# Turkish municipal festivals and youth events > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-childrens-education-festivals > Updated: 2026-08-10T09:15:54.000Z. Sources: 56. Developments: 28. Since June 2026 municipalities have expanded the programme beyond circumcision rites to include preschool education festivals in Sakarya and folk‑dance celebrations in Antalya, spring festivals for children with special needs in Onikişubat and Diyarbakır, and a mosque‑hosted children’s fair in Üsküdar. Year‑end performances and graduations were staged in Ankara’s Keçiören and Yunusemre districts, Bayburt, Aydın, Şehzadeler (Manisa) and Bilecik, while Konya organised a large folk‑dance competition for over a thousand middle‑schoolers. Manavgat and İzmir held inclusive year‑end festivals, and Selçuklu’s “Yaza Merhaba Karne Şenliği” attracted nearly 200 000 participants. Large circumcision ceremonies continued in Diyarbakır, Istanbul, Kartepe, Düzce, Üsküdar, Çorum, Muratpaşa (Antalya), Gümüşhane, Gaziantep, Narlıdere, Karaman, Kırıkkale, Söğüt and other districts, often featuring classic‑car convoys, TOGG electric vehicles, clowns, gifts of gold‑gram coins and bicycles, and emphasizing Ottoman vakıf traditions dating back centuries. Medical experts repeatedly advised that circumcisions be performed by experienced pediatric surgeons, preferably in the first 18 months or after age six, and warned against summer‑related wound‑care risks. Art exhibitions in Keçiören, Eskişehir and Manisa highlighted municipal support for youth creativity. Together these activities illustrate a broad, coordinated municipal strategy to preserve cultural heritage, promote inclusive education, celebrate children’s milestones, and provide health guidance throughout the summer. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-10: Kepez Municipality hosts traditional circumcision festival for 500 children Kepez Municipality hosted a traditional circumcision festival for 500 children at Dokumapark, providing medical services and awarding courage certificates signed by Mayor Mesut Kocagöz. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kepez-municipality-hosts-traditional-circumcision-festival-for-500-children ### 2026-08-06: Söğüt, Turkey revives 530‑year‑old vakıf circumcision tradition Söğüt, Turkey held a traditional circumcision ceremony reviving a 530‑year‑old Ottoman vakıf tradition, with local officials and citizens attending. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/st-turkey-revives-530yearold-vakf-circumcision-tradition ### 2026-07-23: Kırıkkale Organizes Circumcision Festival for 41 Children In Kırıkkale, Turkey, a festival for 41 circumcised boys featured classic‑car convoy, boat ride on Çeşnigir Canyon, performances, meals and bicycle gifts, overseen by local and national officials. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/krkkale-organizes-circumcision-festival-for-41-children ### 2026-07-19: Yozgat community ceremony circumcises 30 boys in traditional celebration In Yozgat, Turkey, Sivas Vakıflar organized a traditional ceremony where 30 boys were circumcised, featuring a Qur'an reading, city procession, and speeches by local officials. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yozgat-hosts-communal-circumcision-ceremony-for-30-boys ### 2026-07-18: Expert stresses proper age and specialist for safe circumcision Prof. Dr. Selami Sözübir advises circumcision be done by experienced pediatric surgeons, preferably within 18 months or after age six, citing health benefits and safety of classic surgery. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/expert-stresses-proper-age-and-specialist-for-safe-circumcision ### 2026-07-17: Dr. Akın Karagözoğlu Advises Parents on Summer Circumcision in Gaziantep In Gaziantep, Turkey, pediatric urologist Op. Dr. Akın Karagözoğlu warns parents that while summer holidays aid scheduling circumcisions, timing must consider child health, be done in a sterile hospital, and UV 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dr-akn-karagzolu-advises-parents-on-summer-circumcision-in-gaziantep ### 2026-07-14: Gördes Child Festival Attracts Hundreds of Families Manisa and Gördes municipalities staged a free child festival in Gördes, drawing hundreds of kids and families with games, shows and treats. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/grdes-hosts-large-childrens-festival-with-hundreds-attending ### 2026-07-11: Karaman, Turkey Celebrates 530‑Year‑Old Circumcision Festival for 21 Boys Karaman held a 530‑year‑old circumcision festival for 21 boys, featuring a mosque ceremony, city convoy, clown show and gifts of gold and bicycles, organized by Konya Vakıflar. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karaman-turkey-celebrates-530yearold-circumcision-festival-for-21-boys ### 2026-07-07: Konya, Turkey hosts charity circumcision ceremony for 30 children In Konya, a charity event following Sultan II Bayezid’s tradition saw 30 boys circumcised, visited Mevlana Museum, and received gold and bicycles, with officials presenting the gifts. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/konya-turkey-hosts-charity-circumcision-ceremony-for-30-children ### 2026-07-07: Turkish towns host municipal circumcision festivals for children Turkish municipalities in Körfez and Nilüfer organized/continued circumcision festivals for children, with Körfez celebrating 62 boys and Nilüfer opening applications for kids aged 2‑12. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-towns-host-municipal-circumcision-festivals-for-children ### 2026-07-06: Experts Advise Against Summer Circumcision for Young Children in Turkey Turkish doctors caution against circumcising boys aged 2‑6 in summer, favoring newborns, and stress strict after‑care to avoid complications. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/experts-advise-against-summer-circumcision-for-young-children-in-turkey ### 2026-07-04: Turkish municipalities host traditional circumcision festivals Turkish districts in Antalya, Gümüşhane, Gaziantep and Narlıdere organized free traditional circumcision festivals, including applications, convoy tours, gifts and cultural performances. