Art Exhibitions, Theatres, Concert Halls and Festivals

Istanbul offers a wide variety of annual cultural festivals that match any other major European city. The government subsidise the theatre, opera and ballet making tickets affordable for everyone and there is always something happening at various venues every night in the city. Most of the international music festivals take place in the summer, drawing musicians and entertainers from all over the world.

Art Exhibitions

There are several galleries in the city and the Ataturk Cultural Centre hosts temporary exhibitions as do some high tech galleries (found attached to banks, as they are sponsored by them) and mostly on Istiklal Street in Beyoglu Taksim .

The International Istanbul Biennial, established in 1987 is one of the most important events for artists and takes place in October during odd numbered years.

Exhibitions can also be found at the Topkapi Palace and often in other old and historic buildings in Istanbul.

Film

Most of the modern cinema complexes are within the large shopping malls in the city and the best old style cinemas are in Beyoglu. There are hundreds of cinemas all over Istanbul and most show Hollywood style movies in the English language with Turkish subtitles.
The International Film Festival takes place in Beyoglu from mid April to May.

Theatres & Concert Halls 

Classical music, ballet and opera feature regularly at Taksim’s Ataturk Cultural Centre and at other venues in the city.
The International Music Festival in June-July features the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra along with jazz, classical and world music concerts.
There are more than 30 theatres in Istanbul and the State Theatre Company occasionally puts on plays in English at the Ataturk Cultural Centre.
The Royal Shakespeare Company and other foreign theatre groups perform at the International Theatre Festival that takes place in May. All information is available from the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts www.istfest.org.