Public holidays in Turkey include national celebrations and
religious festivals. These dates can affect government offices,
banks, museums, public transport and access to popular tourist
areas.
Knowing the public holiday dates in Turkey can help you plan a
smoother trip. Many major tourist attractions in Istanbul remain
open during public holidays, but opening hours, guided tour
timetables and transportation routes may change.
This guide covers the official public holidays in Turkey in 2026,
as well as school holidays and other important special days. It
also explains what visitors may experience in Istanbul during
each holiday.
Important: An official public holiday does not
always mean that Istanbul attractions will be closed. Major
museums and tourist sites may operate with special opening hours,
while government offices, schools and banks are generally closed.
Official Public Holidays in Turkey
Official public holidays in Turkey are established by law. They
include New Year’s Day, national holidays and the two main Islamic
festivals: Ramadan Feast and Sacrifice Feast. The eve of each religious festival becomes an official half-day
holiday after 1:00 PM. Republic Day also begins at 1:00 PM on
October 28 and continues throughout October 29.
| Public Holiday |
2026 Date |
Duration |
Possible Travel Impact |
| New Year’s Day |
January 1, Thursday |
1 day |
Some attractions may open later than usual. |
| Ramadan Feast |
March 19–22, Thursday–Sunday |
3.5 days |
Opening hours may change, particularly on the first
day.
|
|
National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
|
April 23, Thursday |
1 day |
Public squares and family attractions may be busier.
|
| Labour and Solidarity Day |
May 1, Friday |
1 day |
Access restrictions may affect central Istanbul.
|
|
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
|
May 19, Tuesday |
1 day |
Ceremonies and public events may increase crowds.
|
| Sacrifice Feast |
May 26–30, Tuesday–Saturday |
4.5 days |
Some businesses and attractions may change their
hours.
|
|
Democracy and National Unity Day
|
July 15, Wednesday |
1 day |
Commemorative events may affect central areas.
|
| Victory Day |
August 30, Sunday |
1 day |
Official ceremonies may cause temporary road
closures.
|
| Republic Day |
October 28–29, Wednesday–Thursday |
1.5 days |
Celebrations may make central and waterfront areas
busier.
|
January 1
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is the first official public holiday of the
year. Government offices, schools and banks are closed,
while private businesses decide their own operating hours. Istanbul is generally quieter on the morning of January 1
after the New Year’s Eve celebrations. Restaurants and
major tourist attractions may open later than usual.
Visitor note: Check the opening time of
your first attraction before leaving your hotel.
March 19–22
Ramadan Feast – Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan Feast marks the end of the fasting month of
Ramadan. It is a three-day religious festival focused on
family visits, shared meals and traditional celebrations. The holiday is also widely known as Şeker Bayramı, meaning
Sugar Feast. Children often receive sweets, chocolates and
small gifts while visiting relatives. The official holiday begins at 1:00 PM on March 19. The
first full day is March 20, and the festival continues
through March 22.
Visitor note: Some museums, restaurants
and local businesses may open later on the first day.
April 23
National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
April 23 commemorates the opening of the Grand National
Assembly of Turkey in 1920. The day is also dedicated to
children and is one of Turkey’s most distinctive national
holidays. Schools organise ceremonies, performances and
celebrations. Public squares and family attractions may
also host special events for children.
Visitor note: Aquariums, parks, museums
and other family attractions may be busier than usual.
May 1
Labour and Solidarity Day
May 1 is an official public holiday recognising workers,
labour rights, unity and solidarity. Meetings, marches and
public gatherings may take place in major cities. In Istanbul, additional security measures and temporary
access restrictions may affect Taksim Square, Istiklal
Street and nearby transportation routes.
Visitor note: Consider planning
attractions outside the Taksim area if restrictions are
announced.
May 19
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
May 19 commemorates Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s arrival in
Samsun in 1919. This event is associated with the beginning
of the Turkish War of Independence. Youth events, sports activities and official ceremonies
are organised across Turkey. Most museums and tourist
attractions in Istanbul usually remain open.
Visitor note: Public squares and
locations hosting ceremonies may be more crowded.
May 26–30
Sacrifice Feast – Eid al-Adha
Sacrifice Feast is a four-day religious festival observed
throughout Turkey. Families gather, share meals and support
relatives, neighbours and people in need. The official holiday begins at 1:00 PM on May 26. The first
full day is May 27, and the festival continues until the
end of May 30.
