Istanbul Culture Route Festival starts on September 26 with a nine-day program
Events organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will meet art lovers at many points across the city.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Istanbul Culture Route Festival is preparing to meet art lovers between September 26 and October 4, 2026.
History and Scope of the Festival
Istanbul will be the twentieth stop of the Turkey Culture Route Festival, implemented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. First launched in 2021 under the name Beyoğlu Culture Route Festival, the organization is taking place in the city for the sixth time this year. The events, lasting nine days, will spread to different parts of the city.
Featured Concerts and Orchestras
The festival will open with a concert by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the UK's established orchestras, at the Atatürk Cultural Center. The program will also feature names such as the National Arab Orchestra, Özcan Deniz, Murat Boz, Simge, Ceza, and Yavuz Bingöl.
Theater, Ballet, and Exhibition Events
The program includes theatrical performances, workshops, and various exhibitions. While the "Three Painters" exhibition will welcome visitors at the AKM Gallery, the Stanislavsky Ballet Gala will also be presented to the audience.
The City's Culture Route Vision
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that they approach Istanbul not merely as a festival venue, but as a culture route in its own right. For nine days, the city's squares will be transformed into meeting points for art.