As we enjoy the most vibrant days of spring, Istanbul is brimming with culture and art in May. With masterful theatre actors, high-energy concerts, and special events bringing art lovers together all across the city, the program is once again packed this month. If you want to catch the spirit of Istanbul on stage, don’t make any plans before checking out our concert and theatre recommendations in this article!

Zülfü Livaneli returns to the stage with a special concert series celebrating his 60th year in art! This unique project brings together the Mengene Group, Çağrı Sinci, Bugu Orchestra, and An Vocal Group, presenting a rich spectrum from rock to rap, classical music to multi-voice vocal arrangements. Livaneli’s unforgettable works will be revived with contemporary interpretations. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind musical experience!

One of the standout names of London’s avant-garde jazz scene, Alabaster dePlume comes to Istanbul with his unique style and multi-faceted artistry! Known as a musician, composer, and poet, dePlume invites listeners into his distinct sonic universe with improvisation-based saxophone performances. In his latest album *Come With Fierce Grace*, he highlights the power of spontaneous creation, bringing the enchanting harmony of chaos and order to the stage. Don’t miss this different and captivating experience!

Renowned for his global performances, Polish guitar prodigy Marcin Patrzałek takes the stage for his first concert in Turkey! Masterfully blending classical, pop, and rock tones, Marcin orchestrates a symphony with just his guitar. Known for his unforgettable *America’s Got Talent* performance and viral videos with millions of views, the young musician offers an unlimited musical feast. Don’t miss this high-energy concert!

KüçükÇiftlik Park’s summer series, KüçükÇiftlik Garden Concerts, opens on Saturday, May 17 with a mesmerizing performance by Gaye Su Akyol! Presented by Kendine Has, this special evening will feature internationally acclaimed alternative music artist Gaye Su Akyol, bringing her psychedelic rock-infused songs to the open air. Under the stars, in an intimate atmosphere, music, flavors, and summer joy come together. Don’t miss this delightful kickoff!

Captivating listeners with his melancholic tones and deep stage presence, Tamino is set to perform at KüçükÇiftlik Park on May 23! Just ahead of his upcoming album Every Dawn’s a Mountain, this exclusive concert will feature new songs like “Sanctuary,” his collaboration with Mitski, along with fan favorites. Don’t miss this emotionally intense and unforgettable concert experience!

Masterfully blending modern classical and electronic music, Kiasmos takes the stage at Volkswagen Arena on May 23! This special project by Ólafur Arnalds and Janus Rasmussen is reconnecting with audiences after a long break. With meditative melodies, minimal techno rhythms, and mesmerizing visuals, the night promises an unmissable experience for music lovers.

As part of the Garanti BBVA Concerts, the boundary-pushing music collective Sirens of Lesbos will perform at Salon on May 23, 2025! Led by Swiss sisters Jasmina and Nabyla Serag, the group blends reggae, indie pop, and African rhythms, inviting Istanbul to dance with their high-energy performance. Drawing inspiration from their European tour, the band is gearing up for a new album. Don’t miss this vibrant night!

The legendary Latin group Gipsy Kings, led by Tonino Baliardo, meets music lovers in Istanbul at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre! With global hits like “Bamboleo,” “Volare,” and “Djobi Djoba,” the Grammy-winning group that popularized Rumba Flamenca will once again set the stage on fire with fiery rhythms and boundless energy. Don’t miss this unforgettable musical feast!

Dracula, one of the most anticipated productions of the year, meets the audience on stage in collaboration with BKM and Kabare Dada. Okan Bayülgen brings Bram Stoker’s cult novel to the stage with his own unique style and also plays the role of Dracula. Hayko Cepkin, with his strong stage presence, takes on the role of Van Helsing. The story stretches 77 years after the novel, unlocking the dark secrets of the past. Live music enhances the atmosphere, with legendary Kurtalan Ekspres bassist Ahmet Güvenç in the music team. Don’t miss this striking and extraordinary theatre experience!

Master director and writer Şahika Tekand presents a satirical perspective stretching from mythology to the present with “Is It Dying or What?”. Centered around the possibility of Zeus dying, this compelling play questions universal issues like power, justice, war, marriage, and labor through the gods. Enriched with musical rhythms, its dynamic structure both provokes thought and offers an entertaining flow. Traces of Ionesco, Beckett, and Aristophanes can be found in the play, which gains a unique form on stage through Tekand’s original Performative Staging method. Don’t miss this creative theatrical experience!

With Sebastian Seidel’s witty script, "Bir Baba Hamlet" tells the comic and chaotic struggle of two actors trying to stage Shakespeare’s masterpiece. Their attempt at Hamlet provides plenty of laughs while offering a joyful look at the magic of making theatre. With Baba Sahne’s energetic performance and Seidel’s clever dialogue, the play creates a laughter-filled atmosphere. Don’t miss this fun theatre experience!

The award-winning “Everyone Looks Like My Husband” is back for its fourth season. Performed by the powerful Pınar Güntürkün, the play follows the journey of Ayten, a restroom attendant at a nightclub, as she confronts her rage, grief, and past. With sharp humor and striking narration, this one-woman show leaves a lasting impression. Don’t miss this unique performance!

GöteborgsOperans Danskompani’s award-winning show Hammer hits the stage on May 23 at Turkcell Sahnesi! Choreographed by Alexander Ekman, this two-act dance performance offers a captivating journey from offline harmonious unity to online egomania. Visually stunning and laced with humor, Hammer questions modern society’s self-image while promising an experience that is both fun and thought-provoking.