WEATHER, WHAT TO SEE, WHAT TO DO IN OCTOBER 2025 IN ISTANBUL?

In October, Istanbul begins to take on its autumnal colors, with a calming atmosphere and milder weather. Temperatures range between 13°C and 21°C, perfect for strolling through the historic streets or relaxing in parks or along the Bosphorus. The days are still sunny, ideal for enjoying outdoor activities, while cooler evenings allow for discovering the city’s many restaurants and cultural activities. A Bosphorus cruise during this time is also a memorable experience.

October 2024 in Istanbul is also a culturally rich month, with many concerts, festivals, and exhibitions on offer. Art, music, and film lovers will find plenty to enjoy, and with fewer tourists around, it’s the perfect time to visit iconic monuments in peace, with more intimate tours

WEATHER

In October, Istanbul enjoys a very pleasant climate, with temperatures varying between 13°C and 21°C, making it an ideal time to stroll and explore the city’s outdoor attractions. Some showers are expected, so it’s a good idea to bring a raincoat or a light jacket. Despite this, there are many sunny days, perfect for discovering the city on foot or enjoying a cruise on the Bosphorus in a soft, luminous autumn ambiance.

Following a large-scale conservation project, the Private Chambers of Sultan Ahmed I and Sultan Murad III, situated in the Harem, have reopened their doors to the public. Offering a striking glimpse into Ottoman court life, these rooms never fail to captivate visitors. As enduring witnesses to the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire, Topkapı Palace continues to withstand the passage of time and shape Istanbul’s skyline. Every year, countless local and international visitors embark on a true journey into the past, experiencing the unique atmosphere of this historic monument. Thanks to the meticulous work carried out by the Presidency of National Palaces, the palace’s architecture—resilient against the challenges of centuries—unfolds its splendor more vividly each day.

Combining magnificence, administrative organization, and refinement, Topkapı Palace was not only a center of power but also a place of daily life. Among its most intimate and remarkable spaces was the imperial Harem. At its heart, standing side by side, are the Private Chambers of Ahmed I and Murad III, now carefully restored with full respect for their original details and reopened to visitors.

CONCERTS

October 1 – Joel Lyssarides & Georgios Prokopiou at Arter
As part of the 35th Akbank Jazz Festival, and thanks to the valuable collaboration with ARTER, Swedish pianist of Greek Cypriot origin Joel Lyssarides and bouzouki master Georgios Prokopiou will perform on October 1 at ARTER. Their musical journey, which began in 2022, led to a first concert in 2023 and then to the album Arcs & Rivers (ACT, 2024), recorded in Berlin. A true sonic sketchbook, this record unveils a natural and ambitious cultural fusion.

October 3 – Mammal Hands at Zorlu Center
The British trio Mammal Hands (Nick Smart, Jesse Barrett, Jordan Smart) will take the stage at %100 Studio in Istanbul. Blending jazz, folk, ambient, and electronic sounds, their mesmerizing music promises a timeless journey at the Zorlu Center.

October 3 – From Bach to Âşık Veysel at Surp Asdvadzadzin Cathedral
Featuring Murat Berk, Melih Kara, Julya Krepak, and Münif Akalın, Çellistanbul invites audiences on a musical journey through a vast repertoire: from classical masters such as Bach, Schubert, Fauré, Vivaldi, and Ravel, to Âşık Veysel in an arrangement by Hasan Tura.
Entitled From Bach to Âşık Veysel, this exceptional concert will be held at the Surp Asdvadzadzin Cathedral in Beyoğlu. Not to be missed!

October 3 – Septicflesh at Zorlu PSM
%100 Metal presents: Greek symphonic death metal giant Septicflesh will deliver an unforgettable concert on Friday, October 3, 2025, on the Turkcell Stage at Zorlu PSM, accompanied by an orchestra. For the very first time in their history in Istanbul with a full orchestra, Septicflesh promises a unique evening: not just a concert, but a truly epic musical experience.

October 5 – Emir Ersoy at Swissôtel The Bosphorus Chalet Garden
The Latin fire lights up Istanbul! Pianist and composer Emir Ersoy, master of Cuban rhythms, is set to get the audience dancing. With a rich repertoire ranging from Latin jazz to salsa, timba to funk, The Cuban Beat will take over the Jazz & Chill stage at Swissôtel The Bosphorus Chalet Garden on the evening of October 5.

October 10 – The Flabbies at JJ Pub Kanyon
Sarp Dağlar Şahin and Oğuz Kont, who have been collaborating musically for several years, formed The Flabbies in 2015. An instrumental duo without vocals or guitar, they released several singles before their EP Back in Town in September 2017. With a lively pub atmosphere and instrumental grooves, they will take the stage at JJ Pub in Kanyon Shopping Mall.