Visitor note: Local businesses may be
closed on the first day, and museum opening hours should
be checked in advance.
July 15
Democracy and National Unity Day
July 15 is observed in memory of those who lost their lives
during the attempted coup of July 15, 2016. Commemorative
programmes and official ceremonies are held throughout
Turkey. Public squares and areas hosting ceremonies may become
crowded. Temporary changes to road access and public
transport routes are also possible.
Visitor note: Allow additional travel
time when moving through central Istanbul.
August 30
Victory Day
Victory Day commemorates the victory of the Great
Offensive in 1922. It is also associated with the decisive
stage of the Turkish War of Independence. Military ceremonies, public events and official
commemorations take place across the country. Most
Istanbul attractions normally remain open.
Visitor note: Roads near ceremony areas
may be temporarily closed or experience heavier traffic.
October 28–29
Republic Day
Republic Day commemorates the proclamation of the Republic
of Turkey on October 29, 1923. It is one of the country’s
most important national celebrations. The official holiday begins at 1:00 PM on October 28 and
continues throughout October 29. Ceremonies, concerts,
parades and celebrations may be held across Istanbul.
Visitor note: Sultanahmet, Taksim,
Beşiktaş, Kadıköy and the Bosphorus waterfront may be
busier during evening celebrations.
Other Holidays and Special Days in Turkey
Turkey also has school breaks, memorial days and widely celebrated
special occasions that are not official public holidays. Government
offices, banks and tourist attractions normally continue to operate
on these dates. However, school holidays can increase the number of families
travelling within Turkey. Other special days may bring ceremonies,
restaurant reservations, public gatherings or higher demand for
certain Istanbul experiences.
January 19–30
School Semester Holiday
The school semester holiday takes place from January 19
to January 30, 2026. This is a school holiday rather than
a nationwide public holiday. Family-friendly attractions such as aquariums, museums,
theme parks and indoor activity centres may be busier
during this period.
March 16–20
Second-Term School Break
Schools have a second-term break from March 16 to March 20,
2026. The break overlaps with the beginning of the Ramadan
Feast holiday. Family travel demand may increase at airports, bus
terminals and popular indoor attractions.
Summer Period
Summer School Holiday
The main summer school holiday begins after the end of the
academic year. It covers most of July and August. This is already a busy travel period in Istanbul. Booking
popular attractions and Bosphorus experiences in advance
can make itinerary planning easier.
November
First-Term School Break
The first-term school break usually takes place for one
week in November. It is not an official public holiday. Indoor museums, family attractions and shopping centres
may receive more visitors, especially during rainy weather.
February 14: Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday. Restaurants, hotels
and Bosphorus dinner cruises may offer special programmes.
March 8: International Women’s Day
Events, exhibitions and public gatherings may be organised,
but attractions usually follow their regular schedules.
March 18: Çanakkale Victory and Martyrs’ Day
Memorial ceremonies are held across Turkey, with the largest
commemorations taking place in Çanakkale.
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May.
Restaurants and popular brunch venues may be busy.
Father’s Day
Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
Businesses and tourist attractions remain open as usual.
November 10: Atatürk Memorial Day
At 9:05 AM, people across Turkey observe moments of silence
in memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
November 24: Teachers’ Day
Schools organise ceremonies and celebrations for teachers.
It is not an official public holiday.
December 31: New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is not a public holiday, but Istanbul becomes
busy around Taksim, Nişantaşı, Kadıköy and the Bosphorus.
What Should Visitors Know About Public Holidays in Istanbul?
-
Check museum and attraction opening hours before starting
your day.
-
Allow additional travel time if ceremonies or road closures
are expected.
-
Reserve popular cruises, restaurants and guided experiences
early during long holiday periods.
-
Expect public transport, airports and intercity terminals to
be busier before and after religious festivals.
-
Keep an alternative attraction in your itinerary in case an
opening time changes.
Plan Your Istanbul Trip During Public Holidays
Most major Istanbul attractions remain available during public
holidays, although individual opening hours can change. Istanbul
E-pass guests can contact customer support to check current
attraction information and organise their itinerary more easily.
View Istanbul Attractions