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

In December, Istanbul gently transitions into winter, with cool temperatures ranging between 5°C and 12°C. The winter air brings a cozy atmosphere, and the city is adorned with festive decorations to welcome the end-of-year holidays. You’ll find many Christmas-themed decorations that are actually for New Year’s celebrations since, here, marketing dictates that Santa Claus delivers gifts on the evening of December 31. Throughout December, strolls around the city or the historic alleys of Sultanahmet are infused with a magical atmosphere, while markets and bazaars come alive with colorful stalls and seasonal specialties.

December 2024 in Istanbul is also rich in cultural and sports events. Concerts, art exhibitions, shows, and football matches make this festive month even more vibrant. You can enjoy the buzz of iconic spots like Istanbul Modern or the Pera Palace, while the cooler evenings invite you to cozy up in a café to savor a hot sahlep, mulled wine, or Turkish tea. It’s a great time to explore this fascinating city, balancing tradition and modernity. Here’s the full lineup of what’s happening in Istanbul as the year comes to a close:

WEATHER

In December, Istanbul embraces a more pronounced winter climate, with temperatures fluctuating between 5°C and 12°C. The days grow shorter, and a crisp atmosphere sets in, often accompanied by breezes from the Bosphorus. We recommend bringing a warm coat and an umbrella, as rain showers become more frequent and can be followed by clear skies.

Despite the cold, some days still offer bright light and a serene atmosphere, perfect for exploring the city. The rooftops of monuments and urban parks may occasionally be covered with a fine layer of morning frost, adding a unique charm to this season.

CONCERTS

2 December – Maya Perest at Dorock XL
Turkish artist and composer Maya Perest blends Anatolian sounds with world-music influences. After a creative, nomadic youth between Istanbul and Montpellier, she rose to fame with “Yok Bana Bu Cihanda.” Her recent releases, including “Karanfil Eker Misin” and “Beni Sever Miydin,” quickly entered the music charts.

5 December – Can Temiz at Blind
Known for the band MODEL, founded in 2005, Can Temiz has written numerous hits. After forming Seven Day Sleep in Los Angeles and later launching his EXNUN project in Istanbul, he has been pursuing a solo career since 2020, blending alternative pop with electronic elements. He is also part of the popular podcast “O Tarz Mı?”

5 December – Zakkum at Dorock XL
A pillar of Turkish alternative rock, Zakkum promises an unforgettable night featuring beloved hits such as “Anason” and “Ben Ne Yangınlar Gördüm.”

6 December – Derdo Disco (DJ Set)
Derdo Disco is known for high-energy electro-disco sets that mix nostalgic sounds with modern rhythms, creating an irresistible, festive atmosphere.

7 December – Evgeny Grinko at Bostancı Gösteri Merkezi
The world-renowned pianist Evgeny Grinko, whose compositions are streamed by millions, continues his close relationship with his Turkish audience.

10 December – Jay-Jay Johanson at Blind
The internationally acclaimed Swedish voice of melancholic pop and trip-hop returns to Istanbul. Jay-Jay Johanson will perform both his iconic tracks and new songs from his recently released 15th album Backstage. Expect timeless pieces such as “Believe in Us,”“So Tell the Girls I’m Back in Town,” and “On the Radio.”

10 December – Pinhani at IF Beşiktaş
One of Turkey’s most cherished alternative rock bands, Pinhani is known for its nostalgic melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Songs like “Beni Al” and “Dön Bak Dünyaya” continue to captivate a loyal audience.

12 December – Saint Levant at Volkswagen Arena
With a unique blend of R&B, hip-hop, and Arabic influences, Saint Levant has built a global fanbase with music in three languages. His projects From Gaza with Love and Love Letters explore heritage, identity, and deep emotional expression.

12 December – Flört at Kadıköy Sahne
Flört is a Turkish rock band known for its retro, energetic style, vintage melodies, and strong stage identity. Led by the charismatic Ozan Kotra, the band charms audiences with warm performances and a free-spirited sense of humor.

14 December – Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert Experience at Volkswagen Arena
A spectacular live symphonic experience bringing all 23 films of the MCU to life with the Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Christian Schumann. From the first adventures of Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor to the epic Avengers moments, the show highlights iconic themes by composers like Alan Silvestri, Danny Elfman, and Ludwig Göransson.

15 December – Paris! The Show at Zorlu PSM (Turkcell Stage)
Directly from France, this production pays tribute to post-war French classics and captures the timeless charm of Paris. Through live orchestration and an exceptional cast, the show follows Emily, a young American pursuing her dreams—and love—in the City of Light. Since 2015, it has been seen by over one million spectators in more than 60 countries, returning now in a version inspired by Emily in Paris.

16 December – Develer at Babylon Bomonti
Key figures of the underground scene—Develer, Danea Palaka, and DYLN—come together for the GLocals event at Babylon. Expect a vibrant journey through electronic textures, modern sounds, and rich rhythmic layers.

19 December – ZHU at Volkswagen Arena
Born in San Francisco, ZHU gained global recognition with “Faded” and has since shaped a unique universe blending dark house, pop, and synth-driven soundscapes. A regular at major festivals such as Coachella, he continues to expand his vision with albums like Generationwhy, Ringos Desert, and Dreamland 2021.

