Your trip to Türkiye can also be an incredible cultural discovery if you are aware of the public holidays. Türkiye celebrates various religious holidays and national holidays, and joining them can actually maximize your experience in the country. These cultural events breathe new life into the cities. Families gather for meals and celebrations and popular destinations get busier than usual.

For travelers, some dates add more fun and some off-season dates offer more affordable stays. At Susesi, we welcome you to come and enjoy a peaceful holiday break. For that, let's walk you through all the major official holidays for 2026, the peak travel periods, the crowds to expect and amazing travel tips.

Official Public Holidays in Türkiye 2026

Here we have the chronological list of the official public holidays in Türkiye in 2026 and their importance:

Let’s begin with New Year’s Day on 1 January. It's a national holiday that marks the beginning of a new year. People love to relax with their families and have a peaceful time.

Ramadan Feast, also known as Ramazan Bayramı or Eid al-Fitr, is on 19 March (Thursday, half-day) Arife, and 20–22 March (Friday to Sunday) full holiday. It's one of the major religious holidays that lasts 3.5 days, and people prefer to stay with their families and enjoy hearty meals.

After Ramadan Feast, National Sovereignty and Children’s Day comes on 23 April. It is a special national holiday that honors the founding democracy of the country and celebrates children, and it is followed by colorful parades and cultural events.

On 1 May, the Labor and Solidarity Day is commemorated. Workers are praised on this national holiday. In 2026, it falls on a Friday and becomes a long weekend.

Then, there is Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day on 19 May. It is a national holiday that marks Atatürk’s landing in Samsun and the independence of the country, and it's also a great day for sports and youth events.

Sacrifice Feast, also known as Kurban Bayramı or Eid al-Adha, is on 26 May half-day celebrated as Arife, and 27–30 May as a full holiday. It is a religious holiday that goes on for 4.5 days, and during this time people sacrifice livestock and share it with loved ones.

Another important holiday is Democracy and National Unity Day, on 15 July. With ceremonies, gatherings, and patriotism, this day honors the strength of the country's democracy, and it also recognizes those who stood against the coup attempt in 2016.

Victory Day is on 30 August. It is a national holiday celebrated in Antalya festivals with parades and national pride, and it honors the victory of Türkiye at the Battle of Dumlupinar.

Republic Day vacation begins on 28 October as Eve and half-day holiday, and continues 29 October (Thursday) full holiday. Being one of the biggest national holidays, it honors the founding of the Turkish Republic with fireworks and events, and people celebrate across the country.

Peak Travel Periods: When Türkiye Gets Busy

This is the list of holiday breaks that travelers should keep in mind for holiday planning:

*Ramadan Feast (20–22 March) is a nice 3–3.5 day break that is looked forward to by many locals, and this is the time when they travel, visit families, or enjoy a retreat. Susesi also has a higher occupancy this time.

*Sacrifice Feast (27–30 May) is a 5-days break, and it's one of the longest holiday periods of the year. Because many people further extend their leave this time, making it a peak period.

*Republic Day (28–29 October) is a patriotic holiday, and it is often combined with the weekend, so the bridge days around it are when most people are planning their travel, and hotels tend to fill up quickly.

Also note that these holidays often overlap with school holidays, which adds to the already peak demand. You should expect lively crowds, more-than-normal prices and of course, fully booked hotels.

Best Times to Visit Türkiye outside Holidays

If you prefer quiet periods, affordable hotels and experiencing more authentic cultural events, we suggest you consider skipping these peak holiday break windows:

*Early March or early April: Come after the Ramadan Feast
*Mid-May: It's more relaxed before the Sacrifice Feast
*Late June through August: Once the national holidays are over
*Early October: Some days before Republic Day week

Also, try to arrange your travel for the midweek instead of the weekends so you can enjoy better at Susesi's spa treatments, dining setups and beaches in calm.

Quick Overview: Türkiye Public Holidays 2026

Let's have a quick list of all the date-wise upcoming holidays of 2026 to plan ahead better for your summer vacation or winter break:
*1 January (Thursday): New Year’s Day
*19–22 March (Thursday noon–Sunday): Ramadan Feast & Arife
*23 April (Thursday): National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
*1 May (Friday): Labor and Solidarity Day
*19 May (Tuesday): Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
*26–30 May (Tuesday noon–Saturday): Sacrifice Feast & Arife
*15 July (Wednesday): Democracy and National Unity Day
*30 August (Sunday): Victory Day
*28–29 October (Wednesday noon–Thursday): Republic Day & Eve

Traveling around Türkiye during the public holidays can be a rich cultural experience in itself but your time of travel also influences your budget and overall experiences. However, regardless of whether you visit during a big religious holiday or mid-month for a peaceful retreat, Susesi will not let you down!