WEATHER, WHAT TO SEE, WHAT TO DO IN JANUARY 2026 IN ISTANBUL?
In January, Istanbul is fully immersed in winter, with cool temperatures and often humid air. Occasional rains and misty days add a mysterious atmosphere to the city. The early days of the year are still marked by the excitement of the holidays, with luminous decorations extending the festive spirit of the New Year.
This is an ideal time to enjoy museums, galleries, and indoor events, or to explore the historic alleys of the old city under a winter sky. In January, Istanbul offers a special charm to those who wish to discover it in a calm and subdued ambiance. Here are some activities to consider at the beginning of the year in Istanbul:
WEATHER
In January, Istanbul fully embraces its winter climate, with temperatures ranging between 3°C and 8°C. The days are short and often cool, sometimes accompanied by icy winds from the Bosphorus. A warm coat, scarf, and umbrella are essential for enjoying the city during this season, as showers are frequent and can occasionally turn into light snowflakes.
Despite the cold, clear days offer a soft winter light, perfect for exploring iconic sites like Sultanahmet or strolling along the Bosphorus. With a bit of luck, you might encounter some snow, adding a poetic touch to the city. It’s an ideal time to discover Istanbul in a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere.
CONCERTS
7 January – Ayşe Sicimoğlu at Zorlu PSM
With a rich and eclectic repertoire ranging from classical music to French chansons, as well as major hits from the 1980s and 1990s, the Ayşe Sicimoğlu Quartet invites audiences on a true journey through time.
Ayşe Sicimoğlu discovered opera by chance while dubbing an animated film. Supported by her father, Ayhan Sicimoğlu, she continued her training in New York at the Mannes School of Music, then in Paris at Université Paris-Sorbonne IV (Art History) and at the École Normale de Musique Alfred Cortot, where she refined her vocal technique. After completing her master’s degree at Istanbul Technical University (MIAM), she chose to fully dedicate herself to the stage.
The quartet—Asrın Can Akalın (piano), Taner Karakaya (guitar) and Ufuk Çağlar Akman (double bass)—offers an elegant and timeless musical experience.
9 January – Cem Yıldız at Zorlu PSM
Ben Uçarım Gökler Uçar brings together Anatolia’s musical and literary tradition with a contemporary approach blending electronic music and improvisation, led by multi-instrumentalist Cem Yıldız.
Through bağlama, live vocals and electronic textures, the performance offers a modern and immersive reinterpretation of Anatolia’s oral heritage.
9 January – TECHNOBALLET at Zorlu PSM
WORLD PREMIERE
Technoballet fuses classical ballet with electronic music in an interdisciplinary performance.
A bold encounter where boundaries dissolve and a new artistic movement emerges.
10 January – GIUSEPPE OTTAVIANI at Zorlu PSM
A respected and iconic figure of the international trance scene, Giuseppe Ottaviani stands out for his studio creativity and exceptional live energy.
Through his Ottagon Live performances, Horizons sets and virtuoso live approach, he positions himself as far more than a DJ: a true composer and performer of trance.
Driven by emotional melodies and hypnotic rhythms, Giuseppe Ottaviani redefines modern trance while preserving its soul.
10 January – İrem Arslan at Asa Khai Jazz Club
Jazz singer and composer İrem Arslan builds a musical bridge between cultures by blending jazz, Turkish modal music and choral traditions into a distinctive artistic language.
Trained in jazz at Bahçeşehir University and later at ITU MIAM with a focus on vocal expression, she completed a master’s degree in jazz at the Parma Conservatory in 2024.
Based between Istanbul and Barcelona, she leads an international career combining live performances, workshops and vocal coaching.
Her debut album Ahenk, to be released in 2026, gives voice to the untold stories of Mediterranean women.
On 10 January, she will perform at Asa Khai with a powerful and deeply expressive vocal presence.
15 January – Electro Sessions at Blind
ANATOLIAN RHYTHMIC FUSION
Electro Sessions is a musical collective placing electronic music at the heart of improvised live performances, enriched by percussion, sonic textures and melodic instruments rooted in Anatolian traditions.
On stage, Bora Çifterler’s electronic textures interact in real time with kanun, guitars, winds, bağlama, duduk and violin, while the powerful grooves of classical percussion guide the rhythmic flow.
An organic encounter between modernity and musical heritage.
20 January – THE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN BALLET COMPANY – Chopin & Carmen
Lütfi Kırdar – Anadolu Auditorium
Founded in 1994 by former Bolshoi soloist Gediminas Taranda, The Imperial Russian Ballet Company presents, for the first time in Turkey in a single evening, two major ballet masterpieces: Chopin and Carmen, accompanied by a symphony orchestra.
