Hidirellez Festival Istanbul

Hıdırellez Şenlikleri İstanbul

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MusicIstanbul
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsHidirellez was inscribed on Turkey's UNESCO
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: TRY
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Hidirellez Festival Istanbul in Istanbul

Hidirellez marks the night of May 5 into May 6 across Istanbul, when tradition holds that the prophets Hizir and Ilyas met on earth, and residents gather at parks, forests and the Bosphorus shoreline to light bonfires, tie wish-notes to trees or roses, and welcome the arrival of spring.

Every year on the night of May 5 into May 6, Istanbul residents gather in parks, forests and along the Bosphorus shoreline for Hidirellez, a folk holiday built around the belief that the prophets Hizir and Ilyas meet on earth on this single night.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Hidirellez was inscribed on Turkey's UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2017, formal recognition of a folk holiday that predates any single organized festival brand built around it

02

The mystery stays covered

In Istanbul the night draws people to green spaces such as Kagithane and Belgrad Forest, where families and friends write wishes on paper and tie them to rose bushes or trees, believing wishes made that night carry special power

03

The city starts moving

The holiday's roots blend Islamic tradition, in which Hizir and Ilyas are revered figures associated with wisdom and guardianship, with older seasonal customs tied to Saint George's Day observed elsewhere in the Balkans and among Roma communities, who mark a related celebration called Kakava with its own distinct public festival in the Thracian cities of Edirne and Kirklareli

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The holiday centers on the belief that Hizir and Ilyas

Water and renewal

Living ritual

two revered figures in Turkish Islamic and folk tradition

The sacred route

Living ritual

meet on earth on this single night each year

The local code

Living ritual

and that wishes made or symbolic acts performed during it carry special weight

Tradition 5

Living ritual

Writing a wish on paper and tying it to a rose bush or tree

Tradition 6

Living ritual

a custom widely practiced in Istanbul

Tradition 7

Living ritual

reflects an older seasonal layer of the holiday tied to spring's arrival

Tradition 8

Living ritual

The related Roma celebration

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Plan routes around set times, late-night exits, and crowded transport after headline acts.

What to wear

Casual outdoor clothing suited to an evening picnic or bonfire gathering; layers help since May evenings can turn cool after sunset, and closed shoes are more practical than sandals for...

Safety

At Hidirellez Festival Istanbul, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Istanbul you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

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

Language/currency

TRY

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.01 N, 28.95 EOpen in Google Maps

Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey

Nearest airportISL — İstanbul Atatürk
TransportPlan routes around set times, late-night exits, and crowded transport after headline acts.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Istanbul you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

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 May.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor clothing suited to an evening picnic or bonfire gathering; layers help since May evenings can turn cool after sunset, and closed shoes are more practical than sandals for uneven park or forest ground after dark.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 Hidirellez Festival Istanbul?

Hidirellez Festival Istanbul is listed for May · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Hidirellez Festival Istanbul 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?

Spring 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 URLkultur.istanbul
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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