Culture & Travel
1 May 2025May is one of the most vibrant months for culture and art in Istanbul. From open-air concerts along the Bosphorus to citywide festivals, from packed theatre stages to inspiring exhibitions, the city transforms into a true cultural map. This month offers a rich program for anyone eager to follow music, stories, creativity, and discovery.
Concerts in Istanbul – May 2025
Klangphonics
One of the rising names in the electronic music scene, Klangphonics will take the stage at Zorlu PSM %100 Studio on the evening of May 3, 2025. Known for blending techno and house foundations with live instruments, the group is celebrated for audiovisual shows that captivate both ears and eyes. This concert, part of the “PSM Loves2Gather” series, promises an immersive experience pushing the boundaries of stage art.
Venue: Zorlu PSM %100 Studio
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Time: 21:00
Bülent Ortaçgil – “Songs Touched by a Woman’s Voice”
Master musician Bülent Ortaçgil brings his timeless songs to the stage with the enchanting voices of female vocalists. On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre, Ortaçgil will be joined by powerful artists such as Ceylan Ertem, Jehan Barbur, Kalben, Sena Şener, and Şevval Sam, offering a polyphonic and emotionally rich evening.
Venue: Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre
Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Time: 21:00
Zülfü Livaneli 60th Art Anniversary – “The Sky Belongs to Everyone”
Legendary artist Zülfü Livaneli celebrates his 60th year in art with a special concert project titled “The Sky Belongs to Everyone.” On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, this unique event at Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre will bring together Livaneli’s iconic compositions with performances from Mengene Group (rock), Çağrı Sinci (rap), Bugu Orchestra (classical), and An Vocal Group (polyphonic), offering a powerful blend of genres across generations.
Venue: Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 21:00
Barcelona Gipsy Balkan Orchestra and Candan Erçetin
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Harbiye Open-Air Theatre will host a multicultural musical feast. Bringing the passionate sounds of the Balkans to global audiences, the Barcelona Gipsy Balkan Orchestra shares the stage with the elegant voice of Candan Erçetin for the first time. The evening will offer a rich journey through different languages, traditions, and rhythms.
Venue: Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre
Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025
Time: 21:00
Theatre in Istanbul – May 2025
Dracula – A Gothic Stage Interpretation by Okan Bayülgen
On Monday, May 12, 2025, Zorlu PSM presents a bold reinterpretation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” under the direction and performance of Okan Bayülgen. In this production, Van Helsing is played by the iconic Hayko Cepkin, and the timeline shifts 77 years ahead of the original novel. With live music by Ahmet Güvenç of Kurtalan Ekspres, this gothic play blurs the line between theatre and rock opera, promising an unforgettable experience.
Venue: Zorlu PSM
Date: Monday, May 12, 2025
Time: 20:30
The Bald Soprano – Where Meaning Meets Absurdity
Eugène Ionesco’s cult absurdist play “The Bald Soprano” takes the stage at Zorlu PSM on May 12, 2025. What starts as a typical evening in an English bourgeois home unravels into a nonsensical, surreal series of events. Time loops, illogical dialogues, and the arrival of an unnecessary fire chief challenge the audience’s expectations and question the very nature of meaning in storytelling.
Venue: Zorlu PSM
Date: Monday, May 12, 2025
Time: 20:30
Kaynat Bakalım – Secrets, Songs, and Laughter
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, Maximum UNIQ Hall hosts an evening full of laughter and personal stories. “Kaynat Bakalım” brings together Nükhet Duru, Nilgün Belgün, and Saba Tümer for a lively show filled with memories, anecdotes, and music. From love and flirtation to marriage and betrayal, this heartfelt performance will feel like a night spent chatting with friends—accompanied by live music and endless smiles.
Venue: Maximum UNIQ Hall
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Time: 21:00
The Time Regulation Institute – A Journey Through Time and Thought
Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar’s literary masterpiece “The Time Regulation Institute” comes to life on stage at the Istanbul Congress Center Harbiye Auditorium on Friday, May 16, 2025. Directed by Serdar Biliş and featuring Serkan Keskin in a layered performance, this adaptation bridges Eastern and Western sensibilities through visual and auditory storytelling. With original music composed by Tuluğ Tırpan, the play invites audiences to a sophisticated theatrical experience that reimagines a Turkish classic for modern times.
Venue: Istanbul Congress Center Harbiye Auditorium
Date: Friday, May 16, 2025
Time: 21:00
