Summer in Kemer isn’t only about sea and sun. The town hosts the long-running Golden Pomegranate (Altın Nar) Culture and Arts Festival, municipal summer concerts and, in September, concerts in the ancient city of Phaselis. This guide summarises Kemer’s summer culture calendar: what to expect, roughly when, and where to find the official programme. Where dates haven’t been confirmed, we say so rather than guess.
Kemer’s summer culture calendar at a glance
| Event | Usual period | 2026 status |
|---|---|---|
| Kemer Golden Pomegranate (Altın Nar) Culture and Arts Festival | June | 2026 programme not officially confirmed |
| Kemer Carnival | Early summer | 2026 date not confirmed |
| Summer evening concerts | July–August | Depends on the municipal programme |
| End-of-summer festivities | September | Depends on the municipal programme |
| Phaselis Festival | September | Held 21–26 September 2026 (16th edition) |
The Golden Pomegranate Festival
Altın Nar (“Golden Pomegranate”) is Kemer’s longest-running cultural event. First held in 1994 and organised by Kemer Municipality, it has grown into the town’s early-summer celebration. Past editions opened with a parade and continued with concert evenings featuring well-known Turkish pop and folk artists. The 15th edition, for example, featured Gülşen, Aleyna Tilki, Koray Avcı, Ali Altay and Volkan Konak at Kemer District Stadium.
We couldn’t find an official source for the 2026 programme. Follow Kemer Municipality’s announcements for the next festival’s dates and line-up. We’ll update this page when they’re published.
Carnival, summer concerts and end-of-summer festivities
Kemer’s summer calendar also includes a carnival, open-air concerts and festivities to mark the end of the season. Dates and content are set each year by the municipality and can change, so wait for the official announcement before building your holiday around a specific concert.
The good news is that Kemer’s summer evenings are lively even without a scheduled event. After sunset, the marina, the seafront promenade and the town centre are the busiest places in town.
September highlight: Phaselis
The most special cultural event comes at the end of the season. The Phaselis Festival offers free concerts in a 2,700-year-old ancient city. In 2026 its four evenings ranged from opera to Sezen Aksu songs and a “Bach to Turkish Music” finale. See our Phaselis Festival guide for details.
Practical tips
- Where to check: official announcements from Kemer Municipality and KETAV
- Open-air concerts: evenings from June to September are warm, but bring a light layer in late September.
- Stay central: staying in central Kemer means you can walk to and from events and avoid late-night transport.
Your summer base: Kemer Royal Beach Hotel
Kemer Royal Beach Hotel is in central Kemer, close to the beach and with a pool: sea and pool by day, the town centre and marina within walking distance at night. Book early for festival periods. Browse our rooms, see current special offers or check availability. For more ideas, read our guide to Kemer festivals.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Golden Pomegranate Festival 2026?
We couldn’t find an official announcement for 2026. We recommend following Kemer Municipality’s announcements.
When did the Golden Pomegranate Festival start?
The festival was first held in 1994.
Are there concerts in Kemer in September?
Yes. The Phaselis Festival offers free concerts in the ancient city each September. In 2026 it ran from 21 to 26 September.
See the year’s events in our Kemer events calendar.
Cover photo: Tanya Dedyukhina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. Adapted with typography.