How to Plan New Year's Eve Events in Istanbul
Istanbul offers plenty of options for 31 December: club parties, concerts, shared New Year's Eve boat cruises and public square celebrations. Programmes, artists and ticket prices are usually confirmed during December. We publish an event only once the organiser confirms the programme, times and price, so this page may look empty for now.
Types of Events
- Club parties: DJ nights that run until late. Entry is usually by ticket or table booking; drinks packages vary by venue.
- Concerts: New Year's concerts in concert halls and hotels, usually sold with numbered seating.
- Shared New Year's Eve boat cruises: dinner-and-music cruises on the Bosphorus with a ticket per person. If you want the boat to yourselves, a private yacht charter is the better fit.
- Public square celebrations: the municipalities' open-air countdown events are announced separately each year.
Shared Cruise or Private Yacht?
There are two ways to spend New Year's Eve on the Bosphorus. On a shared cruise the ticket is per person; the boat, menu and entertainment are shared with every guest, and your table is in the same room as other groups. On a private yacht the boat is yours alone, the price is per group and the menu and drinks are arranged for your party. For a group of four a shared cruise can be cheaper; for eight, ten or fifteen guests the cost per person of a private yacht often comes close. For a comparison, see the pricing section of the private New Year's Eve yacht in Istanbul page.
Getting Home After Midnight
On New Year's Eve, traffic in Istanbul builds from the early evening and taxis are hard to find after midnight. Public transport hours for the night are announced separately each year. Staying close to the venue, planning your return in advance or choosing an option that needs no journey, such as a hotel gala, makes the night easier.
Before You Buy a Ticket
Check the end time, what the drinks package covers, the age limit and the cancellation terms, and plan your way home after midnight in advance.
In the meantime, see New Year's Eve restaurants or hotel gala nights, which combine a gala dinner and entertainment.