It’s autumn in the Western hemisphere which means the days have gone shorter and for sure the weather’s getting cold. Does that mean it’s a no go for a Turkish getaway? Of course not! Instead of sulking about the weather, enjoy Turkish autumn (and fewer crowds) with these events that you might be interested in checking out:

Filmekimi September 29 – October 7

For the film lovers, Filmekimi is the perfect event Turkey will serve you for this season. It’s an annual film festival in Turkey which is hosted by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts. Top films from different film festivals from cities like Berlin, Cannes, Venice and Toronto will be screened not only in Istanbul but also in other Anatolian cities. Here's the Autumn Film Week schedule.

Photo Credit: Renat Buts

iDANS Istanbul October 3 – October 23

For performers, choreographers, and dance enthusiasts, iDANS Festival lets you experience dance beyond movement and technique. Organized by BiMERAS in Istanbul, iDANS Festival is an annual event wherein performers and choreographers show and share the message through dance in famous locations like Garaj Istanbul and university theaters. Other than performances, you can even attend discussions and workshops that offer lessons about performance and art journalism, contemporary dance techniques, and choreography methods.

Photo Credit: Atilla Kefeli

Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival October 6-12

The “Turkish Oscars”, as the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival is known across the country, opened its doors to cinema lovers almost half a century ago. Held annually since 1963, the festival initially promoted the development of Turkish cinema, but has since grown into an international event accommodating not only feature films, but also plastic arts from around the world. From the United States to Georgia, producers and directors gather here to compete in several sections including national and international films, documentaries, and shorts. Street art, discussion panels, and outdoor screening sessions accompany the festival in celebrating the world of visual arts. The venue of the festival is one more incentive to pack your backpack so find last minute holidays deals and head to Antalya in October, as you can follow the movies in ancient roman amphitheaters or the impressive Sabancı Glass Pyramid.

Photo Credit: Spreng Ben

Republic Day October 29

The fully-illuminated Turkish Republic Day is something that shouldn't be missed every autumn. Expect to see fireworks, the Bosphorus Bridge and Maiden Tower decorated with lights and laser shows from any spot in the city. If you’d want to have an even more unforgettable experience, you could rent a boat to watch the whole display or just enjoy the free bus rides only offered for this special day. This can also be a good time to explore Lycian Coast Turkey.

Photo Credit: Pi István Tóth

Istanbul Eurasia Marathon November 17

Do you want to run between Asia and Europe? If you wonder if that’s even possible well, it truly is! Starting at the 300 meter area distance to Bosphorus Bridge and finishing in front of the Sultanahmet Mosque in the Sultanahmet Square, you can run through World Heritage sites and experience the special atmosphere between two continents only in Turkey. Select the running distance you want to take which ranges from 5 kilometers up to 42 kilometers and on this route, you’ll see views of the Bosphorus and Istanbul, Golden Horn, Sea of Marmara, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Sultanhamet district and the ancient Hippodrome.

Photo Credit: LASZLO ILYES

ARTIST – Istanbul Art and Book Fair November 17 – 25

For the art and book fanatics out there, you aren't missed and you should attend the ARTIST. The ARTIST is an art fair where you could see works of art from different fields like photography, video art, sculpture, painting, drawing and ceramics. Other than that, there’s also a book fair featuring authors, publishing houses, non-governmental organizations and of course, their published works. This nine-day fusion of arts and literature will keep you and other creative and enthusiastic minds inspired and connected.

Planning a trip to Turkey soon? Which events do you plan to check out?

Main photo credit:Kıvanç Niş

Nicole is a freelance travel writer currently based in Istanbul. She enjoys watching foreign films and reading the poetry of Neruda and Rilke over a cup of Turkish tea. She is currently writing her first novel about her travels through Europe and Asia. 

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