Istanbul takes on a completely different spirit in December. On one side, brightly lit streets, on the other, warm events that make you forget the cold weather. From theater to concerts, exhibitions to children's activities, the city offers a brand new experience every day. If you're wondering "What to do in Istanbul in December?", "What concerts are on this month?", or "Where can I buy theater tickets?", you're about to step into a jam-packed cultural and artistic calendar awaiting you in the last month of the year.
In this December 2025 Istanbul Event Guide, you'll find both the city's most popular events and alternative options that appeal to a variety of interests. We've carefully considered every detail, using friendly and practical language to help you easily choose the event you're looking for. If you're looking to fully experience the New Year's spirit, connect with your favorite artists, or finally catch a play you've been longing for, December is the perfect time for you!
If you're ready, let's take a look at all the cultural and artistic delights Istanbul has to offer this month. Whether you're looking for a concert, a play, or an exhibition, here's a guide full of options to help you quickly purchase tickets for your events.
December 2025 Istanbul Concerts
December in Istanbul is warming up not only with the New Year's lights but also with the energy of the stages. If you're looking to see your favorite artists live, discover new sounds, or spend a delightful evening with friends during the last month of the year, December 2025 is the perfect time. Istanbul's grand concert halls, historic venues, and warm, alternative venues are preparing to host unforgettable nights. Now, let's take a look at the concerts you shouldn't miss this month.Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ In Concert
- December 1 – Volkswagen Arena
90s-2000s Turkish Pop Night with DJ Ali Taş
- January 4, 19 - Dream Coffee Aqua Florya
Retrobus
- December 3 - Dorock XL Kadıköy
Dorock XL Kadıköy
- December 3 - Istanbul IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş
ELIOTT TORDO
- December 4 - Istanbul Ataturk Cultural Center
Peter Bence Pianosphere Tour
- December 4 – Turkcell Stage
Emir Can İğrek
- December 5 – JJ Arena Ataşehir
Irem Derici
- December 5 – Jolly Joker Vadistanbul
- December 27 – Jolly Joker Atakent Theme
Squad
- December 6 – JJ Arena Ataşehir
Star Tilbe
- December 6, 27 – Jolly Joker Vadistanbul
Evgeny Grinko
- December 6 – Bahçeşehir Cultural Center
- December 7 – Bostancı Performance Center
Berkay
- December 6 - Jolly Joker Coastal Istanbul
Candan Erçetin 30th Anniversary Concert Tickets
- December 6 – Bostancı Performance Center
Melek Mosso
- December 6 – Jolly Joker Atakent Theme
Yasar
- December 10 – Jolly Joker Vadistanbul
- December 13 – Jolly Joker Eagle
100% Music Presents: Jay-Jay Johanson
- December 10 – Blind Istanbul
Pinhani
- December 10 – IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş
Şevval Sam
- December 11 – Zorlu PSM Turkcell Stage
Cem Adrian
- December 12 – Jolly Joker Eagle
Halil Sezai
- December 12 – Dorock XL Kadıköy
Masked Ball Istanbul
- December 13 – Rock 'n Rolla Live
Hakan Altun
- December 13 – Jolly Joker Atakent Theme
- December 20 – Jolly Joker Vadistanbul
Anıl Şallıel and Friends: Aydilge & M Lisa
- December 13 - Istanbul Ataturk Cultural Center
Bengü
- December 13 – Jolly Joker Coastal Istanbul
Marvel Studios' Infinity Saga Concert Experience
- December 14 – Volkswagen Arena
100% Metal Presents: Eluveitie
- December 17 - Istanbul Zorlu PSM
Emre Fel
- December 19 – Jolly Joker Atakent Theme
Burn Presents: Satori Fall Tour
- December 19, 20 – Frankhan
Gökhan Türkmen
- December 19 – Jolly Joker Coastal Istanbul
- December 26 - Jolly Joker Atakent Theme
+1 Presents: Positive Vibrations – ZHU
- December 19 – Volkswagen Arena
Barcelona Guitar Trio & Dance
- December 20 - Istanbul Ataturk Cultural Center
Askin Nur Yengi
- December 20 - Dream Coffee Aqua Florya
Melike Sahin
- December 20 – Bostancı Performance Center
Home Alone In Concert
- December 21 – Zorlu PSM Turkcell Stage
Ebru Gündeş “We Sing Together”
- December 23, 24 – Volkswagen Arena
100% Metal Presents: Pickpocket
- December 26 - IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş
December 2025 Istanbul Theaters
December in Istanbul takes on a magical atmosphere not only with the Christmas lights adorning the streets but also with the stories unfolding on the stage. If you'd like to spend cold winter evenings in a warm hall, witnessing performances by master actors, December 2025 offers a veritable theatrical feast.The city's established theaters, modern stages, and alternative performance spaces await theatergoers with a wide selection of classics, contemporary plays, comedies, and dramas. If you're ready to discover what awaits you on Istanbul's stages this month, let's take a look at December's top theatrical performances.
