The sights, sounds and flavours of Türkiye will fill the heart of Washington DC this autumn when the city’s 24th annual Turkish Festival returns on Sunday 18 October 2026.
Organised by the American Turkish Association of Washington, DC (ATA-DC), the free event will transform Pennsylvania Avenue NW into a celebration of Turkish culture, with live music, traditional dancing, food, arts and crafts, and activities for children. Running from 11am to 6.30pm, it promises a lively day out for all ages.
Headlining this year’s festival is Turkish rock star Ogün Sanlısoy, whose acoustic performance is scheduled for 3.20pm. Sanlısoy rose to prominence as the vocalist on Pentagram’s Trail Blazer album after joining the pioneering Turkish metal band in 1992. He subsequently established a solo career, before reuniting with Pentagram for their 2017 acoustic album and continuing to perform both independently and with the group.
The wider stage programme spans contemporary music and folk traditions. Özulu Trio will perform at 1.25pm, followed by much-loved Turkish folk songs from Türküler Sevdamız USA at 2.40pm. Özgür Akkuş and Band take to the stage at 5.30pm, with a closing dance party led by DJ Seyhan at 6.20pm.
Dance performances will showcase traditions including Black Sea horon, zeybek and halay, with contributions from Rhythm and Dance Children & Youth Folk Dance Ensemble and Kardelen Turkish Dance Ensemble. Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Crimean Turkish and Central Asian performances also feature, while opportunities to join in will help keep festivalgoers on their feet.
Away from the stage, the Turkish Bazaar offers a chance to browse copperware, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and gifts, including the familiar blue nazar boncuğu evil-eye beads.
Food stalls will serve Turkish dishes and sweets, while visitors can enjoy coffee and tea, try a fortune reading, explore cultural exhibits or take younger family members to the Kids’ Tent for games, arts and crafts.
The festival has grown considerably since its first outing in 2003, when a small volunteer group staged it in Maryland’s Cabin John Park. It moved into Washington DC the following year, with ATA-DC taking over in 2005. According to the organisers, it has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors annually since 2008.
Founded in 1965, ATA-DC promotes friendship between the peoples of Türkiye and the United States, encourages understanding of Turkish history and culture, and helps Turkish Americans preserve their heritage. The festival brings those aims to life through a day of music, food and shared celebration.
Event details
Event: Washington DC Turkish Festival 2026
Date: Sunday 18 October 2026
Time: 11am–6.30pm, local time
Venue: 300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between 3rd and 6th Streets, Washington, DC
Admission: Free
Further information: visit the festival website for the full stage programme, vendor list and more
