Turkish towns host large festivals drawing thousands of visitors

Several local festivals across Turkey attracted large crowds in the summer of 2026. In Istanbul's Küçükçekmece district, the second Classic Car Festival displayed hundreds of restored vehicles, including 1960s and 70s minibuses, and drew thousands of attendees. In the Black Sea province of Samsun, the traditional Kavak Çakallı Menemen Festival hosted around 10,000 visitors, offering gastronomic tastings of the protected Çakallı menemen along with adventure activities such as paragliding and ATV rides.

Bursa celebrated the 700th anniversary of its conquest with a multi‑day gastronomy festival, opening stall applications for 145 exhibitors showcasing regional specialties and historical food shows. In Afyonkarahisar's Bolvadin district, the 35th Kaymak and Eber Lake Festival featured a competitive “Traditional Kaymak Contest,” where producers presented their dairy products and winners were announced. Finally, in Malatya's Kuluncak district, the inaugural Kuluncak Culture Festival took place in the town square, gathering thousands of residents and local officials for performances, folk music, and communal celebrations.

All events emphasized cultural heritage, local tourism promotion, and community participation.