Between Chopin’s romantic poetry and the dramatic force of Carmen, this production brings together artistic excellence, classical heritage and intense stage presence for an exceptional experience.
(Additional dates: 21, 23, 24 January)
21 January – Cuban Classics – Emir Ersoy at Zorlu PSM
Pianist Emir Ersoy, known for his popular projects and international collaborations within the group QUARTERA alongside Grammy Award–winning musicians, presents his Cuban Classics project with Volkan Öktem, Eylem Pelit, Aleiksi Contreras and Sercan Kerpiççiler.
The group revisits iconic Cuban and Latin American melodies—salsa, cha-cha, son and rumba—blending personal styles with timeless classics to deliver a warm and refined musical experience.
24 January – Lalalar at Zorlu PSM
Formed by Ali Güçlü Şimşek and Barlas Tan Özemek, Lalalar stands out as one of the most distinctive projects on the Turkish psychedelic scene.
The duo blends the arabesque spirit of the 1970s with a futuristic aesthetic, combining retro cinematic basslines, electronic beats, sharp guitars and Anatolian influences.
With two acclaimed albums and high-energy live performances, Lalalar continues to make its mark on both the local and international scenes.
25 January – Lubomyr Melnyk at Paribu Art
A pioneer of Continuous Piano Music, Lubomyr Melnyk is one of the most singular figures in contemporary piano.
Through extraordinary virtuosity and a unique technique, he transforms the acoustic piano into a continuous, dense and immersive sound flow, at times evoking electronic textures.
On 25 January at Paribu Art, Melnyk invites the audience into a hypnotic and deeply meditative musical experience.
29 January – Redd Symphonic at Zorlu PSM
An iconic band of the Turkish rock scene, Redd presents its most ambitious project: Redd Symphonic.
Doğan Duru, Güneş Duru and Berke Özgümüş take the stage alongside the Istanbul Symphonic Project Orchestra, conducted by Orhan Şallıel.
Redd’s most iconic songs, reimagined in symphonic arrangements, create a powerful encounter between rock energy and classical depth.
31 January – Duygu Soylu at Zorlu PSM
Trained at Turkey’s most prestigious institutions, singer and musician Duygu Soylu has established herself on the music scene with a powerful voice and remarkable versatility.
With A Tribute to Onno Tunç, she pays homage to one of the most iconic composers of Turkish music, revisiting his repertoire with elegance and depth through a sensitive and contemporary interpretation.
THEATER / SHOW
14 January – The Nutcracker at AKM
An timeless masterpiece by Tchaikovsky and Petipa, inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s tale and adapted by Alexandre Dumas, The Nutcracker tells the dreamlike journey of young Clara, drawn into a magical world following a New Year’s gift.
A festive ballet classic, it continues to captivate audiences during the 2024–2025 season with its enchanting music and fairy-tale atmosphere.
2 acts · 120 minutes
10 January – Twilight at Zorlu PSM
Step into the iconic world of Twilight through a unique cine-concert experience. During the screening of the original film on the big screen, a live ensemble of 12 musicians (rock band and orchestra) performs the soundtrack in real time, giving new dimension to the legendary story of Bella and Edward.
Illuminated by hundreds of candles, the evening offers an elegant, immersive and emotional atmosphere.
Duration: 2h20, including intermission
8, 10, 17, 21, 31 January – La Traviata at AKM : Immerse yourself in Verdi’s world with La Traviata, one of the most famous masterpieces of the operatic repertoire. An essential masterpiece by Giuseppe Verdi, La Traviata, inspired by La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas fils, remains one of the most frequently performed and emotionally powerful operas in the lyric repertoire.
Through the tragic fate of Violetta Valéry, the work explores universal themes of love, sacrifice and social conventions.
In this 2025–2026 season production, the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, directed by Recep Ayyılmaz, invites audiences to an timeless musical and human experience where emotion and beauty converge.
30 January – Hogwarts Sympho Show at Zorlu PSM
This winter, PRIME Orchestra presents the spectacular Hogwarts Sympho Show as part of its world tour.
An immersive symphonic concert bringing the magical universe of Harry Potter to life through its most iconic music—going beyond the legendary compositions of John Williams to include numerous musical surprises.
A grand symphonic experience not to be missed.
FAIR
27–31 January – Istanbul Furniture Fair
The largest furniture fair in the region, the Istanbul Furniture Fair brings together more than 3,000 local and international brands across 250,000 m² of exhibition space at two venues in Istanbul.
Welcoming over 150,000 professional visitors from 150 countries, the fair offers a unique opportunity to explore the latest design trends and establish connections within the global furniture industry.
