Unforgettable Events in December: Celebrate the End of the Year with Excitement!
December, as the final month of the year, is filled with exciting events. For those who want to warm up the cold winter days with vibrant concerts, theater performances, and special New Year’s events, there are plenty of options. December offers a chance to immerse yourself in art, soothe your soul with music, and embrace the New Year’s joy. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for unforgettable moments to share with friends or family in this last month of the year!
Istanbul December Concerts
A Special Christmas Night with Bora Çeliker & Friends
Location: Zorlu PSM
Date: December 11, 2024, 9:00 PM
Tickets: Passo
On the evening of December 11, the touché stage welcomes Bora Çeliker & Friends with a mesmerizing winter and Christmas program! Featuring unforgettable works from Louis Armstrong to Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington to Wynton Marsalis, this special performance will enchant you. Accompanying Bora Çeliker on guitar and vocals are Nilüfer Verdi, Batu Şallıel, Oğuz Alp Erdoğmuş, and Burak Cihangirli. Don’t miss this delightful evening filled with the nostalgic tones of jazz!
An Unforgettable Performance by Ajda Pekkan
Location: Istanbul Congress Center
Date: December 14, 2024, 9:00 PM
Tickets: Passo
The legendary name of Turkish pop music, Ajda Pekkan, meets her fans with her captivating stage energy and timeless songs. Pekkan will deliver a musical feast with a rich repertoire ranging from unforgettable classics of her career to her most loved hits. Promising both nostalgic and surprise-filled moments, this magical evening is not to be missed. Reserve your spot now!
An Enchanting Night with Mario Frangoulis
Location: Volkswagen Arena
Date: December 14, 2024, 8:30 PM
Tickets: Biletix
World-renowned tenor Mario Frangoulis will perform at Volkswagen Arena on December 14, organized by Piu Entertainment. Celebrating the 35th anniversary of his career, Frangoulis is set to deliver an unforgettable musical feast, featuring a captivating repertoire ranging from classical music to modern masterpieces. Having shared the stage with legends like Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, and Placido Domingo, the artist will enchant the audience with his powerful voice and emotional performance. Accompanied by a symphonic orchestra, this special night promises a unique experience for music lovers.
An Emotional Night with Alessandro Safina
Location: Istanbul Congress Center Harbiye Auditorium
Date: December 15, 2024, 9:00 PM
Tickets: Biletix
World-famous tenor Alessandro Safina is set to deliver an unforgettable performance on December 15 at the Istanbul Congress Center. Known for masterfully blending classical and pop music, Safina will captivate the audience with timeless pieces like “Dicitencello Vuie” and “Luna.” “I believe music is a universal language,” says Safina, who will take listeners on a profound journey with his powerful voice and stage presence. Don’t miss this unique musical experience!
A Nostalgic Night with "Ustalardan İzler"
Location: Atatürk Cultural Center
Date: December 17, 2024, 8:00 PM
Tickets: Biletinial
With melodies from the 70s and 80s, "Ustalardan İzler" (Traces of Masters) Concert offers listeners an unforgettable nostalgic experience. Under the artistic direction of Bora Kayalar, this special event brings beloved songs from the golden era of Turkish pop music to life through performances by talented vocalists such as Jülide Karan, Ezgi Eyüboğlu, İrem Sağer Güven, and Mehmet Kılınç. Accompanied by the exceptional Istanbul State Modern Folk Music Ensemble, get ready to feel the spirit of the times once again!
An Enchanting Evening with Kovacs
Location: IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş
Date: December 20, 2024, 9:30 PM
Tickets: Biletinial
Sharon Kovacs, known for her distinctive voice and captivating style, will meet her audience on December 20 at the IF Performance Hall stage.
A Journey to Yeşilçam with Türkan Şoray
Location: Atatürk Cultural Center
Date: December 22, 2024, 8:30 PM
Tickets: Biletinial
Türkan Şoray brings the unforgettable memories of Yeşilçam to the stage with the mesmerizing sounds of a symphony orchestra! Legendary film scores like "Blue Scarf," "The Girl with the Red Scarf," and "Dila Hanım" are brought to life with special arrangements, accompanied by heartfelt anecdotes from Türkan Şoray. Don’t miss this emotional journey and the enchanting performance of a timeless star of Turkish cinema!
A Magical Journey with the Hogwarts Symphony Show
Location: Bostancı Performing Arts Center
Date: December 26, 2024, 8:00 PM
Tickets: Biletinial
As part of their world tour, PRIME Orchestra offers a mesmerizing musical experience this winter. The HOGWARTS Sympho Show features iconic Harry Potter melodies by John Williams, along with surprise pieces from popular films such as "Fantastic Beasts," "The Chronicles of Narnia," and "Pirates of the Caribbean." This spectacular performance combines the magnificence of a modern orchestra with cutting-edge sound and lighting effects, creating a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Don’t miss this magical concert, perfect for Harry Potter fans and lovers of symphonic music alike!
