Is Christmas Celebrated in Turkey?

Christmas is one of the biggest Christian holidays celebrated across the world However, Turkey, despite being a secular country, does not officially recognize or celebrate Christmas as a public holiday This is because Turkey has a Muslim-majority population. Only around 0.2% of Turks identify themselves as Christians. So is Christmas celebrated at all in Turkey? Let’s take a deeper look.

A Brief History of Christianity in Turkey

Christianity has a long history in Turkey, previously known as Anatolia Some of the earliest Christian communities were established in ancient cities like Ephesus and Antioch The biblical figure St. Paul was born in Tarsus, Turkey. Several apostles spread the religion in the region.

By the 4th century AD, Anatolia had a significant Christian population. It was the birthplace of influential figures like St. Nicholas of Myra, the inspiration behind Santa Claus. However, the rise of the Islamic Ottoman Empire from the 11th century led to a decline in the Christian population over the next several centuries.

The Ottoman authorities banned open celebrations of Christmas and other Christian festivals. Many churches were converted into mosques. After the founding of modern Turkey in 1923, restrictions on Christians were lifted. But the damage was already done. Christians today comprise less than 0.5% of Turkey’s population.

Do Turks Celebrate Christmas?

For the vast majority of Turkish Muslims, Christmas is not an important religious event. December 25 is a regular working day in Turkey, unlike other secular countries where it is a public holiday. The Turkey Traveler estimates that only 0.2% of Turks actually celebrate Christmas.

However, some traditions associated with Christmas are still maintained in Turkey, especially for commercial reasons. Shops and malls in cities like Istanbul are decorated with Christmas trees, lights and ornaments during December. Santa Claus figures can be seen at stores and markets. But these are targeted more at foreign tourists than local Turks.

According to Uniland Tours, Christmas is also celebrated by Turkey’s small Christian minorities – Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians. They attend special church services and follow religious rituals on Christmas Eve and Day. Families get together for Christmas meals and exchange gifts. But these celebrations are generally low-key.

Christmas Traditions in Turkey

• Christmas Trees and Decorations: Christmas trees are popular decor items in December, especially in Istanbul. Wreaths, fairy lights, and Santa Claus figures are also displayed at homes, offices, shops, restaurants and hotels.

• Christmas Markets: Vibrant Christmas markets open in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir during December. Visitors can buy handicrafts, ornaments, food items and gifts at these markets.

• Santa Claus: Santa Claus is known as Noel Baba in Turkey. Unlike the Western tradition, Turkish children believe he brings gifts on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas.

• Food: Christians in Turkey enjoy festive meals with dishes like stuffed vine leaves, baklava, kolonya, keşkek soup. Traditional Christmas items like roast turkey are also popular.

• Midnight Mass: One of the most important Christmas rituals is the Midnight Mass service held on Christmas Eve in churches all over Turkey.

• New Year’s Celebrations: While Christmas itself is low-key, New Year’s Eve is enthusiastically celebrated across Turkey with fireworks, music, parties and public events.

Best Places to Visit in Turkey at Christmas

• Istanbul – The country’s largest city is decorated with lights and Christmas trees. Major events like markets, concerts and festivals are held here.

• Cappadocia – Hot air balloon rides over the snow-covered rock valleys provide a magical experience.

• Ephesus – The ancient Greco-Roman city contains the supposed house where the Virgin Mary lived. Special musical shows are performed here at Christmas.

• Antalya – Turkey’s Mediterranean coast offers sunny weather and Christmas markets at Kaleiçi Harbor.

• Gallipoli – Visit the World War I memorial and pay respects to soldiers on Christmas Day.

To summarize, Christmas is not an official public holiday in Turkey due to its Muslim majority population. Only a tiny fraction of Turkish citizens actually celebrate it. But the holiday season is still marked with Christmas trees, decorations and markets aimed at tourists, especially in Istanbul. For Turkish Christians, Christmas is a time for religious services, family gatherings and traditional food. While celebrations are low-key, the New Year is welcomed more enthusiastically across the country.