Gambler
- December 3, 26 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
- December 3, 7 – Lütfi Kırdar Anatolian Auditorium
- December 18 – Bostancı Performance Center
- December 3 - Beylikdüzü Atatürk Culture and Art Center
- December 16 – Area Kadıköy
- December 20 – Kartal Bülent Ecevit Cultural Center
- December 26 – HOP Stage
Mr. Seyfi
- December 3 – Mall of Istanbul Moi Stage
- December 4 – Kozzy Gönül Ülkü Gazanfer Özcan Stage
- December 25 – Trump Stage
- December 26 – Stage Dragos
Don Quixote
- December 3, 14, 26 – Zorlu PSM Turkcell Stage
- December 16 – Türk Telekom Opera Hall
A Father Hamlet
- December 3 – Beşiktaş Süleyman Seba Cultural Center
Dear Shameless Death Dirmit
- December 4 – Akıngüç Auditorium and Art Center
East Demirkol
- December 4 – Beylikdüzü Atatürk Culture and Art Center
- December 7 – İnal Aydınoğlu KM Şener Şen Stage
- December 9 – Beşiktaş Süleyman Seba Cultural Center
Özgür Turhan – Brand New
- December 4 – Watergarden Performance Center Duru Theater
- December 17 – Torium Stage
- December 21 – Fashion Stage
- December 27 – Atlas 1948
A Turkish Musical
- December 5 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
Red Fish Submarine Musical
- December 7 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
The Imperial Russian Ballet Company / The Nutcracker
·December 13, 14 – Istanbul Congress Center
Your Love Story Has Fallen
- December 13 – Kadıköy Education Stage
- December 16 – Leyla Gencer Opera and Art Center
DON QUIXOTE vs. SANCHO PANZA
- December 7, 25 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
Hamlet
- December 8, 30 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
Notes from the Underground
- December 9, 23 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
Yusuf from Kuyucak
- December 10, 24 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
DIKŞIN: Great Chance
- December 14 – Fashion Stage
Walnut Man Musical
- December 14, 31 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
I kiss your eyes, Ayşe
- December 14, 22 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
SUR UN FIL - Claire and Antho
- December 14 - Istanbul Ataturk Cultural Center
Carmen
- December 18 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
The Man Whose Life Is a Story
- December 19 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
Joyful Buildings
- December 20 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
A Tiny Little Bird
- December 21 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
Science Show with Huhu
- December 21 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
Wipe It All Over
- December 21 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
Kuromi & Friends
- December 27 - Hilltown Spectacular Stage
December 2025 Istanbul Exhibitions
December in Istanbul is ablaze not only with the New Year's Eve displays in shopping malls but also with innovative exhibitions at art venues spread across the city. December 2025 offers a veritable visual feast for art enthusiasts in Istanbul. The city's museums, galleries, and independent art spaces have prepared a packed program, encompassing everything from painting and sculpture to digital art and photography.If you're wondering what you can discover on Istanbul's art trail this month, how about taking a look at the featured exhibitions of December 2025?
Whisper of Things
- SANATORIUM / Beyoğlu
- October 10, 2025 – January 10, 2026
Pussies and Places
- PİLEVNELİ / Beyoğlu
- November 12 – December 31, 2025
Gaps and Ghosts
- Zilberman Gallery / Beyoğlu
- December 11, 2025 – January 31, 2026
Hah!
