International Nasreddin Hodja Festival

Uluslararası Nasreddin Hoca Şenliği

View on map
MusicAksehir
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
Duration11 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsThe festival's signature ritual reenacts one
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: TRY
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

International Nasreddin Hodja Festival in Aksehir

Held each year from July 5 to 10 in Aksehir, the burial place of legendary humorist Nasreddin Hodja, this festival opens with a symbolic Gulmece (Comedy) Train from Istanbul and a ceremonial awakening of Hodja at his tomb, followed by days of concerts, theater, and a mock bazaar.

Every July 5th through 10th, the town of Aksehir in Konya province stages a festival built around one of Turkish folklore's most enduring characters: Nasreddin Hodja, the 13th-century wise fool whose short comic tales are told across Turkey, the Balkans, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, and whose tomb sits in Aksehir itself.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's signature ritual reenacts one of Nasreddin Hodja's most famous jokes: the symbolic Hodja and his symbolic wife travel to Aksehir Lake to perform the tale of fermenting the lake with yogurt culture, a story central to Turkish folk humor

02

The mystery stays covered

Each year a well-known Turkish comic actor takes on the role of the symbolic Hodja, with past performers including Levent Kirca, Erol Gunaydin, and Kadir Copdemir

03

The city starts moving

The festival reached its 67th edition in recent years, and in 2020 Turkey joined five Central Asian nations in a joint UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage nomination recognizing the tradition of telling comic tales about Nasreddin Hodja, a related but separate recognition from the festival itself

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The centerpiece tradition is a reenactment of Nasreddin Hodja's famous joke of trying to ferment Aksehir Lake with yogurt culture

Water and renewal

Living ritual

performed by an actor cast each year as the symbolic Hodja

The sacred route

Living ritual

alongside the ceremonial awakening of that figure at his tomb to open the festival

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

For International Nasreddin Hodja Festival, plan transport around the exact Aksehir venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Light summer clothing for early July heat in Konya province, comfortable shoes for the procession route, and sun protection for daytime outdoor events.

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For International Nasreddin Hodja Festival, stay near the part of Aksehir you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

TRY

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map38.36 N, 31.42 EOpen in Google Maps

Aksehir, Konya, Turkey

Nearest airportKYA — Konya
TransportFor International Nasreddin Hodja Festival, plan transport around the exact Aksehir venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor International Nasreddin Hodja Festival, stay near the part of Aksehir you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Aksehir via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Aksehir, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearLight summer clothing for early July heat in Konya province, comfortable shoes for the procession route, and sun protection for daytime outdoor events.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Turkey and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is International Nasreddin Hodja Festival?

International Nasreddin Hodja Festival is listed for Past edition: 5–15 July 2025. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does International Nasreddin Hodja Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Aksehir, Turkey. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

11 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Aksehir, Konya, Turkey

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLdailysabah.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Rock in Rio

4–13 September 2026

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Photo pending

Montreal International Jazz Festival

Past edition: 25 June–4 July 2026

Montreal, Canada
Photo pending

Tomorrowland Brasil

Past edition: 10–12 October 2025

Itu, Brazil
Photo pending

Glastonbury Festival

23–27 June 2027

Pilton, United Kingdom

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →