Akbank Jazz Festival

Akbank Caz Festivali

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MusicIstanbul
DatesDates TBA · Usually AutumnCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsSince its 1991 debut lineup, which included
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: TRY
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Akbank Jazz Festival in Istanbul

Founded in 1991 and produced by Pozitif on behalf of sponsor Akbank, the Akbank Jazz Festival is Turkey's longest-running jazz festival, reaching its 36th edition based at Akbank Sanat in Istanbul. It spans classical, avant-garde, electronic, and modern jazz across venues that have included Hagia Irene and the Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall.

In 1991, a jazz festival launched in Istanbul with a lineup that would be remarkable by any era's standards: Ahmed Abdullah and The Solomonic Sextet, the Max Roach Quartet, Airto Moreira and Flora Purim Quintet, and the Art Ensemble of Chicago, spread across eight concerts.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Since its 1991 debut lineup, which included Max Roach Quartet and the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the festival has hosted an extraordinary run of major jazz figures, among them Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp, Abdullah Ibrahim, Dave Holland, McCoy Tyner, and Robert Glasper Experiment

02

The mystery stays covered

Since 2006 it has run Kampuste Caz, or Jazz on Campus, extending programming to university cities including Ankara, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Izmir, Trabzon, Adana, Erzurum, Kayseri, and Kars, and since 2011 it has run JamZZ, a young-talent competition based at the Babylon venue

03

The city starts moving

It is a member of the European Jazz Network and won a 2011 Golden Compass Award for corporate social responsibility in culture and art

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

the festival's JamZZ competition at Babylon has served as a launchpad for young jazz talent

Water and renewal

Living ritual

while its long-running Jazz on Campus program extends the festival's reach into university cities across Turkey

The sacred route

Living ritual

reflecting an emphasis on nurturing new audiences and musicians alongside headline international bookings

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually Autumn

Getting around

For Akbank Jazz Festival, plan transport around the exact Istanbul venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Smart-casual attire suitable for concert-hall and cultural-center settings; a jacket or layer for Istanbul's cooler autumn evenings, as the festival has historically run in that season.

Safety

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

Where to stay

For Akbank Jazz Festival, stay near the part of Istanbul you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

TRY

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.01 N, 28.98 EOpen in Google Maps

Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey

Nearest airportISL — İstanbul Atatürk
TransportFor Akbank Jazz Festival, plan transport around the exact Istanbul venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Akbank Jazz Festival, stay near the part of Istanbul 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 Istanbul via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Istanbul, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearSmart-casual attire suitable for concert-hall and cultural-center settings; a jacket or layer for Istanbul's cooler autumn evenings, as the festival has historically run in that season.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

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Akbank Jazz Festival?

Akbank Jazz Festival is listed for Multiple months · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Akbank Jazz Festival take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

Autumn 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?

Istanbul, Istanbul, 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 URLbiletix.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually Autumn
Source statusOfficial source linked
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