How to Celebrate New Year's Eve in Turkey
Discover the traditions of celebrating New Year's Eve and other special holidays in Turkey. Read our article now for fun facts and helpful tips for your time abroad!
New Year’s Eve is a significant milestone in Turkey, both socially and culturally. Every year, on the night connecting December 31st to January 1st, people gather to celebrate the start of a new year. These celebrations are a time for spending with family and friends, as well as for observing various traditions and customs.
Traditions and Highlights of New Year’s Celebrations in Turkey
New Year’s celebrations in Turkey largely revolve around gathering with family and close friends, preparing lavish dinner tables, and participating in games of chance.
1. The Excitement of the National Lottery and Games of Chance
This is one of Turkey’s oldest and most widespread modern New Year’s traditions.
- The Milli Piyango New Year’s Special Draw: The most thrilling moment of New Year’s Eve is the grand prize drawing of the state lottery. Millions of people try their luck by buying a quarter, half, or full ticket in the final days of the year and follow the draw on television or radio with great excitement.
- Tombala (Bingo): This is an essential New Year’s game played within families or among groups of friends. With its simple rules and ability to bring everyone from young to old together, it’s one of the night’s most entertaining activities.
2. Preparing Lavish Family Feasts
New Year’s Eve means a feast night where people come together to enjoy meticulously prepared meals.
- New Year’s Turkey: This has become the main course of New Year’s tables in Turkey. It is usually stuffed with “iç pilav” (a seasoned rice pilaf) and roasted to a golden brown, taking center stage on the table. This tradition became popular through interaction with Western culture.
- Nuts and Fruits: These are indispensable parts of the feast. Traditional nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, and roasted chickpeas, along with fruits like pomegranate, dried figs, and dates, are consumed in abundance.
3. Rituals for Luck and Abundance
Some popular customs performed with the wish that the new year brings prosperity and luck:
- Smashing a Pomegranate: Smashing a pomegranate in front of the house’s doorstep as the new year begins is a popular tradition for good luck. It is believed that the scattered seeds of the broken pomegranate will bring abundance, prosperity, and luck to the home.
- Red Underwear: This is common, especially among young people. The belief that wearing red underwear while welcoming the new year will bring love and luck in the coming year is a modernizing tradition.
- Turning on the Taps: In some places, symbolic rituals like opening the water taps at midnight can be seen, based on the belief in the abundance and prosperity that water brings.
4. Home and Street Decorations
- Decorating a Pine Tree: This is the most distinct visual symbol of New Year’s, a celebration separate from Christmas in Turkey. Homes, shopping malls, and main streets are adorned with pine trees (New Year’s trees) decorated with colorful lights, tinsel, and ornaments. This is seen as a symbol of entering the new year with joy and hope.
- Illuminations: Especially in big cities, central streets like Nişantaşı (Istanbul) and Kızılay (Ankara) are transformed into festival-like areas with dazzling and spectacular light displays.
5. Gift Exchange (New Year’s Drawing)
- Secret Santa (Drawing Lots): In family, friend, or workplace settings, lots are drawn before New Year’s. Everyone buys a gift for the person whose name they drew, with a pre-determined budget. The gift exchange takes place on New Year’s Eve or just before.
- Tech Gadgets and Clothing: Gift shopping peaks during this period. Tech products and winter clothing are popular gift choices, especially for children and young people.
You can also check out our post on Public Holidays in Turkey: What to Do?
Popular Venues and Events for New Year’s Eve in Turkey
On New Year’s Eve, special events are organized in many parts of Turkey. Celebrations become even more vibrant with various venues and activities, especially in the big cities. Here are some popular places and events for New Year’s Eve in Turkey:
- Istanbul: New Year’s parties on the Bosphorus, nightclubs, and special events at hotels are very popular. Taksim Square, in particular, becomes the center of New Year’s celebrations.
- Ankara: Hotels and restaurants in the city center offer special menus and events for New Year’s Eve. Additionally, events organized around Anıtkabir also attract attention.
- İzmir: In İzmir, outdoor events and concerts along the Kordon Boyu (waterfront promenade) are essential parts of the new year celebrations.
New Year’s Shopping: Where and What to Buy in Turkey
New Year’s shopping is an essential part of the celebrations. Here are some popular places to shop during the New Year’s period in Turkey:
- Shopping Malls: Major shopping malls in Istanbul like Zorlu Center, Cevahir AVM, and Akmerkez are full of New Year’s sales and promotions.
- Bazaars: Local markets are a great place to find special gifts and decorations for the New Year. Handmade products and traditional Turkish souvenirs are particularly popular.
- Online Shopping: E-commerce sites make shopping even easier by offering special New Year’s deals. You can find clothing, accessories, and decorative items here.
The New Year’s Table: Traditional Flavors in Turkish Cuisine
The New Year’s table is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the rich flavors of Turkish cuisine. Here are some traditional Turkish dishes that might be on the New Year’s table:
- Mezes (Appetizers): Mezes like artichokes in olive oil, eggplant salad, and hummus are frequently chosen for the New Year’s table.
- Main Courses: Main dishes such as slow-roasted lamb (kuzu tandır), roasted chicken, or fish are indispensable parts of the New Year’s feast.
- Desserts: Sweets like baklava, kadayıf, and revani provide the sweet conclusion to New Year’s celebrations.
Spending New Year’s Eve in Turkey
In Turkey, New Year’s is not just the beginning of a new year, but also an opportunity for cultural enrichment and social interaction. This period, when families gather, traditions are kept alive, and special events are held, inspires happiness and hope in many people. If you are thinking of joining these celebrations, you have a great opportunity to discover the richness and traditions Turkey has to offer. Remember, every new year means new beginnings and new hopes!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the most popular traditions in Turkish New Year’s celebrations?
Traditions like the national lottery, New Year’s feasts, and tombala (bingo) are prominent in the celebrations.
What venues are preferred on New Year’s Eve?
Hotels, nightclubs, and outdoor events in major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir are among the popular choices.
What traditional Turkish dishes are found on the New Year’s table?
Mezes, slow-roasted lamb (kuzu tandır), roasted chicken, and desserts (like baklava and kadayıf) are dishes often preferred for the New Year’s table.