Marmaris Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Marmaris, Mugla Province, Turkey)

Marmaris hosts many international events and festivals, often on a nautical theme. There are a number of big yacht races, including to nearby Icmeler and to Rhodes, along with a fine display of traditional Turkish gulet boats in October. Both the Marmaris Yacht Festival in April and the Maritime and Spring Festival in May are the main attractions.

There are many other events to see, such as the International Tango Festival in mid-September, which features competitors from around the world. Other things to do include Children's Day in April and regular concerts held in the amphitheatre in July.

Marmaris Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• New Year's Day (Yilbasi) - January 1st, popular all over Turkey including in Marmaris, with all-night partying from New Year's Eve carrying over into the next day

February

• Festival of Sugar (Seker Bayrami), usually held in February to mark the end of Ramadan. Lasting around three days, this event sees locals exchange gifts and enjoy much feasting
• Kurban Bayrami - a religious holiday remembering the Binding of Isaac, when Abraham sacrificed a ram on Mount Moriah, instead of his son. Expect lots of traditional Turkish food, including a good choice of lamb dishes

March

• There are no significant annual events taking place in Marmaris during the month of March

April

• Marmaris Yacht Festival - this long-running yacht race has clubs around the world participating in a race between the city and the nearby resort of Icmeler to the south. Expect lots of side attractions for all ages
• Presidential Cycling tour of Turkey, established around 50 years ago, with cyclists racing between Izmir and Antalya
• National Children's Festival (National Sovereignty and Children's Day) - April 23rd, established by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, this fun event is very much aimed at kids, with all sorts of games and activities, along with parades and sweets
• Maritime Festival - late April, this celebration of the sea is a major event in Marmaris, running over an entire week and featuring boats and ships galore

May

• Labour and Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanisma Gunu) - May 1st, a national Turkish holiday
• Marmaris Yacht Charter Show - another popular seafaring event taking place at the harbour every year to mark the start of the charter season, with wine tasting and plenty of eating
• Marmaris Maritime and Spring Festival - the main event of the year at the harbour, with many shows and contests, including yacht races, concerts, street parades and partying

June

• Marmaris to Rhodes Race - this annual summer sailing race changes date year on year and is always a popular event for yachties

July

• Marmaris Concerts - taking place both in July and August. These are colourful gatherings with a variety of musical events based at the amphitheatre, featuring artists from all over the world. The belly dancing is particularly intriguing

August

• Victory Day (Zafer Bayrami) - August 30th, a national holiday commemorating the end of the Turkish Independence War in 1922. This day is dedicated to the country's armed forces

September

• Marmaris International Tango Festival - in mid-September, has lovers of the tango competing. Often includes famous names, both dancers and musicians
• Ramadan - the month of fasting in the Muslim world sees locals refrain from eating and drinking during the daytime
• Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayrami) - October 29th, a bank holiday celebrating this historic day in 1923, when Turkey's government was declared a republic

October

• International Gulet Festival - early October, a two-day event in the Marmaris, Bodrum and Bozburun areas, with a range of gulets (twin-masted wooden yachts from the south-west region) on display
• International Marmaris Yacht Races - late October / early November, a series of yacht races towards the end of the tourist season and into November, with teams competing from around Europe

November

• Anniversary of the Death of Ataturk - November 10th, the whole country observes a minute of silence in the morning, commemorating the death of its founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881 to 1938)

December

• Eid ul-Adha - a four-day event marking the end of Ramadan two months before, with well-dressed Muslims and lots of eating