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gaziantep-hosts-traditional-circumcision-ceremony-for-41-boys ### 2026-07-03: Turkish municipalities honor student achievements in Keskin, Bayburt and Antalya Turkish municipalities in Keskin, Bayburt and Antalya celebrated student successes with award ceremonies, a project fair and a kindergarten graduation. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/antalya-metro-holds-graduation-ceremony-for-150-kindergarten-students ### 2026-07-01: Turkish municipalities organize free circumcision festivals for children Üsküdar and Çorum in Turkey held free circumcision events for children, providing surgical services, clothing aid and gifts, aimed at supporting low‑income families. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-municipalities-organize-free-circumcision-festivals-for-children ### 2026-06-30: Turkish municipalities host free traditional circumcision festivals Kartepe and Düzce municipalities in Turkey held free traditional circumcision festivals, registering children for Kartepe's 16th edition and celebrating 62 boys in Düzce with parades, gifts and cultural shows. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-municipalities-host-free-traditional-circumcision-festivals ### 2026-06-27: Trabzon Mayor Announces Annual Family Festival After Popular Closing Event Trabzon Mayor Ahmet Metin Genç declared the Family Festival an annual event after a well‑attended closing with craft workshops and a retro concert, supporting Turkey’s family‑population initiative. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trabzon-mayor-announces-annual-family-festival-after-popular-closing-event ### 2026-06-27: Selçuklu Municipality Holds Massive End‑of‑Year Children’s Festival for 198,000 Attendees Selçuklu Municipality’s two‑day “Yaza Merhaba Karne Şenliği” drew over 198,000 participants, offering games, concerts and workshops to celebrate the school year’s end. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bordomavi-net-holds-traditional-childrens-festival-in-skdar-istanbul ### 2026-06-25: Turkish municipalities showcase children’s art in year‑end exhibitions Turkish municipalities in Ankara, Eskişehir and Manisa held year‑end exhibitions and performances, showcasing children's art, music, dance and vocational training projects. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eskiehir-and-manisa-host-yearend-performances-for-student-education-projects ### 2026-06-24: Turkish authorities host large children celebrations in Diyarbakır and Istanbul Turkish officials held major children's events: a 30‑boy circumcision ceremony in Diyarbakır and a governor‑led convoy celebration in Istanbul, featuring prayers, gifts and games. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-authorities-host-large-children-celebrations-in-diyarbakr-and-istanbul ### 2026-06-18: Turkish Schools Hold Graduation Ceremonies in Ankara and Nevşehir Preschool graduates in Keçiören and 8th‑grade graduates at Altınyıldız in Nevşehir marked their milestones with ceremonies, performances and, in Nevşehir, awards for top LGS scores. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-schools-hold-graduation-ceremonies-in-ankara-and-nevehir ### 2026-06-16: Turkey's Manavgat and İzmir Hold Year‑End Children’s Festivals Manavgat and İzmir municipalities hosted year‑end festivals for children, featuring performances, certificates and officials stressing inclusive, equal‑opportunity development. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-manavgat-and-izmir-hold-yearend-childrens-festivals ### 2026-06-14: Turkish municipalities host children's year‑end graduation performances Turkish municipal events in Şehzadeler and Bilecik featured year‑end performances and graduations for children, with local officials presenting diplomas and gifts, underscoring support for early‑childhood care. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-municipalities-host-childrens-yearend-graduation-performances ### 2026-06-12: Konya Folk Dance Festival to Host 1,015 Middle School Performers Konya’s Folk Dance Festival will see 1,015 middle‑school students from 32 schools compete in a finals event on 18 June 2026 at Selçuklu Congress Center. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/konya-folk-dance-festival-to-host-1015-middle-school-performers ### 2026-06-12: Turkish cities host year‑end school celebrations for children Bayburt and Aydın held local year‑end school festivities with recitations, games and concerts, celebrating children’s achievements and community involvement. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-cities-host-yearend-school-celebrations-for-children ### 2026-06-10: Ankara districts host colorful municipal year‑end performances for children Municipal year‑end shows in Ankara’s Keçiören and Yunusemre districts featured hundreds of children in music and dance, drawing parents and local officials. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ankara-districts-host-colorful-municipal-yearend-performances-for-children ### 2026-06-06: Üsküdar Mosque Hosts 400-Child Festival in Istanbul About 400 children attended a free festival at Üsküdar's Hacı Nuri Topbaş Mosque, featuring traditional shows and games; imam Bilal Aydemir praised the event as a joyful, community‑building experience. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/skdar-mosque-hosts-400-child-festival-in-istanbul ### 2026-06-05: Onikişubat Municipality and Diyarbakır host spring festivals for children Two Turkish spring festivals were held for children – one by Onikişubat Municipality featuring workshops and performances, and another at Diyarbakır’s Ceylan Karavil Park mall organized by a private college, un 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/onikiubat-municipality-and-diyarbakr-host-spring-festivals-for-children ### 2026-05-30: Turkey's Sakarya and Antalya host preschool and folk‑dance festivals for children Sakarya hosted preschool festivals promoting early education, while Antalya's Konyaaltı Primary School staged a folk‑dance celebration, both aimed at child development and cultural heritage. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-sakarya-and-antalya-host-preschool-and-folkdance-festivals-for-children --- Cite as: Turkish municipal festivals and youth events. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-childrens-education-festivals