WEATHER, WHAT TO SEE, WHAT TO DO IN NOVEMBER 2024 IN ISTANBUL?

In November, Istanbul fully enters autumn, with a cooler atmosphere and a touch of melancholy in the air. Temperatures fluctuate between 9°C and 16°C, marking the beginning of the transition to winter. Strolling through the cobblestone streets of Sultanahmet or along the Bosphorus becomes more enjoyable under soft, golden light, while parks are tinted with vibrant autumn colors. Evenings, often cooler, invite one to warm up in one of the many traditional cafés or to explore the city’s galleries and theaters.

November 2024 in Istanbul is rich in cultural events, with various concerts and festivals, sports events, including the Istanbul marathon, and much more! It’s also an ideal period to enjoy the city with fewer tourists, making visits to monuments and cruises on the Bosphorus more intimate and peaceful.

WEATHER

In November, Istanbul takes on a cooler climate, with temperatures fluctuating between 9°C and 16°C, marking the start of the transition to winter. Walks remain enjoyable, but it is advisable to bring a warmer coat and an umbrella, as showers are more frequent. Despite this, beautiful sunny days still brighten the city, offering the perfect autumn atmosphere for exploring Istanbul on foot or enjoying a peaceful cruise on the Bosphorus. The landscapes are bathed in golden colors, creating a simultaneously soft and invigorating ambiance.

CONCERTS

November 2 – Bon Entendeur: The French collective Bon Entendeur, famous for its electro mixes blended with iconic sound excerpts, invites you to an immersive evening at Salon IKSV in Istanbul. Prepare yourself for a unique atmosphere where music and culture meet.

November 9 – Hey Douglas: Hey Douglas, a major figure on the Turkish electronic scene, will bring his unique mix of funky rhythms and psychedelic sounds to Babylon. A concert not to be missed for avant-garde fusion music fans.

November 7 – Salif Keita: The legendary Malian singer Salif Keita, nicknamed “the golden voice of Africa,” will take the stage for an evening of world music, where his Afro-pop rhythms and socially conscious lyrics will enchant spectators. At the Zorlu PSM.

November 9 – NTO: French DJ NTO, known for his melodic deep house sets, will perform at the Volkswagen Arena, offering a captivating performance at the intersection of electro and emotional music.

November 15 – CamelPhat: The British duo CamelPhat, famous for their electro-house hits, will take over Zorlu PSM for a dynamic and energetic evening. Get ready to dance to tracks like “Cola” and “Panic Room.”

November 20 – Sertap Erener: The Turkish pop diva, Sertap Erener, famous for her Eurovision victory, promises an exceptional performance at the Volkswagen Arena, mixing her essential hits with new songs.

November 21 – Charlotte Cardin: Canadian singer Charlotte Cardin, with her enchanting voice and blend of pop, jazz, and electro, will present her latest album in an intimate setting at the Volkswagen Arena.

November 24 – BabyJazz: A gentle and child-friendly musical experience, BabyJazz at Zorlu PSM is a concert for children, with pleasant jazz melodies and a playful atmosphere for families.

November 29 – Gazapizm Symphony: The socially conscious rapper Gazapizm will perform at Zorlu PSM accompanied by a symphony orchestra, bringing a new dimension to his impactful rap and hard-hitting lyrics.

November 30 – RYX: Australian artist RYX, known for his electro-acoustic ballads, will offer an intimate evening at Zorlu PSM with melancholic and haunting tracks like “Only” and “Berlin.”

FESTIVALS

November 1 – Halloween Freaky Night at Suma Han Istanbul

Halloween Freaky Night transforms the mysterious Suma Han into a terrifying and enchanting place on November 1, with a performance by Oceanvs Orientalis. Expect a night where dark electronic music and a spooky atmosphere meet, in a setting sponsored by Yüzde Müzik. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes for this unique evening.

