New Year in Istanbul: New Year's Eve Customs & Tips

New Year in Istanbul – New Year's Eve on the Bosphorus

New Year's Eve in Istanbul is an experience: fireworks explode over the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia, hundreds of thousands celebrate in the streets of Beyoğlu, and families gather around the New Year's table. What many people do not know: the turn of the year (Yılbaşı) has its own customs in Türkiye.

A secular celebration with a fir tree

Christmas is not celebrated in predominantly Muslim Türkiye – instead, New Year's Eve takes on much of what belongs to Christmas in Germany. Homes and shopping centres decorate a “Yılbaşı ağacı” (New Year's tree), there are fairy lights, and children look forward to presents from “Noel Baba”.

By the way: the historical model for Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, was Bishop of Myra in the 4th century – today's Demre on the Turkish south coast. His church can still be visited today.

Customs for luck in the new year

Milli Piyango: The big state New Year's lottery is drawn on New Year's Eve. Almost every family has a ticket.
Pomegranate: A pomegranate is smashed on the doorstep. The more seeds that burst out, the more luck and prosperity the new year will bring.
Wearing red: Red underwear is said to bring luck – in December you see it in every shop window.
Eating together: The celebration is a big dinner, often with turkey (hindi), meze and desserts.
Tavla and Tombala: Backgammon and the family bingo “Tombala” are part of many New Year's Eve evenings.

Where to celebrate in Istanbul?

On the Bosphorus: Ortaköy, Bebek and the waterfront promenades offer the most beautiful views of the fireworks.
Taksim and İstiklal Avenue: It is very crowded here; there are security checks and barriers.
On the water: A New Year's Eve on a boat with a view of both continents is a special experience. Places are booked up early.
In a restaurant: Many restaurants offer a set New Year's Eve menu. Without a reservation, hardly anything is possible on New Year's Eve.

Practical tips

Would you like to experience the turn of the year completely privately on the Bosphorus? On request, we organise a private boat trip and a city tour in the first days of the new year.

1 January is a public holiday. Government offices and banks are closed; museums sometimes have changed opening hours.
At the end of December it is cool and often rainy in Istanbul; occasionally it snows. Pack warm clothing.
Some public transport runs longer on New Year's Eve; taxis are hard to get after midnight.
Book hotels, restaurants and boats in good time – Istanbul is in great demand at the turn of the year.

Are you planning a trip to Istanbul?

Discover the city with a state-licensed tour guide – private, in German, without shopping stops.

→ View private city tours in Istanbul