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In Türkiye, Ramadan started on Thursday. The holy month is less about a daytime shutdown and more about a rhythmic shift. While the sun is up, life in major cities and tourist hubs moves at its usual pace; once the sun sets, the country transforms into a vibrant, late-night social hub.
Across the country, the most visible official Ramadan layer tends to split into two tracks: national-scale charity and public dining, and city-level cultural calendars that become more active after sunset.
The Directorate General of Foundations (VGM) has announced a 2026 Ramadan program framed as free public iftar gatherings across 81 provinces at 151 locations, run via regional directorates.
Their announcement also states the scale of daily and monthlong participation targets, and notes an international extension of iftar support to multiple countries and cities.
For travelers, the practical takeaway is simple: in many provinces, you can find organized, public-facing iftar setups that are not private or invite-only, although local details vary by city.
Other key dates travelers might want to keep in mind are Laylat al-Qadr on March 16, the last day of fasting known as "arefe" on March 19, and Eid al-Fitr, which runs from March 20 to 22.
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