October 10 – Emre Aydın at IF Beşiktaş
One of the most promising artists of the Turkish music scene, Emre Aydın will captivate the audience with his energy and unique world in this exceptional concert.

October 10 – Dolapdere Big Gang at Babylon
Renowned for their high-energy performances blending Turkish instruments with universal melodies, Dolapdere Big Gang has represented Turkey on nearly 300 international stages. With the participation of vocalist Gülçin Ergül, the band offers a repertoire ranging from jazz and pop to classical works and Anatolian tunes. Get ready for an unforgettable musical evening on October 10 at Babylon!

October 10 – BaBa ZuLa at Kadıköy Sahne
Icons of the Turkish psychedelic scene since 1996, BaBa ZuLa blends Anatolian rock, 1960s psychedelia, and electronic/dub elements. Emerging from the band ZeN (composer of the soundtrack for the film Tabutta Rövaşata), they have collaborated with numerous international artists and performed across six continents. The group’s core includes Osman Murat Ertel (electro instruments), Mehmet Levent Akman (electronic percussion), and Ümit Adakale (percussion), joined by Veys Çolak on bass and Esma Ertel on vocals for this exceptional concert.

October 15 – Ezginin Günlüğü at Babylon Istanbul
A nostalgic evening
Formed in Istanbul in 1982, Ezginin Günlüğü invites audiences on a musical journey blending their classics such as Oyun, Ebruli, and Eksik Bir Şey with new creations. Their rich repertoire and warm stage presence bring together multiple generations for an unforgettable night.

October 16 – Ceren Gündoğdu
Singer-songwriter and pianist Ceren Gündoğdu moves gracefully between genres with heartfelt lyrics and memorable melodies. Following the success of her songs Kapı and Beni Affet, and her lead roles in musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof and Urinetown, she will present her second album Işık Olur Gözlerin in this special concert.

October 21 – Bill Laurance & Michael League
The poetic duo of jazz
Presented by +1 as part of Pozitif Vibrations, Bill Laurance & Michael League will bring their unique artistry to the stage. Longtime members of the jazz collective Snarky Puppy, they have crafted a profound sound world with their collaborative albums Where You Wish You Were (2023) and Keeping Company (2024).
Through an intimate musical dialogue blending acoustic piano, oud, and fretless bass, they create a journey from jazz to world music—combining the melodic elegance of the West with the richness of Eastern sounds.

October 25 – Balkan Wedding Party at Babylon
An explosive night
Get ready to dance to progressive wedding music mixing punk, jazz, and electronic beats! Since 2006, Kolektif İstanbul has fused Anatolian and Balkan traditions with jazz and funk, releasing five albums including Kısmet (2021). Refusing to be confined to a single genre, the group has performed at international festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival and Flow Festival.
Line-up: Richard Laniepce (saxophone), Aslı Doğan (vocals), Batuhan Baraç (drums), Ertan Şahin (souzaphone), Tamer Karaoğlu (keyboards), Talat Karaoğlu (clarinet).

FESTIVALS

Istanbul International Jazz Festival (September 27 – October 12)

The Akbank Jazz Festival, one of Turkey’s most prestigious and long-standing festivals, was founded in Istanbul in 1991. Since its inception, it has hosted global jazz legends such as Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp, and Christian McBride, while also providing a platform for promising young talents. Over the years, the festival has expanded to include workshops, panels, film screenings, and social responsibility projects, making it a multidisciplinary event that has become a cornerstone of Turkey’s cultural scene.

In addition to classical jazz, the festival has embraced elements of electronic music and world music, attracting a wider audience. The 2025 edition promises to be an exciting one, featuring both international and local artists. This year, jazz legends and emerging musicians will share the stage, with performances scheduled at iconic venues. Beyond the concerts, jam sessions, talks, and workshops will further explore jazz in all its dimensions. For the full program, click here!

Oktober Festival Istanbul – October 10–11–12

+1 Presents: Oktober in Istanbul – October 10, 11, and 12 at KüçükÇiftlik Park

KüçükÇiftlik Park, Istanbul’s ultimate festival destination, once again brings the German tradition to life with +1 Presents: Oktober in Istanbul on October 10, 11, and 12! With colorful decorations, costumes, cultural touches, and food stands, the festival promises a lively blend of music and playful experiences. For three days, the festival spirit will reach new heights with concerts and DJ sets by popular artists such as Büyük Ev Ablukada, Pinhani, Yüksek Sadakat, Yeni Türkü, Kargo, and Selin.

Now in its third edition, +1 Presents: Oktober in Istanbul offers a full-on experience: vibrant decorations, costumes, themed food and beverage zones, non-stop music, competitions, and games—all accompanied by concerts and DJ sets.

