Holidays in Turkey for 2022

In Turkey many national holidays are celebrated and some of them exuberantly. Days such as Youth and Sports Day and Republic Day are, whether partly or not, about Atatürk. The holiday of 15 July has recently been added, due to the failed coup attempt in 2016. This commemorates people who have died that day and the democracy of Turkey.

In addition to national holidays, a number of Islamic holidays are also celebrated in Turkey. The best known of these are the Sugar Festival and the Festival of Sacrifice, although smaller-scale holidays are also celebrated. The dates of religious holidays vary in Turkey, as they are celebrated according to the lunar calendar.

Although the authorities are closed on national and religious holidays, shops often remain open, with or without adjusted opening hours. If a public holiday falls on Thursday, Friday is often also a closing day.

Public Holidays in Turkey in 2022

• April 23 : On this day in 1923, the National Parliament of the Republic of Turkey met for the first time. Later, this day was declared the Day of the Child, Çocuk Bayramı.
• May 2-4: The Sugar Fest or Şeker Bayramı is also celebrated in Turkey in addition to other countries. The fasting month of Ramadan comes to an end, children go door-to-door for sweets and people visit friends and family. The dates of this festival change annually due to the lunar calendar.
• May 19: Since 1938, it has been celebrated on this date that Atatürk landed in Samsun in 1919. This is done by holding Youth and Sports Day, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı. Sports festivities are organized on this day.
• July 9-12: The Feast of Sacrifice or Kurban Bayramı is another Islamic festival celebrated on different dates each year. It is a festival that is celebrated in all countries with many Muslim inhabitants and it commemorates the day that Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son. Some Muslims undertake a pilgrimage to Mecca during this festival. An animal is sacrificed or money is given to charity instead. Family and friends visit each other and wish each other a blessed feast.
• July 15: This is the youngest public holiday in Turkey, created because of a failed coup d'état on July 15, 2016. It commemorates people who died during this coup attempt.
• August 30: On Victory Day, Zafer bayramı, the victory of the battle of Dumlupinar is celebrated. From August 26 to August 30 in 1922, the Turkish army fought here against the Greek army, which was followed by a victory on August 30.
• October 29: Republic Day or Cumhuriyet Bayramı is the most important national holiday in Turkey. The Republic of Turkey was founded on this day in 1923.
• November 10: On the Day of Remembrance of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Atatürk Anma Günü, everyone is silent for a minute at 9:05 am. On November 10, 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk died of cirrhosis of the liver.