25th Annual Monterey Turkish Arts & Culture Festival Returns August 23–24, 2025 at the Custom House Plaza

Celebrate the Vibrant Culture, Music, Dance, and Flavors of Turkey — Free Admission for All Ages!

August 2025. Monterey, CA — Travel to beautiful Turkey without leaving the Monterey Peninsula! The 25th Annual Monterey Turkish Arts & Culture Festival returns on Saturday and Sunday, August 23–24, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Custom House Plaza in Downtown Monterey, adjacent to Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Hosted by the Turkish American Association of California, this milestone event offers free admission and provides two unforgettable days filled with authentic Turkish food, music, dance, art, and fascinating cultural traditions.

This year’s celebration is extra special, marking a quarter-century of cultural exchange, friendship, and community. To honor this anniversary, the festival will introduce exciting new activities while continuing beloved traditions that have made it a local favorite.

Festival Highlights Include:

• Mesmerizing Whirling Dervish performances: Watch the spellbinding spiritual dance of the Whirling Dervishes, a centuries-old tradition symbolizing inner peace and unity where every movement has a special meaning.
• New! Whirling Dervishes teaching demo: Experience this spiritual art form firsthand as performers guide you through the symbolism, movements, and meditative steps of the dance.
• Live Turkish music and vibrant folk dancing: Enjoy energetic performances of traditional Turkish folk songs and dances that bring the country’s rich cultural heritage to life, including:
  • Horon from the Black Sea region — a fast-paced, synchronized dance often performed in a tight circle, reflecting the energy of the sea and the spirit of the local fishermen.
  • Dirmil from Burdur — a graceful and elegant dance featuring smooth, flowing steps that tell stories of rural life and community celebrations in southwest Turkey.
  • Silifke from the Mersin region — a lively, rhythmic dance known for its quick footwork and joyful energy, traditionally performed during harvests and festivals.
• New! Mini-Turkish wedding dance learning demo: Join in the fun and learn the joyful steps of a traditional Turkish wedding dance — a new interactive highlight for 2025!
• Captivating belly dancing and cultural demonstrations: Be dazzled by colorful belly dancing shows and cultural presentations that showcase Turkey’s vibrant history and customs.
• New! Special musical collaboration: We’re thrilled to welcome tenor Orazio Aiello and accordionist Mike Marotta — both from the Festa Italia core group of musicians — joining us for this milestone event in a wonderful display of cross-cultural friendship.

Enjoy a taste of Turkey with an array of delicious Turkish cuisine, including:

• Adana Kebap (charcoal-grilled minced meat)
• Doner Kebap (spiced barbecued meat)
• Borek (cheese and spinach-filled pastry)
• Baklava (sweet, nut-filled phyllo dessert)
• Kaymak (a rich, clotted cream dessert often paired with honey)
• Simit (a sesame-crusted circular bread, sometimes called the Turkish bagel)
• Gözleme (hand-rolled flatbread stuffed with savory fillings like spinach, cheese, or potatoes, cooked on a griddle)
• Rich and flavorful Turkish coffee and tea

Artisan booths with traditional crafts and art exhibits: Browse handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, textiles, and other authentic Turkish goods created by skilled artisans.

Children’s activities: folk dancing, coloring, face painting, and games

Whether you’re savoring authentic Turkish dishes, shopping for handmade treasures, or dancing along to the music by the sea, this festival offers something interesting and tasty with fun for all ages!

Festival At a Glance:

What: 25th Annual Monterey Turkish Arts & Culture Festival

When: Saturday and Sunday, August 23–24, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Where: Custom House Plaza, 20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940

Adjacent to the Stanton Center and Old Fisherman’s Wharf

Cost: Free admission

Parking: Ample parking at the Waterfront Parking Lot at 201 Washington Street, Monterey, CA

Info: (831) 224-6501 or (831) 238-6104 | [email protected] | www.turkfestca.org

Join us for this vibrant, family-friendly weekend on Monterey’s scenic waterfront and experience the warmth, beauty, and hospitality of Turkish culture — right here in the heart of Monterey!

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the 25th year of the Monterey Turkish Arts & Culture Festival and share the vibrant traditions, flavors, and spirit of Turkey with our community,” said Saime Matsu, Executive Director, “This milestone year is especially meaningful, and we’ve added even more exciting activities for all ages. It’s a joyful weekend of music, dance, food, and connection that brings people together from all backgrounds.”

“Being here in Monterey and sharing the music, food, and culture of my homeland is a true joy and honor,” said Nursal Matsu, Branch Manager of Fremont Bank in Carmel, co-owner of El Canastón in Salinas, and a guitarist originally from Turkey. This milestone year is especially meaningful, and we've added even more exciting activities for all ages. It's a joyful weekend of music, dance, food and connection that brings people together from all backgrounds. Special thanks go to our Founder and Chair of the Festival, Yavuz Atila, and to our dedicated festival committee for their hard work, as well as to our donors, vendors, artists, musicians and all participants who make this celebration possible.

About the country of Turkey (Türkiye)

Turkey is a stunning and culturally rich country that bridges two continents—Europe and Asia—offering a unique blend of Eastern and Western traditions. Bordered by eight countries and surrounded by the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Seas, Turkey has been a crossroads of civilizations for thousands of years. It was once the heart of powerful empires including the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, and its storied past is reflected in the stunning architecture, ancient ruins, and diverse traditions that define the nation today. From the majestic mosques of Istanbul to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and the turquoise coastline of the Turkish Riviera, Turkey is known for its breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, and deep cultural heritage.

About Monterey’s Sister City in Turkey

Monterey has a sister city relationship with Kuşadası, Turkey. This agreement was formalized in 2012 to foster economic, cultural, and political exchanges. The two cities share common interests like sustainable tourism and cultural history.

Kuşadası is a resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast known for its beaches, marina, and cruise ship port. The relationship between the two cities was initiated by a Turkish individual, Yavuz Atila, who saw similarities between the cities' tourism-based economies and their coastal locations. The sister city relationship was officially established in 2012.

About the Turkish American Association of California (TAAC)

The Turkish Arts & Cultural Festival is organized by the Turkish American Association of California, a California 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible.

The Turkish American Association of California was founded in 1975. Its mission is to:

• Improve and promote public knowledge and understanding of Turkish culture, history, and people
• Foster friendship and communication among the American and Turkish cultures
• Increase the exchange of arts, culture, and cuisine of the United States and Turkey
• Maintain and promote Turkish traditions
• Provide humanitarian assistance to Turks living in the United States and abroad

TAAC’s commitment to community support extends beyond the festival. Over the years, TAAC has organized numerous fundraising efforts to benefit both local and international causes, including:

• Supporting Arts Council for Monterey County programs
• Partnering with Teddy Bears with Heart to bring comfort to children in need
• Responding to the devastating 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye by funding the construction of a kindergarten and, most recently, raising funds for a new computer lab for earthquake-damaged middle and high schools in Hatay, Türkiye
• Contributing to local Food Bank efforts and programs that help women in need

Through these initiatives, TAAC continues to strengthen community ties and extend a helping hand wherever it is needed.