- Arter / Beyoglu
- Can be visited until February 1, 2026
'70-
- Galerist / Beyoğlu
- November 22, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Requiem For Shadows
- Loft Art / Besiktas
- December 12 – December 28, 2025
Where I Heal
- RS Art Space
- November 29 – December 14, 2025
The First Time, the Last Place, Here is Human
- HOUSE, BABY
- December 2nd – January 3rd
Tide
- .artSümer, Piyalepaşa
- December 13, 2025 – January 23
Exercises on the Spine
- Macka Art Gallery
- November 4 – December 13
Unplugged
- Gallery Black and White, Ankara
- November 21 – January 3
Human Landscapes
- Merkur Art Gallery, Piyalepasa
- September 3 - November 1
Abstraction as Method: Anatomy of a Practice
- Belm'art Space, Ankara
- November 22nd – December 28th
This Is Nowhere, My Homeland.
- x-ist, Gumussuyu
- November 20 - December 20
Intraface
- Martch Art Project, Beyoğlu
- October 31-December 21
EKAV-ARTIST New Generation 10: RE:FORM
- Ekavart Gallery, Süzer Plaza, Beyoğlu
- November 18 – December 18
Corpus Prohibitum – The Forbidden Body
- CAM Gallery, Çukurcuma
- November 15 – December 31
Hayati Misman Retrospective
- Kibele Art Gallery, Levent
- October 20 – January 19
Transforming Earth
- Borusan Contemporary, Sariyer
- September 20 – August 16
Common Emotions & A Verse Written with Earth, Fire, Water and Air..
- Pera Museum, Beyoğlu
- September 16 – January 18
REWIND / Slovenia
- CerModern, Ankara
- November 6 – December 28
Side by side
- Türkiye İş Bankası Painting and Sculpture Museum, Beyoğlu
- September 20 - July 10
- Arter, Dolapdere
- September 11-
What inspires the artists for their ideas?
- SANATORIUM, Beyoğlu
- November 7-December 20
Encounter
- Decollage Art Space, Kadıköy
- November 18-December 28
Hayati Misman Retrospective
- Kibele Art Gallery, Levent
- October 20 – January 19
Variable Range
- Simbart Projects, Çukurcuma
- November 14 – December 27
December 2025 Istanbul Festivals
December in Istanbul is captivating not only with the city's lights but also with the festive fervor that fills the streets, squares, and stages. As the cold weather sets in, a series of festivals, from music and dance to street entertainment, New Year's Eve vibes, and alternative venues, transform Istanbul into a festival filled with year-end spirit and art.This December, you'll find both local and international events at festival venues across Istanbul. If you're curious about what the festival calendar has to offer this month, let's take a look at the top Istanbul festivals of December 2025.
5th International Haliç Goldenhorn Film Festival
- December 10th – December 12th
- Istanbul Aydin University
13th International Silk Road Film Festival
- December 12 – December 18
- Beyoğlu Atlas Cinema
4th New Year's Fairytale Children's Festival
- December 13 – December 14
- Zorlu PSM
- Paid
22nd International Istanbul Culinary Days Festival
- December 17 – December 20
- Bahçelievler Congress Center
10th Novel Heroes Istanbul Literature Festival
- December 18th – December 20th
- Marmara Education Village, Kartal Fairy Tale Museum, Maltepe Yaşar Kemal Cultural Center, Penguen Bookstore
6th Esenler Film Festival
- December 19 – December 23
- Esenler Kadir Topbaş Cultural Center, AKM Yeşilçam Cinema, Atlas Cinema
Istanbul Wonder Village 2025
- December 5th – December 28th
- LifePark Istanbul
KüçükÇiftlik Park's New Year's Town
- December 6 – December 28
- KüçükÇiftlik Park
Pendik Green Park | Christmas Market
- December 27 – December 28
- The Green Park Pendik Hotel
Christmas Festival
- December 31 – January 1
- Balaban Village Grove Picnic Area Arnavutköy