Music Line-up:

• October 10: Büyük Ev Ablukada, Selin, Mojave
• October 11: Pinhani, Kargo (Emir Yargın: Klas Pop project), Emir Yargın & Belki Biraz
• October 12: Yüksek Sadakat, Yeni Türkü, Soft Analog, JÖN

Opening Hours: Friday, October 10 at 5 PM; Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12 at 2 PM.

EXHIBITIONS

18th Istanbul Biennial 2025

Bülent Eczacıbaşı, Chairman of IKSV, emphasized that the Istanbul Biennial, held since 1987, plays a vital role in the city’s cultural prominence by offering a platform for dialogue, learning, and accessibility to contemporary art for all audiences.

Ömer M. Koç, Chairman of Koç Holding, the Biennial’s main sponsor until 2036, stated that supporting culture is a fundamental social responsibility. In an uncertain world, he added, the Biennial makes a major contribution to the international reputation of Istanbul and Turkey.

Artists and Venues
The first phase of the 18th Istanbul Biennial explores the themes of self-preservation and futurity. Curated by Christine Tohmé, the works of 47 international artists are presented across eight landmark venues along the Beyoğlu–Karaköy axis. Participants were selected through an in-depth research process, including studio visits, meetings, and an open call conducted between October and December 2024.

Exhibitions unfold at the Galata Greek School, Zihni Han, Muradiye Han, Gallery 77, Cone Factory, Meclis-i Mebusan 35, the garden of the former French orphanage, and Elhamra Han.

Public Program
The opening week features a rich program of performances, screenings, and DJ sets. Highlights include:

• Selma Selman, presenting Motherboards at Istanbul Modern, a performance created with her family that stages the extraction of gold from electronic waste—both a reflection on value and a tribute to family labor.
• Alex Baczyński-Jenkins, with Untitled (Holding Horizon) at Arter’s Karbon space, a durational dance exploring queer intimacy and collective memory, spanning raves, funerals, and uprisings.
• Ahmad Ghossein, performing So your heart aches, huh? or The Pit, an intimate monologue on survival amid the Lebanese crisis, interweaving hormones and the search for joy.
• The film program features works moving between speculative history, geopolitical borders, and autofiction, with films by Maxime Hourani, Samar Al Summary, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, and Suneil Sanzgiri.

This first part of the Biennial creates a dialogue between visual arts, performance, and cinema, opening a collective space for reflection on the future, memory, and forms of resistance.

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James Cameron
Beyoğlu Cinema Museum – September 27, 2025 – March 31, 2026

As part of the Türkiye Culture Route Festival, Istanbul welcomes acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron. The exhibition The Art of James Cameron presents, for the first time, more than 300 original works from the director’s personal archives.

The collection, ranging from his childhood sketches to preparatory drawings for Terminator, Aliens, Titanic, and Avatar, includes drawings, costumes, film props, photographs, and 3D technologies—offering a unique insight into Cameron’s creative journey.

The exhibition is organized into six thematic sections:

• Dreaming with Open Eyes
• Human – Machine
• Exploring the Unknown
• Titanic: Voyage Through Time
• Creatures: Humans and Aliens
• Liberated Worlds

Yapı Kredi Gallery Beyoğlu – Fulya Çetin & İlhan Sayın – Ensemble – May 9, 2025 to January 4, 2026

The second edition of the Ensemble exhibition series highlights two Istanbul-based artists of the same generation, active since the 1990s: Fulya Çetin with Daydreams and İlhan Sayın with Night of the Deer. The exhibition will be on view at Yapı Kredi Gallery from May 9, 2025, to January 4, 2026.

Designed as a platform for dialogue between artists with shared approaches, Ensemble this year explores the complex relationship between humanity, nature, the city, and one another. Inspired by Turgut Uyar’s poem Night of the Deer, İlhan Sayın’s work reflects on the resilience of nature, the passage of time, and architecture, while Fulya Çetin emphasizes the bond between women and nature in their struggle for existence.

Eva Nielsen – Insula – Institut Français d’Istanbul

From September 16 to November 8, 2025, the Institut Français of Turkey, in collaboration with The Pill, will present the solo exhibition Insula by French-Danish artist Eva Nielsen. Nominated for the 2025 Marcel Duchamp Prize, Nielsen has established herself as one of Europe’s most compelling contemporary voices, creating at the intersection of painting, photography, and installation.

A graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts de Paris, Nielsen has developed over the past fifteen years a hybrid visual language that continuously pushes the boundaries of artistic expression. Insula invites audiences to reflect on the interplay of memory, space, and perception through layered surfaces where the artist seamlessly merges diverse techniques.