20 December – Peter Sarik Trio
A New Year classic, the Peter Sarik Trio offers a dynamic fusion of classical music and jazz. Under the direction of virtuoso Peter Sarik, the trio reinterprets the works of Béla Bartók with creativity and energy.

27 December – Fazıl Say at Volkswagen Arena
World-renowned pianist and composer Fazıl Say presents his traditional year-end concert. The evening features the Turkish premiere of his piano concerto Mother Earth—a powerful call to the climate crisis—performed with the Fazıl Say Festival Orchestra conducted by Nil Venditti. This will be followed by the Turkey premiere of Mozart and Mevlana, a major work uniting choir, soloists, and orchestra.

THEATER / SHOWS

23 December – Dracula at Zorlu PSM
Turkish TV star Okan Bayülgen reinvents the Dracula story, set 77 years after the original novel. Accompanied by a live orchestra and featuring rock icon Hayko Cepkin as Van Helsing, this bold adaptation awaits you at Zorlu PSM.

CHRISTMAS MARKET

Istanbul hosts several Christmas and end-of-year markets known for their festive atmosphere, concerts, gift stands, food stalls, and winter activities. Here are the main ones:

Bosphorus Winter at Galataport

Winner of an Eventex Awards 2025 prize in the “Seasonal Experience” category, Bosphorus Winter brings a vibrant New Year spirit with thematic DJ performances, illuminated installations, and outdoor activities along the waterfront. Enjoy the festive ambiance every Saturday and Sunday at 18:30 at Doğuş Square.

Wonder Village at KüçükÇiftlik Park

Held from 6–28 December, Wonder Village is Istanbul’s largest Christmas market. The event features gift stalls, an ice rink, carnival rides, bumper cars, children’s theatre, concerts, movie nights, shows, gourmet street food, and much more. Entrance is ticketed and can be purchased on-site or online.

Zorlu Center, one of Istanbul’s most renowned shopping malls, hosts a Christmas Festival throughout the month of December. Visitors can enjoy a full Christmas village, an amusement park, interactive games, and numerous gift stands. This festive market is ideal both for seasonal shopping and for immersing yourself in the joyful end-of-year atmosphere. Entry is free, including for the concerts.

EXHIBITIONS 

Until 14 December – Georgina Gratrix at Dirimart Pera

Dirimart Pera welcomes Mexican contemporary artist Georgina Gratrix for her solo exhibition Oyalantı Resimleri (Sunday Painting), on view from 6 November to 14 December. Inspired by the artist’s productive Sundays in the studio—and playfully referencing the term “Sunday painter”—the series offers a contemporary, ironic reinterpretation of tradition, creating an immersive environment for visitors.

Until 5 December – Jyll Bradley at Pi Artworks Istanbul

British artist Jyll Bradley presents Hot Frame at Pi Artworks Istanbul, open from 15 November to 6 December. The exhibition transports visitors into the artist’s room in the 1980s, exploring her discovery of queer identity. Through photography and sculpture, Bradley reflects on both philosophical and physical thresholds, offering an intimate immersion into her relationship with nature.

Until 14 December – Suzanne Lacy at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum

The Sakıp Sabancı Museum hosts the first exhibition in Turkey of American artist Suzanne Lacy, titled Birlikte/Togæther, on display until 14 December 2025. A pioneer of feminist art and socially engaged participatory performance, Lacy transforms themes such as solidarity, collective learning, identity, freedom, violence, economic hardship, and aging into powerful artistic expressions. Using video installations, the exhibition brings the emotional memory of her large-scale performances into the museum space, inviting visitors to reflect on the intersections of art, life, politics, aesthetics, and ethics.

Van Gogh: Tracing the Light – Immersive Exhibition

The exhibition Van Gogh: Işığın İzinde offers a multisensory journey through the luminous, colorful, and hopeful world of Vincent van Gogh. Presented at the Dijital Deneyim Merkezi, it reinterprets the artist’s life and works using artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, interactive projections, and physical installations—guiding visitors from Van Gogh’s early years to the expansive landscapes of Saint-Rémy. The experience highlights color, light, and emotional depth, allowing each visitor to explore their own inner light.

Practical information:
Open daily except Monday, from 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:45).
Address: Örnektepe Mah. İmrahor Cad. No: 7, Sütlüce/Beyoğlu, Istanbul.

SPORTS

3, 10, 17 & 24 December – Yoga at Sait Halim Paşa Yalı

Start your day with Vinyasa Yoga overlooking the stunning Bosphorus at the historic Sait Halim Paşa Mansion. Open to all levels, the classes are led every Wednesday morning by Betül Eroğlu from YogaŞala, held in the Harem Garden Hall. Participants are kindly asked to bring their own mats.

11 December – CFC | Core Fighting Championship

MMA enthusiasts will gather on 11 December at Volkswagen Arena for a spectacular event. As Turkey’s largest MMA organization, CoreFC brings together top Turkish fighters and international athletes from the world’s most prestigious arenas. Expect intense performances, powerful face-offs, and unforgettable adrenaline inside the cage.

Feel free to contact us with any questions!