Turkey in December: Şeb-i Arus, Snow and New Year

Turkey in December brings Şeb-i Arus in Konya, snow on the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and festive New Year evenings in Istanbul. Because it is the start of winter, expect rain in Istanbul and frost inland. Still, the great sights stay open in winter, and the long dinners are warm.

What is the weather like in Turkey in December?

The weather in Turkey in December is wet in Istanbul, cold in Cappadocia and mild on the south coast. These are the long-term averages:

• Istanbul: about 12 °C (54 °F) by day and 6 °C (43 °F) at night. Rain or snow falls on about 16 days.
• Cappadocia (Nevşehir): about 6 °C (43 °F) by day and −1 °C (30 °F) at night. Rain or snow falls on about 12 days.
• İzmir and the Aegean: about 14 °C (57 °F) by day and 8 °C (46 °F) at night. Rain falls on about 13 days.
• Antalya and the south coast: about 17 °C (63 °F) by day and 8 °C (46 °F) at night. Rain falls on about 12 days.

So December is the wettest month of the year in Istanbul, while Antalya still sees mild afternoons. For more on the city in this season, read Istanbul in winter, and for the whole season, read Turkey in winter. For the year as a whole, see also the best time to visit Turkey.

Where to go in Turkey in December

• Konya. In December, the city remembers the poet Rumi with the Şeb-i Arus ceremonies and the whirling dervishes. Visit the Mevlana Museum, his resting place, while you are there.
• Cappadocia. Snow on the rock valleys makes some of the most beautiful photographs of the year. Because winter winds cancel more balloon flights, plan two or three mornings. In the ski season, our Erciyes ski day takes you to the slopes of Mount Erciyes, about an hour away.
• Istanbul. Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the covered bazaars stay open in winter. Then a hammam ends a wet day perfectly. The Süper Lig plays on as well, with Galatasaray vs Rizespor on December 4 and Beşiktaş vs Samsunspor on December 6.
• Kars. In the winter season, the Touristic Eastern Express crosses the plateau from Ankara to Kars, with sleeping cars and a dining car. Our Eastern Express tour in 4 days plans the trip around the train.

What is Şeb-i Arus in Konya?

Şeb-i Arus is the annual commemoration of Rumi’s death in Konya, with sema (the whirling ceremony of the Mevlevi dervishes) ceremonies of the whirling dervishes. In 2026, for example, the 753rd commemoration runs from December 7 to 17. The sema then takes place in the Sema Hall of the Konya Mevlana Cultural Center. Also, the other cultural events of the commemoration are free. Before you go, read more about the whirling dervishes.

Events in December

On New Year’s Eve, Istanbul celebrates with dinners and parties, and fireworks light up the Bosphorus at midnight. Our special event cruises put you on the water for the countdown. January 1 is a public holiday. In 2027, Regaib Kandili falls on December 2 and Mirac Kandili on December 24. Christmas is not a public holiday in Turkey, so museums and shops keep their usual hours. For masses and churches, read Christmas in Istanbul. For the month before, read Turkey in November.

What to pack in December

First, pack a waterproof jacket and shoes with a good grip for Istanbul’s hills. Then add a warm coat, gloves and a hat for Konya and Cappadocia, where nights fall below freezing. For the last night of the year, read New Year’s Eve in Istanbul.

Our suggestion for December

Since December suits all three, combine Konya with Istanbul and Cappadocia in one winter trip. Our Konya and Mevlana tour covers the city of Rumi. After that, our Istanbul and Cappadocia in 5 Days adds the city and the valleys.

Would you like a winter trip with the warmth of Şeb-i Arus and a Bosphorus New Year? Write to us with your December dates. Then we will plan the days and the evenings. Start with a tailor-made trip.