There is no doubt that the jewel of the Turkish Mediterranean is Antalya, and April is the best month to visit. To celebrate the arrival of spring and orange blossoms, the Antalya Municipality has been holding the International Orange Blossom Carnival since 2012.
This year marks the sixth festival, which will run from April 5th to 8th, with the official opening ceremony taking place on April 7th. Throughout the carnival, open-air concerts, street shows, exhibitions, city tours, kite festivals, and other cultural events will be held throughout the city. Additionally, on April 8th, the final day of the festival, a Cortege costume design competition and a car design competition with racing competitions will be held at the Porta-Car car show. The winners of the best carnival costumes and cars will receive awards from the carnival organizers.
Herb Alaçatı Festival, Izmir
The Izmir resort of Alaçatı is famous for its Herb Festival, which began four years ago. This year, the ninth edition of the festival is scheduled to take place from April 6th to 8th, with the main theme "Quince/Asparagus."
The festival will welcome thousands of guests, a tradition for gardeners who participated in herb-picking and planting competitions, one of the country's most popular activities. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about local flavors and herb-picking techniques, and attend nutrition seminars and the dietary benefits of wild herbs and plants.
Bodrum Herb Festival
Following the success of the Alaçatı Herb Festival, Bodrum Muğla, another resort in southern Turkey, is hosting its own herb festival on March 24 and 25. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn more about Bodrum's endemic plants and how to use them in the kitchen. Organic products such as milk, cheese, olive oil, and soap, produced locally, are also available for purchase.
Mesir Paste Festival, Manisa
The famous Mesir Paste Festival in Manisa will be held for the 478th time this year. Turkey's second-oldest festival is also listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site. Mesir is a sweet paste believed to have therapeutic properties. It is prepared by the ton and distributed among the thousands of people who gather in Manisa annually for the festival. The serving of mesir is the culmination of the week-long festival, which includes concerts, exhibitions, and several public events.
Eurasia Air Show, Antalya
The skies of Antalya are preparing for a two-day air show. The exhibition will be open for trade visitors from April 25 to 27, then open to the public on April 28 and 29. It's Turkey's largest show-based aviation event. During the public event, pilots will attempt to break world records, and an aerobatic display will be on display.
Kakava Festival, Edirne
For Turks, Balkan nations, and Roma, the arrival of spring requires a proper celebration. Edirne, home to a large Roma community, welcomes the season in its Kakava district. A large Roma community, as well as tourists, gather in Kakava and dance all night around a bonfire. As the sun rises, people flock to the Tunka River, where they wash their faces in the river "for prosperity and health." Participants then begin leaving candles in the river after tying ribbons to a wishing tree. The Kakava Festival, scheduled for May 5th and 6th, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
