festivals in Adana

Adana is the fourth-largest city and one of the most renowned gastronomic destinations in Türkiye. Adana is a city of festivals: there are many traditional festivals spread across the whole year that attract tens of thousands of people to the city.

The International Adana Golden Boll Film Festival is one of the most prestigious and long-established film festivals in Türkiye and has been bringing cinema enthusiasts, great directors, and actors together since 1969. The festival makes important contributions to the cultural and artistic life of Adana and, at the same time, supports the development of Turkish cinema.

The Sabancı International Adana Theatre Festival, which opens its curtains annually in March, is eagerly awaited and followed with interest by the theatre lovers and especially the people of Adana. The festival is organized jointly by the Turkish State Theatres, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, and the Sabancı Foundation. During the festival, many theater companies from Türkiye and abroad take the stage.

Organized by the State Conservatory of Çukurova University, the International Rhapsody Adana Piano Festival and Competition takes place in March every year. While many respected names take part in the jury of the competition, the masterclasses held within the scope of the festival are attended by conservatory students and young talents who have received distinctions in international piano competitions. 

Organized by the Çukurova Municipality, the International Çukurova Comics Festival brings together world-renowned cartoonists from abroad and Türkiye. Participants can attend panels and workshops on drawing caricature works.

Among other events that keep the arts & culture scene of Adana alive are the Adana Comedy Plays Festival (Adana Komedi Oyunları Festivali), which has presented many successful plays and takes place on various stages in Adana, and the Pozantı Belemedik Nature and Photography Festival, which brings nature and photography enthusiasts together. The Aladağ Nature and Art Festival is organized by the Governorship of Adana and Aladağ Municipality in order to raise awareness of the protection of nature and to make nature-related issues visible through art. In addition to short film and photography competitions, short film and documentary screenings, photo exhibitions, talks, and workshops await visitors.

The Çukurova Rock Festival, which takes place in April every year, is popular among rock music fans and especially university students.

The Municipality Theaters’ Meeting (Şehir Tiyatroları Buluşması), organized by the Adana Municipality Theater (Adana Büyüksehir Belediyesi Şehir Tiyatrosu), stages various theatrical plays by Turkish and foreign theater groups and is followed with great interest by theatergoers every year.

Adana – A Gastronomic Paradise

Adana is one of the most important gastronomy centers in Türkiye and attracts many enthusiasts throughout the year. Adana’s favorable climate is paired with the magnificent local dishes and iconic Adana delicacies such as Adana kebab. It is not surprising that many gastronomy festivals and events are held in Adana.

This Mediterranean city, which is considered a paradise for citrus fruits, celebrates the coming of spring each year with the Orange Blossom Carnival, the first and only carnival in Türkiye. The carnival paints the streets of Adana orange in April and has become one of the most iconic events in the city. Many gastronomy-related activities and fun events await attendees such as the Orange Flavors Competition.

The Adana and Çukurova regions, which are the first names to come to mind when watermelon is mentioned in Türkiye, celebrate this delicious fruit with the Adana Watermelon Festival.

Other delicious festivals in Adana are the International Adana Festival of Taste (Adana Lezzet Festivali), the Culture Art and Cherry Festival (Kültür Sanat ve Kiraz Festivali), the Karakışlakçı Honey and Strawberry Festival (Karakışlakçı Bal ve Çilek Festivali), and the Sarıçam Pomegranate Festival (Sarıçam Nar Festivali).

As a city of festivals, many local and international traditional festivals in the region welcome visitors yearly. Some of these festivals are the International Çukurova Yörük Türkmen and Hıdırellez Festival, the Traditional Adana Bosnian Culture and Pita Festival (Geleneksel Adana Boşnak Kültür ve Pita Festivali), the Adana Traditional Handicrafts Festival (Adana Geleneksel El Sanatları Festivali), the İsmet Atlı Karakucak Wrestling Competitions, the Traditional Kızıldağ Karakucak Wrestling Competitions, the Sarıçam Wrestling Festival, and the International Feke Karacaoğlan Bards Festival (Uluslararası Feke Karacaoğlan Aşıklar Bayramı Şenliği).

Sporting Events

Adana promises many events and festivals for nature and adrenaline sports enthusiasts. Festivals and competitions take place across a range of different sports such as the Yumurtalık Kiteboard Festival, the Toroslar Aladağ Bicycle Festival, and the Aviation and Paragliding Festival.

Although Adana is known for its mild climate, the city also hosts various winter events during the winter season. The Kızıldağ Snow Festival and the Aladağ Snowman Festival rank at the top of these events.