November 2-3 – Mix Festival at Zorlu PSM

The Mix Festival, an official festival at Zorlu PSM, returns on November 2 and 3 with a program rich in musical genres. This 2024 edition, supported by %100 Müzik, offers unforgettable performances, with international and local artists participating. Among the headliners, Altın Gün, a Turkish psychedelic rock band, will make a mark on the stage with its captivating blend of Anatolian folk and modern sounds.

2-3 November – Kids Fest 2024 at Ataköy Marina

Kids Fest 2024 is a must-see family event scheduled for November 2 and 3 at Ataköy Marina. This festival is specially designed for children, with activities such as workshops, playgrounds, shows, theaters, and performances by popular characters. Attracting nearly 10,000 children and parents, this open-air celebration offers a magical weekend for the little ones.

November 9 – Urban Festival at Zorlu PSM

On November 9, the Urban Festival at Zorlu PSM celebrates the diversity of urban sounds with a multi-genre program. Supported by %100 Müzik, this event includes live performances, workshops, and interactive spaces. Since its inception in 2009, the Urban Festival has hosted renowned international talents such as Röyksopp and Trentemøller and continues to surprise with avant-garde performances.

November 29 – Underground Boutique at Zorlu PSM

On November 29, Underground Boutique will take place at Zorlu PSM for an evening dedicated to minimalist electronic and deep house music. House legends Tim Green and Mihai Popoviciu will be joined by Turkish masters Ahmet Sendil and DJ U.F.U.K. This festival creates a new community of electronic music enthusiasts in Istanbul, with a series of immersive and bold events.

THEATER / SHOWS

November 20 – BKM MUTFAK ENGLİSH CLUB : BKM Mutfak: BKM Mutfak: The international comedy group “Standup Turkey” returns to BKM Mutfak Çarşı with a rich program, bringing together comedians from various backgrounds! Turkish, American, European, Arab comedians… there’s something for everyone! Imagine a United Nations meeting, but more relaxed and definitely funnier. On this day, you can enjoy an English stand-up night, hosted by an international team, at the BKM Mutfak Comedy Club!

November 21-24 – Peaky Blinders The Recital: This must-see show will be presented from November 21 to 24 at Zorlu PSM. This spectacular adaptation, written by Steven Knight, creator of the Peaky Blinders series, and choreographed by Benoit Swan Pouffer, revisits the story of the Shelby family through a powerful combination of drama and dance. Set in post-war England, the show explores themes of love and revenge and is accompanied by a live orchestra playing original compositions and iconic tracks from Nick Cave, Radiohead, and others. After a successful tour in the UK, this masterful production will offer an opportunity to rediscover the Shelby universe in an enchanting atmosphere.

November 30  – Fire Of Anatolia at the Bostancı Gösteri Merkezi : Anadolu Ateşi, or Flame of Anatolia, is a unique dance show symbolizing the meeting of civilizations and carrying a message of universal peace by blending Eastern and Western cultures. Created by Mustafa Erdoğan, this show synthesizes folk dances with ballet, modern dance, and other disciplines to offer an internationally scaled cultural celebration, drawing from Anatolia’s millennia-old roots and rich cultural mosaic. Since its premiere in 2001, Anadolu Ateşi has given over 5,000 performances in 106 countries, captivating 47 million spectators.

EXHIBITIONS

Between Two Worlds – Istanbul Modern

The exhibition series “Dünyalar Arasında” (Between Worlds) by Chiharu Shiota is presented on the occasion of the centennial of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey, invited by Istanbul Modern. Inspired by Istanbul’s unique position between Asia and Europe, this exhibition explores the theme of “the feeling of being between two worlds.” Shiota uses red threads to create an immersive installation in the old Ottoman shipyards in Karaköy, symbolizing the connection between people, memories, and emotions. Each suitcase in the installation represents an individual, questioning concepts such as identity, belonging, and memory. Shiota thus invites the viewer to reflect on physical and emotional movements from a universal perspective.