Theatre in Istanbul This December
Othello: Shakespeare’s Timeless Masterpiece at Moda Sahnesi
Location: Moda Sahnesi
Date: December 19–22, 2024, 8:30 PM
Tickets: Biletinial
William Shakespeare’s masterpiece "Othello" comes to life in a new translation by Emine Ayhan. Exploring themes of love, jealousy, politics, class, and identity, this production is directed by Kemal Aydoğan with a stellar cast. With its captivating design, this play promises to be a highlight of the season at Moda Sahnesi.
Am I a Seagull?: A Modern Take on Chekhov's Play
Location: Zorlu PSM
Date: December 11, 2024, 20:30
Tickets: Passo
This powerful production, adapted from Anton Chekhov's play The Seagull, offers an in-depth exploration of life's uncertainties and the complexities of human relationships. Five actors embark on a time-travel journey from the past to the present, facing today's challenges and providing the audience with a thought-provoking experience. Carrying the marks of both the past and the present, this performance brings a playful perspective to existential questions.
Cyrano: The Power of Love and Words
Location: DasDas
Date: December 12, 2024, 20:30
Tickets: Mobilet
Edmond Rostand's timeless masterpiece Cyrano de Bergerac is brought to life again this season at DasDas, directed by Ahmet Sami Özbudak. In this poetic and magical atmosphere, audiences will have the opportunity to reflect on deep themes such as love, loneliness, and death. Cyrano questions how one's stance toward life is shaped not only by physical strength but also by the power of words, offering a deep perspective on the beauty standards of both the past and present.
The Happy Family Picture: Between Love and Chaos
Location: Watergarden Performance Center
Date: December 13, 14, 20, 2024, 20:30
Tickets: Biletinial
The Happy Family Picture takes the audience on a journey through the efforts of Elaine and Ken Haber to escape their dull marriage. As the middle-aged couple decides to radically change their lives, this search for novelty leads them into unexpected and complex situations. The story of the Haber family, who question their relationship due to the influence of their children, offers a humorous and touching experience to the audience, providing both laughter and deep self-reflection.
Ladies and Gentlemen Dario Moreno: The Story of a Star
Location: Kadıköy Eğitim Sahnesi
Date: December 14, 2024, 20:30
Tickets: Biletinial
Ladies and Gentlemen Dario Moreno brings to the stage the life of the famous Turkish artist Dario Moreno, portrayed by award-winning writer Kosta Kortidis in a masterful narrative that seamlessly blends reality and fiction. Kortidis dramatically portrays Moreno's music career, personal journeys, and the process of becoming a global star. This musical theater show serves as a tribute to Moreno and takes the audience on a nostalgic and emotional journey.
Flying: The Grand Dream of Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi
Location: Atatürk Cultural Center
Date: December 20, 21, 22, 2024, 20:00
Tickets: Biletinial
Set in 17th century Istanbul, this captivating story brings Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi's passion for flying to the stage. Inspired by the flight of birds, his rivalry with Lagari Hasan Çelebi, and his daring experiment under the supervision of Sultan IV. Murad, offer the audience an unforgettable adventure. This epic performance, walking the fine line between humanity and dreams, reveals the magic of flying, which contains both freedom and fear. Get ready to witness this historical adventure that adorns Istanbul's skies!
Project Dictator: In the Shadows of Authority
Location: Kadıköy Barış Manço Cultural Center
Date: December 22, 2024, 20:00
Tickets: Biletinial
Project Dictator is an impactful production staged in 2022 by the Rhum and Cly team in the UK using the Devising Technique. Inspired by interviews with artists living under authoritarian regimes, this play offers a deep examination of today's harsh political environment. With its interactive structure involving the audience, Project Dictator seeks unconventional answers to the question "How are problems solved?" offering a thought-provoking and engaging experience for viewers.
The Messenger: Silent Witnesses of Tragedy
Location: Fişekhane
Date: December 25, 2024, 21:00
Tickets: Biletinial
Messengers, an essential part of tragedies, serve as bridges between the people and kings, gods, and mortals, influencing the course of events with the news they carry. However, these figures are forced to witness humanity's darkest sides due to the bad news they bear. While their presence on stage is limited by their roles, it carries a deep uncertainty about who they are and their existence. This compelling production offers the audience a chance to face universal truths of tragedy while questioning the meaning of existence.
Loop: The Transformation of Time and Mind
Location: Zorlu PSM
Date: December 26, 2024, 20:30
Tickets: Passo
Confronting the uncertainty between the past, present, and future, Umut embarks on an inner journey to rediscover his own truth, seeking ways to stop the flow of the world around him. Realizing the traps of perceiving mental health as something that "needs to be fixed," Umut offers the audience a profound intellectual experience. This captivating performance invites the audience to reflect on uncertainty and internal conflict, encouraging deep thoughts and self-inquiry about their own reality.
Disco Ball: The Story of Existence and Struggle
Location: Zorlu PSM
Date: December 30, 2024, 20:30
Tickets: Passo
Disco Ball presents a compelling story of resilience and the struggle for survival against life's challenges. A young woman, who embarks on a new life at the age of 17 after receiving a mysterious invitation, faces the societal complexities with her baby, “Küçük.” This emotional and striking performance questions the concept of "normal" and provides the audience with a profound and unforgettable experience.