Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) is Türkiye’s national holiday, marking the proclamation of the Republic on 29 October 1923. In 2026 it falls on a Thursday, with the afternoon of Wednesday 28 October also a public holiday. If you’re visiting Kemer that week, you’ll see the town dressed in red-and-white flags. This guide explains what to expect, how to join in respectfully and what else is on in Kemer that week.
Republic Day 2026 at a glance
- Date: Thursday 29 October 2026 (half-day holiday on the afternoon of 28 October)
- In Kemer: Official ceremony, wreath-laying and evening events. The programme is announced by Kemer District Governorship and Kemer Municipality.
- Also that week: the 17th International Kemer Bocce Tournament (28 October – 2 November)
How Republic Day is celebrated in Kemer
As across Türkiye, the day begins with an official ceremony: wreaths are laid at the Atatürk monument, and schoolchildren and local institutions take part. Kemer’s Republic Square and Atatürk Boulevard in the town centre regularly host the district’s public events. The opening parade of the 2024 World Bocce Championship, for example, followed this route.
Many towns hold lantern processions and concerts in the evening. Kemer’s 2026 evening programme hadn’t been announced at the time of writing. For exact times and any concerts, follow Kemer Municipality’s official channels in the days before the holiday. We’ll update this page when the programme is published.
Visiting during the holiday: what to know
- Flags everywhere: Turkish flags and portraits of Atatürk decorate streets, shops and balconies. It’s a proud, festive day.
- Be respectful at ceremonies: during the national anthem and the moment of silence, people stand still. Visitors are welcome to watch.
- Busier than usual: the holiday is popular for short domestic breaks, so hotels and restaurants can be busier than a normal late-October week.
- Shops and services: official offices close for the holiday. Most tourist-facing shops and restaurants in Kemer stay open.
Why spend late October in Kemer?
- Weather and sea: late October in Kemer usually brings warm, sunny days, and the summer crowds have gone.
- A lively week: the holiday overlaps with an international bocce tournament, and Sea to Sky races earlier in the month.
- Short distances: from central Kemer you can walk to the ceremony area, the marina and the beach.
- Nature and history nearby: ancient Phaselis, Göynük Canyon and Mount Tahtalı are all easy day trips.
Stay in central Kemer
Kemer Royal Beach Hotel is in the centre of Kemer, close to the beach and with a pool, and within walking distance of the town centre and the marina. Browse our rooms, see current special offers or check availability for the holiday week. Arriving by air? Read our Antalya Airport to Kemer guide.
Frequently asked questions
What day is Republic Day 2026?
Thursday 29 October 2026. The afternoon of Wednesday 28 October is also a public holiday.
Are there concerts in Kemer on 29 October?
The 2026 programme hadn’t been announced at the time of writing. Check Kemer Municipality’s announcements. We’ll update this page when details are published.
Is it warm enough to swim in Kemer in late October?
Late October is usually still swimming weather in Kemer, though it’s worth checking the forecast before you travel.
See all the year’s events in our Kemer events calendar.
Cover photo: Tanya Dedyukhina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. Adapted with typography.