Istanbul events this week include the Republic Day holiday, which starts at 13:00 on Wednesday 28 October and runs all day Thursday 29 October. Three Süper Lig matches are played in Istanbul this weekend, and several free concerts, talks and exhibitions are listed by the city’s culture programme.
Updated: 26 October 2026, covering Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November. Sources are linked next to each item. Programmes and kick-off times can change, so confirm before you go.
Republic Day holiday, 28–29 October
Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) falls on Thursday 29 October. Turkish press reports that the holiday begins at 13:00 on Wednesday 28 October and continues on Thursday, so Friday 30 October is a normal working day. Expect closed offices and shops, busier public spaces and possible road closures for ceremonies.
We could not find the city’s official 2026 celebration programme when we checked. Our Republic Day guide has the practical details.
Football in Istanbul this weekend
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) fixture page lists these Trendyol Süper Lig round-10 matches with an Istanbul home side:
| Date and time | Match | Home side |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 31 October, 19:00 | Fenerbahçe – Göztepe | Fenerbahçe |
| Sunday 1 November, 16:00 | İstanbul Başakşehir – Samsunspor | İstanbul Başakşehir |
| Sunday 1 November, 19:00 | Kasımpaşa – Beşiktaş | Kasımpaşa |
Galatasaray plays away at Konyaspor on Friday 30 October (20:00), so there is no Galatasaray home match in Istanbul this week. For match-day planning, see our visiting fan planning guide.
Free concerts, talks and exhibitions
The Kültür İstanbul event calendar lists these free events this week. They are mainly in Turkish, so check the language and registration on the listing.
| When | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 28 October, 19:00 | Terasta Caz, a free jazz concert (the last in a series that began on 7 October) | İstanbul Kitapçısı, Kadıköy branch |
| Friday 30 October, 19:00 | Sesli Karşılaşmalar, a free talk | Müze Gazhane |
| Saturday 31 October, 13:00 | Sanat Rotası, a free exhibition listing | Borusan Contemporary |
Museums with fixed hours this week
- Pera Museum: free on Friday 30 October from 18:00 to 22:00. See our Pera Museum guide.
- Istanbul Modern: open until 20:00 on Friday. See our Istanbul Modern guide.
- Istanbul Bosphorus Museum: its first exhibition is free and runs until 11 April 2027. See our Bosphorus Museum guide.
- Palaces: Dolmabahçe is closed on Mondays and Yıldız on Wednesdays. See our palace comparison.
More ideas
For a longer list of free things to do, read our free events in Istanbul guide. If you need to move around on match days or holidays, our Istanbul transport guide explains the tram, metro and ferry options.
Frequently asked questions
Is 30 October 2026 a public holiday in Turkey?
No. The holiday covers the afternoon of 28 October and 29 October, so Friday 30 October is a normal working day.
Are there Galatasaray home matches in Istanbul this week?
No. Galatasaray plays away at Konyaspor on 30 October.
Where can I find free events in Istanbul?
The Kültür İstanbul calendar lists free concerts, talks and exhibitions, and our free events guide collects more ideas.
