New Year’s Eve in Turkey ― Date, History, and Details

New Year’s Eve in Turkey

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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of New Year’s Eve in Turkey and why people celebrate or observe it.

History of New Year’s Eve in Turkey and How to Celebrate/ Observe It

New Year’s Eve, or ‘Yılbaşı’ in Turkish, is celebrated on the last night of December every year. It is a public holiday and most people have the day off work. Families and friends get together to celebrate and welcome in the new year.

The main event is a big street party in Istanbul, where people dance and sing all night long. There are also fireworks at midnight.

In the lead up to New Year’s Eve, people start to prepare their homes and gardens for the celebrations. This includes decorating trees and putting up lights.

On New Year’s Eve itself, people typically eat a special dinner with family and friends. This might include traditional dishes such as lamb or fish. After dinner, people head out to the street party or to one of the city’s many nightclubs.

As the clock strikes midnight, everyone cheers and celebrates the start of the new year. Fireworks are set off and people continue to party into the early hours of the morning.