What to Do in Istanbul in October: Weather, 29 October, Filmekimi and Marathon

October weather: mild, with showers

Source: Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM). It rains twice as much as in September, in showers; clear days remain plentiful. Turkey stays on UTC+3 all year: there is no clock change, but night falls noticeably earlier as the month goes on.

Crowds and prices in October

According to the provincial culture and tourism directorate's statistics, Istanbul welcomed nearly 1.9 million foreign visitors in October 2025, as many as in July: it is a high-crowd month. Weekends and the week of 29 October are the busiest, so book early. Our guide to avoiding queues helps pick time slots, and where to stay in Istanbul compares districts. Prices ease in November, see what to do in Istanbul in November.

Events in October

Filmekimi: 9 to 18 October 2026

The İKSV foundation's Filmekimi film week presents 43 films that won awards at Cannes and Venice. In Istanbul it runs from 9 to 18 October 2026, in four cinemas including the Kadıköy Sineması, before moving to Ankara on 15-18, then to İzmir and Mersin on 22-25 October. Screenings are paid; tickets are sold online. 2027 dates have not been announced.

Istanbul Theatre Festival: from 22 October

The 30th Istanbul Theatre Festival (İKSV) runs from 22 October to 3 December 2026, with 17 theatre, performance and dance shows from Turkey and abroad. Many shows are in Turkish: check the language and surtitles before booking.

Republic Day: Thursday 29 October 2026, Friday 29 October 2027

Republic Day commemorates the proclamation of 1923. It starts on 28 October at 1 p.m. and continues on the 29th: banks, government offices and schools are closed. In 2026, the 29th is a Thursday (the 28th a Wednesday); in 2027 it is a Friday and the 28th a Thursday, making a long weekend when hotels and transport are full. The city is covered in flags. Monuments and restaurants in the centre generally stay open, but check each place's hours. See public holidays and bayrams.

Istanbul Marathon: Sunday 1 November 2026

The marathon, which crosses the Bosphorus bridge from Asia to Europe, takes place on Sunday 1 November 2026, just after the end of October. Roads are closed that day, and individual registration closes on 13 October. See the Istanbul Marathon.

The biennial in 2027

The 19th Istanbul Biennial runs from 18 September to 14 November 2027: a stay in October 2027 falls in the middle of the biennial. See the Istanbul Biennial page. For other dates, see the festival calendar.

What to wear in October

• Layers: T-shirt, light sweater, jacket.
• A light raincoat or an umbrella.
• Closed, non-slip shoes for wet cobblestones.
• A scarf for the ferry and evenings by the water.
• Mosque-appropriate clothing: see visiting a mosque in Istanbul.

The best things to do in October

• Parks in autumn colours: Emirgan Park, Yıldız and Gülhane.
• The Bosphorus: a cruise on a clear day and the sunset viewpoints.
• Museums and hammams on rainy days: what to do when it rains and the best hammams.
• Seasonal food: fish, chestnuts and pomegranates, see what to eat in Istanbul.

Trips in October

• The Princes' Islands: check the ferries' winter timetables.
• The Belgrade Forest for a walk under the trees.
• Bursa, Edirne or Iznik for a cultural day.

See also excursions from Istanbul.

October at a glance

Going further

October follows what to do in Istanbul in September and precedes what to do in Istanbul in November. For the whole season, read Istanbul in autumn and the best time to visit Istanbul. See also: Halloween and Thanksgiving in Istanbul.