Turkish Holidays and Dates to Observe in 2024

Date Name Type
01-Jan New Year’s Day National holiday
11-Jan Holy Night– REGAİB KANDİLİ Observance
06-Feb Holy Night– MİRAÇ KANDİLİ Observance
24-Feb Holy Night– BERAT KANDİLİ Observance
10-Mar Ramazan Arefe Holy Month of Ramadan Begins
09-Apr Ramadan Feast Eve Half Day
10-Apr Ramadan Feast Şseker Bayram  National holiday
11-Apr Ramadan Feast Holiday National holiday
12-Apr Ramadan Feast Holiday National holiday
23-Apr National Sovereignty and Children’s Day National holiday
01-May Labor and Solidarity Day National holiday
19-May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day National holiday
15-Jun Sacrifice Feast Eve – Kurban Bayram Half Day
16-Jun Sacrifice Feast National holiday
17-Jun Sacrifice Feast Holiday National holiday
18-Jun Sacrifice Feast Holiday National holiday
19-Jun Sacrifice Feast Holiday National holiday
15-Jul Democracy and National Unity Day National holiday
30-Aug Victory Day National holiday
14-Sep Holy Night– MEVLİD KANDİLİ Observance
28-Oct Republic Day Eve Half Day
29-Oct Republic Day National holiday
10-Nov Ataturk Commemoration Day Observance
31-Dec New Year’s Eve Observance

 

 

The five Holy Nights

Kandil refers to the Five Islamic Holy Nights which are celebrated throughout Turkey each year.  The meaning of Kandil comes from the Arabic word qindīl meaning chandelier or Candle and refers to an oil lamp dating back to the time of Sultan Selim II who lit candles in the Mosques Minarets to mark the holy evenings.

The Days of the Islamic Calendar start at sunset, which is why Kandil is celebrated at Night and as the Islamic Calendar is a lunar calendar, the dates of each of these nights changes every year.

If you live or holiday in Turkey you probably won’t notice these dates as they are not marked by public holidays.  However, you may notice that the Mosques are illuminated to mark these evenings.

These holy days and nights are marked by prayer, poems and fasting. Special Foods (often Mini simits) are often prepared in the homes and greetings are passed around neighbours and families.

The Five Holy Nights are:

Mevlid Kandili – The Birth of the Prophet Mohammad

The day is fixed at the 12th day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal in the Muslim calendar.The Prophet Muhammad was born around A.D. 570 and died in 632. The Mevlid Kandili was first observed around the 13th century and was preceded by a month of celebration. The day is usually celebrated by a sermon, remembrance of the Prophet’s life and mission, gift giving and a feast. On the night that the Holy Prophet was born, Allah, ordered the angels to open all the gates of Heaven and Paradise. It was also during that day that the sun was brighter and more brilliant in its radiance.

Regaip Kandili– The Conception of the Prophet Mohammad

Regaip marks the beginning of three holy months in the Islamic calendar and is known as the “Beginning of the Three Moons,”

Laylat al-Ragha’ib in Arabic, is a holy night in Islam commemorating the conception of the Prophet Muhammad. Also known as Night of the Rewards. As Muslim holidays begin the night before, Regaip Kandili is celebrated on the Thursday night preceding the first Friday in the month of Rajab.

Miraç Kandili– The Prophet Mohammad’s accent into Heaven

The Prophet Muhammad’s Isra and Mi’raj. Isra is the name for his night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, and Mi’raj is the term for his ascension to heaven, where he met with other prophets and spoke with God. It is celebrated on the 27th day of the month of Rejeb in the Islamic calendar.

The day is focused on children and youth. Those who visit the mosque will hear the story of Isra and Mi’raj.

Berat Kandili – The Day of Forgiveness

The Night of Forgiveness, Berat Kandili or Leylet-ul-Bera’at. Observed on the night between the 14th and 15th days of Sha’ban, the eighth month of the Hijra calendar.  Berat Kandili is spent reciting the Quran and performing special prayers.  Berat meaning to come clean, to be refreshed and get rid of, abstain from evil and ugliness.

Named the night of forgiveness, where people pray for forgiveness forgive people that have hurt them and let go of their grievances, pray for those seeking forgiveness or needing help as well as visiting the graves of deceased relatives. Or if there is anyone in pain they should seek help between sunset and sunrise.

The Night of the Emancipation is time to ask for forgiveness; provision; healing and help

 

Kadir Gecesi – The Korans first appearance to The Prophet Mohammad

Known as Laylat al-Qadr in Arabic. The Night of Power is traditionally accepted as the night between the 26th and 27th days of Ramadan. It is believed that this night is when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel