Kutul-Bilbilan Highland Festival

Kutul-Bilbilan Yayla Şenlikleri

View on map
MusicArtvin highlands
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsArtvin province sits at a cultural
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: TRY
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Kutul-Bilbilan Highland Festival in Artvin highlands

The Kutul-Bilbilan Highland Festival is held at Bilbilan plateau in Yusufeli district, Artvin province, in Turkey's far northeastern Kackar mountain region, recognized as one of the country's oldest continuously observed yayla festivals, featuring horse racing, wrestling, and Caucasus-influenced folk dance and music.

Bilbilan plateau rises in Yusufeli district of Artvin province, a corner of northeastern Turkey where the Kackar mountain range meets a long history of Georgian and South Caucasus cultural influence, layered over centuries alongside Laz and Anatolian Turkish settlement.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Artvin province sits at a cultural crossroads shaped by centuries of Georgian, Laz, and broader South Caucasus influence, and the Kutul-Bilbilan festival, held on Bilbilan plateau near Yusufeli, is widely regarded regionally as one of the longest-running yayla celebrations in Turkey, with local tradition tracing its observance back many generations before formal municipal organization existed

02

The mystery stays covered

Its program combines elements distinct from Black Sea coastal festivals further west, including horse racing across open plateau ground and wrestling matches alongside horon-style dancing and kemence or tulum music, reflecting Artvin's blended highland culture at the meeting point of Anatolian and South Caucasus traditions

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Yayla festivals of this kind trace to the seasonal transhumance cycle of moving livestock to high summer pasture

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a practice central to Artvin's mountain economy for centuries

The sacred route

Living ritual

with horse racing and wrestling reflecting both practical pastoral skills and the region's blended Georgian

The local code

Living ritual

and Anatolian Turkish cultural heritage

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Getting to Kutul-Bilbilan Highland Festival works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.

What to wear

Layered mountain clothing is essential given Bilbilan's high plateau elevation, with a waterproof outer layer for sudden weather changes and sturdy footwear for open pasture ground.

Safety

At Kutul-Bilbilan Highland Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Artvin highlands.

Tickets/cost

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

Language/currency

TRY

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.16 N, 41.84 EOpen in Google Maps

Artvin highlands, Artvin, Turkey

Nearest airportBUS — Alexander Kartveli Batumi
TransportGetting to Kutul-Bilbilan Highland Festival works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Artvin highlands.

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 Artvin highlands via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Artvin highlands, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearLayered mountain clothing is essential given Bilbilan's high plateau elevation, with a waterproof outer layer for sudden weather changes and sturdy footwear for open pasture ground.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 Kutul-Bilbilan Highland Festival?

Kutul-Bilbilan Highland Festival is listed for Multiple months. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Kutul-Bilbilan Highland Festival take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

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

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Artvin highlands, Artvin, 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 URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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 →