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The Antalya Culture Route Festival will kick off on Oct. 31, bringing nine days of free concerts, art exhibitions, opera, ballet, archaeological tours and culinary experiences to one of Türkiye's leading Mediterranean tourism destinations.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the festival will run through Nov. 8, marking its fourth edition in Antalya as part of the nationwide Türkiye Culture Route Festival.
The program will bring together cultural heritage, contemporary art and local gastronomy, with events taking place at historical sites, cultural institutions and public spaces across the city.
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said the initiative aims to strengthen Antalya's position as a year-round destination by showcasing its cultural heritage alongside its beaches and natural attractions.
"We want Antalya to stand out not only during the summer months but throughout the year as a destination known for its culture, art, history and gastronomy," Ersoy said.
He also highlighted ongoing excavation, conservation and restoration projects at ancient cities, including Aspendos, Perge, Side and Patara, under the ministry's Heritage for the Future initiative.
Konyaalti Beach Park will host nine consecutive nights of free concerts, beginning with Turkish pop singer Murat Boz on Oct. 31.
The lineup continues with Ozcan Deniz on Nov. 1, Simge on Nov. 2, Poizi on Nov. 3, Sefo on Nov. 4, Gokhan Turkmen on Nov. 5, Ebru Yasar on Nov. 6, Demet Akalin on Nov. 7 and Hakan Altun on Nov. 8.
Beyond the outdoor concerts, Antalya State Opera and Ballet will stage productions including Anna Karenina, Attila and Carmina Burana, alongside the Baroque Dream concert.
The theater program will also feature Buzlar Cozulmeden (Before the Ice Melts).
Archaeology will form a central part of the festival, with guided visits to seven ancient cities: Aspendos, Perge, Syedra, Side, Phaselis, Sillyon and Termessos.
Excavation directors and specialists will lead the tours, introducing participants to the sites' history, architectural features and ongoing archaeological research.
The program also ties into the ministry's Heritage for the Future initiative, which seeks to uncover, preserve and pass on the region's archaeological legacy.
The festival's gastronomy program will feature more than 40 designated culinary stops, known as Lezzet Noktalari, where visitors can explore Antalya's regional dishes.
Hosted by chef Mehmet Akdag, the program will bring together culinary professionals, including two-Michelin-star chef Ozan Kumbasar, Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient Vedat Basaran and Michelin Guide-listed chef Claudio Chinali, alongside other chefs and food writers.
From Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, culinary routes will connect Antalya with Korkuteli, Elmali, Gombe, Finike, Beycik and Kas. A separate route through Manavgat and Alanya will be hosted by Akdag and food writer Ebru Erke.
Featured specialties include Antalya-style white bean salad with tahini, grilled meatballs, hibes (a tahini-based dip), Alanya's traditional guluklu soup, layered pastries, pumpkin dessert with tahini and bitter orange preserves.
Exhibitions across Antalya will showcase contemporary painting, Ottoman heritage, traditional craftsmanship and regional cultural traditions.
At Antalya Culture and Art, the Three Painters exhibition will feature works by Alaettin Aksoy, Mehmet Guleryuz and Komet from the Taviloglu Collection.
Meanwhile, the Antalya Olgunlasma Institute will present Kemha-i Antali, highlighting Seljuk-era textile heritage, and In Nature's Shell, an exhibition exploring traditional crafts and sustainability in connection with the COP31 theme.
Other exhibitions will take place at the Mevlevihane Museum, Turkan Soray Cultural Center and Akdeniz University's Olbia Art Gallery.
Photography enthusiasts can join FotoMaraton Antalya and FotoMaraton Children, starting at Cumhuriyet Square on Oct. 31, while younger visitors will have access to concerts, performances, film screenings and traditional arts workshops throughout the festival.
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