This week Istanbul comes alive with a vibrant mix of arts and culture; from festivals and theatre to concerts and art exhibitions, a broad programme awaits art lovers across the city.

Bosphorus Film Festival

The 13th Bosphorus Film Festival screens a selection of outstanding films at Atlas 1984 Cinema, AKM Yeşilçam Cinema and Cinema Pink. Highlights include Palestine 36, The Voice of Hind Rajab, Bağ Bozumu, With Hasan in Gaza, Yalla Parkour, Gölün Şarkısı, Day and Night, Kanto, Broken Years, Beyond the Rails and Empire of the Rabbits.

Atatürk Cultural Centre (AKM)

  • “Swan Lake” ballet on 12 and 13 November
  • “Gilgamesh” opera on 15 November
  • Family show “The Legendary Treasure: Little Steps in Search of Treasure” on 9 November
  • Dance show “Troy” on 16 November
  • Dušan Kovačević’s play “The Professional” on 15 and 16 November in the AKM theatre hall

Istanbul City Theatres (İBB Şehir Tiyatroları)

Plays this week include “Merhaba Çocuk”, “Fosforlu Cevriye”, “Ben Medea Değilim”, “Masal”, “Gök Kubbe”, “Sevdalı Bulut”, “Sivrisinekler”, “Bir Ziyaret”, “Benim Küçük Yıldızım”, “Maviydi Bisikletim”, “Yaftalı Tabut” and “Fındıkkıran”, staged until 16 November at venues including Harbiye, Üsküdar, Kağıthane, Müze Gazhane and Ümraniye.

29th Istanbul Theatre Festival

  • “Açık Mülk” (Open House), 13–15 November at IMÇ
  • “Istanbul Mon Amour: Pera’nın Karanlık Odası”, 15 November in Beyoğlu
  • “Oyun İçinde Oyun” (A Play Within a Play) at Alan Kadıköy

Concerts at AKM

  • “Atatürk Week” and “Zeybekler” concert on 12 November
  • “Ozanların Sesi: Edip Akbayram” on 13 November
  • “Ahmet Abimin Şarkıları: Anılar, İzler ve Hasret” on 16 November
  • “Anadolu’nun Senfonisi” performed by Mete Taş on 15 November
  • Istanbul Opera and Ballet Children’s Choir performing “Atatürk’e Minnet” on 15 and 16 November

Elsewhere in the city

  • Salon IKSV hosts a joint performance by Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore
  • Harbiye Açıkhava: Sibel Can (tomorrow), Cem Adrian (12 November), Özcan Deniz (13 November)
  • Zorlu PSM: Batu Şallıel jazz concert (tomorrow) and MIX Festival on 14 and 15 November
  • Oscar-winning musician Glen Hansard plays his first concert in Türkiye at Turkcell Platinum Stage (tomorrow)
  • Duman and Gripin perform at Jolly Joker Arena and IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş (15 November)

Art exhibitions

  • “Dark World” at Salt Galata until 14 December
  • “90’lardan Beri Halıdayız” at Salt Beyoğlu until 1 March 2026
  • Photo exhibition “Hikayenin Geri Kalanı” by Mehmet Aslan and Muhammed Muheisen at Rami Library until 15 November
  • Gülseren Südor’s “Timeless & Spaceless” at Galeri Diani until 29 November
  • At Pera Museum, “Shared Emotions” from the British Council collection until 18 January 2026
  • Group exhibition by Yalçın Gökçebağ, Gözde Atlas, Mümin Candaş and Günsu Saraçoğlu at Evrim Art Gallery until 19 November

Special programmes for children

During the mid-term holiday, AKM hosts various workshops:

  • Türk Telekom children’s workshop: What is AI? Learning with Zeki the robot, 9–16 November
  • From painting to sculpture: creating my character, and skills workshop: the story of the colourful bird, on 13 November