Turkish Holiday Calendar 2023
An overview of the Republic of Turkey's national and religious public holidays, with explanations.
Travel Tip: During public holidays, especially the multi-day religious feasts, expect banks, government offices, and many businesses to be closed. Major tourist sites usually remain open, but domestic travel can be extremely busy.
Ramazan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr): Also known as the "Sugar Feast," this three-day public holiday marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. It's a time for family visits and sweet treats.
Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Adha): The "Feast of the Sacrifice" is a four-day public holiday and the most important religious festival in Turkey. It commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son.
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01 JanNew Year's Day Sunday Celebrates the beginning of the new calendar year.
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23 AprNational Sovereignty and Children's Day Sunday Commemorates the foundation of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and is dedicated to children.
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01 MayLabour and Solidarity Day Monday International Workers' Day.
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19 MayCommemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day Friday Marks Atatürk's landing at Samsun, which began the Turkish War of Independence.
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15 JulDemocracy and National Unity Day Saturday Commemorates the foiling of the 2016 coup d'état attempt.
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30 AugVictory Day Wednesday Celebrates the victory in the decisive battle of the War of Independence at Dumlupınar.
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29 OctRepublic Day Sunday Turkey's most important national holiday, celebrating the proclamation of the Republic in 1923.
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10 NovAtatürk's Death Anniversary Friday A national day of mourning. At 9:05 AM, sirens sound and life stops for a moment of silence.