Calculations and Coincidences – At the Pera Museum

The series “Hesaplar ve Tesadüfler” (Calculations and Coincidences) brings together works by three pioneering artists of algorithmic art: Vera Molnár, Dóra Maurer, and Gizella Rákóczy, from the collection of the Hungarian National Bank. The exhibition explores Molnár’s influence on computer art, highlighting the integration of mathematics and algorithms in the artistic practices of Maurer and Rákóczy. Molnár, who began using computers in 1968, revolutionized art by creating algorithm and chance-based works. Dóra Maurer, in turn, introduced mathematical systems into her works to organize chaos into precise structures. Rákóczy, a specialist in geometric art, focused on spirals and mathematical series for her compositions.

This exhibition, organized as part of the 2024 Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Year, parallels the practices of the three artists and emphasizes their role in the development of algorithmic art.

Until December 29, 2024 – Arter « Farz Et Ki Sen Yoksun » (Imagine that You Are Not Here)

This is a captivating exhibition located at Arter, exploring interactions between private collections and public space. Curated by Selen Ansen, this exhibition offers an immersion into a universe where everyday objects transform into museum artifacts. The exhibition includes works by over 400 artists and spans multiple floors, offering an experience that defies traditional museum conventions. Visitors are invited to reflect on how collected objects can transcend their everyday use to acquire new meanings in an artistic setting. This reflection is enriched by installations that use familiar objects in unusual ways, encouraging spectators to reconsider their perception of the objects around them. The exhibition is a meditation on collection as a creative act, posing questions about memory, identity, and permanence.

SPORTS

November 3 – Istanbul’s Marathon: The Istanbul Marathon offers a one-of-a-kind experience, crossing the city between two continents. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Istanbul fascinates with its rich history and iconic sites classified as UNESCO heritage. On the program for this exceptional race: a start from the Asian side, crossing the Bosphorus via the Bosphorus suspension bridge, and a route through modern and historic neighborhoods. This is an opportunity for participants to discover landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Hippodrome Square in a festive atmosphere.

Between sport, history, and culture, the Istanbul Marathon is the world’s only intercontinental race, an unforgettable experience that attracts runners from around the world.

November 6 – Beşiktaş vs Malmö: On November 6, Beşiktaş will face Malmö, a highly anticipated match that will allow the club to continue its momentum after its victory against Lyon. This decisive meeting promises to bring together passionate fans from both teams in an electric atmosphere at the stadium, with crucial stakes for both clubs.

November 7 – Galatasaray vs Tottenham: Galatasaray is preparing to face the English team Tottenham on November 7 for a major international match. This encounter is an opportunity for Galatasaray to demonstrate its competitiveness on the European stage against one of the heavyweights of the English championship. The atmosphere will be heated with passionate supporters on both sides.

November 15 – Fenerbahçe vs Zenit: On November 15, Fenerbahçe and Zenit will meet for an exciting match, a significant challenge for Fenerbahçe, which seeks to stand out internationally. This encounter promises to be rich in intensity and competitiveness, and the stadium will be in full swing.

November 22-24 – Girls on the Field (Kızlar Sahada) at Sütlüce Sports Club: From November 22 to 24, the Sütlüce Sports Club will host a unique event dedicated to women’s football, highlighting equality and inclusion in sports. This competition, the first and only of its kind in Turkey, brings together teams of passionate female players in an emotionally rich tournament. In addition to the matches, workshops are organized to raise participants’ awareness of the issues of diversity and equality in the sports world. The event is open to the public, and everyone is invited to come and cheer on the athletes in the stands. To participate in this dynamic and committed sporting experience, tickets are available via Bubilet. This is a perfect opportunity to support women’s sports and celebrate equality values on the field.

In conclusion, November in Istanbul is a favorable time to discover the city in a fresh and calming autumnal atmosphere. Between varied cultural events and reduced tourist crowds, the metropolis becomes a haven of exploration. Whether you’re a music lover, art enthusiast, or looking for new experiences, November offers a range of captivating activities at the heart of a city where past and present harmoniously meet.