10–18 January 2026 – 6th Caravan, Tiny House & Outdoor Fair
Organized by Tüyap Fuarcılık Group in collaboration with the Caravan Manufacturers and Suppliers Association (KAİTED) and with the support of the National Camping and Caravan Federation (UKKF), the 6th Istanbul Caravan, Equipment, Tiny House, Outdoor and Camping Fair brings together enthusiasts of nature, mobility and outdoor living.
A major event showcasing the latest innovations in the sector, it stands as a key meeting point for both professionals and the general public.
6–9 January – International Carpet and Flooring Expo
The International Carpet & Flooring Expo brings together professionals from the carpet and flooring industries around the latest innovations and trends.
A true exchange platform, the fair encourages partnerships, business development and access to new international opportunities.
EXHIBITIONS
Istanbul Modern – Until 31 December 2026
Renzo Piano: The Spirit of Place | Permanent Exhibition
The exhibition Renzo Piano: The Spirit of Place focuses on the architecture of the new Istanbul Modern building, designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop. It explores the design process inspired by the light and atmosphere of the Bosphorus, as well as Renzo Piano’s architectural vision, which connects space, environment and intangible values.
Presented with free access on the museum’s ground floor, the exhibition also traces Renzo Piano’s major cultural projects worldwide and the evolution of Istanbul Modern since its foundation.
Curator: Ümit Mesci
Pilevneli Dolapdere – 15 January – 15 February 2026
The Grand Excess – Lal Batman
Lal Batman’s solo exhibition The Grand Excess welcomes visitors at PİLEVNELİ Dolapdere. The artist juxtaposes the glossy, consumer-driven aesthetics of social media with the elegance of the past, offering a multidimensional critique of contemporary superficiality through visual references drawn from different eras and geographies.
Created with ink and acrylic on sculpted paper and enriched with natural stones, glass and pearls, the works provide an intense visual and tactile experience. A custom-designed fragrance by MG Gülçiçek and a musical composition by Berk İçli add a multisensory dimension to the exhibition.
Arter – Until 9 August 2026
Hayalet Kuartet – Hera Büyüktaşcıyan
Curated by Nilüfer Şaşmazer, Hayalet Kuartet brings together new works by Hera Büyüktaşcıyan alongside pieces from her early period drawn from Arter’s collection. Through a multi-layered narrative, the exhibition explores themes of invisibility, memory, cyclicality and space.
Informed by the personal and urban memories of the Kurtuluş and Tarlabaşı neighborhoods, the scenography unfolds across four sections oscillating between past, present, future and limbo. Architecture, nature, sound and surfaces form a sensory universe where the elements—fire, air, water and earth—resonate, inviting visitors to move between presence and absence, remembrance and erasure.
Pilot Galeri – Until 17 January 2026
Serra Tansel – Gökyüzleri
Gökyüzleri brings together Serra Tansel’s new works and a site-specific installation created especially for the space. The exhibition approaches the sky as a site of personal and collective memory, moving beyond traditional romantic representations.
Rather than a passive object of observation, the sky is presented as an interactive entity, marked by contemporary fractures and transformations.
Dirimart Dolapdere – Until 18 January 2026
Tony Cragg – Sculpture
Dirimart presents Sculpture, Tony Cragg’s first solo exhibition at the gallery. Featuring works in bronze, wood, aluminum and steel, the exhibition brings together recent sculptures alongside a selection of new productions developed in parallel with his major series.
Long engaged with industrial materials, Tony Cragg highlights the continuity between his past research and current practice, inviting visitors to reconsider the organic and formal boundaries of contemporary sculpture.
SPORTS
7 January – EuroLeague Basketball at Zorlu Center | Vestel Amfi
As part of the EuroLeague group stage, Anadolu Efes faces Paris Basketball at the Vestel Amfi of Zorlu Center. A major sporting event bringing together two ambitious teams for an evening of top-level basketball defined by intensity, strategy and EuroLeague emotion.
CINEMA
The Institut Français unveils its new cinema program, combining landmark works of film heritage with contemporary titles recognized at major international festivals. This demanding and eclectic selection highlights the richness of French cinema through singular authorial perspectives and powerful storytelling.
Program highlights include:
La Reine Margot by Patrice Chéreau; Àma Gloria by Marie Amachoukeli; Le Roman de Jim by Arnaud and Jean-Marie Larrieu; Alpha by Julia Ducournau; the animated classic Les Maîtres du temps by René Laloux; Vie privée by Rebecca Zlotowski starring Jodie Foster; and L’Étranger by François Ozon, adapted from Albert Camus’ novel.
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