Eastern Black Sea summer lives on its highland festivals. Keep this calendar handy when planning your stays — dates follow tradition so they fall in the same week each year.
July
July 20 — Hıdırnebi Highland Festival (Akçaabat, Trabzon)
- Location: Hıdırnebi Highland (1,650 m).
- Date: July 20 annually.
- What: horon dance, tulum music, local food, backgammon tournament.
- Tip: day trip possible from Trabzon centre; if staying the night, book at least a month ahead.
Third Friday — Kadırga Highland Festival (Tonya-Köprübaşı, Trabzon)
- Location: Kadırga Highland (2,000 m), Tonya-Köprübaşı border.
- Date: third Friday of July — July 17 in 2026.
- History: 200+ years old; brings together local obas.
- Warning: accommodation sells out completely. Book 3+ months ahead.
Late July — Ayder Festival (Çamlıhemşin, Rize)
- Location: Ayder centre.
- Date: typically last week of July (check local government announcements).
- What: folklore, local food, live tulum, Hemşin textile exhibition.
August
Mid-August — Anzer Honey Harvest (İkizdere, Rize)
- Location: Anzer Highland.
- What: hive extraction, cooperative event. Tours are limited.
- Tip: contact the cooperative in advance.
Second week — Barhal Festival (Yusufeli, Artvin)
- Location: Barhal (Altıparmak) village.
- What: local music, crafts market, Kaçkar trekking season openers.
Mid-August — Sahara Highland Livestock Fair (Şavşat, Artvin)
- Location: Sahara Highland.
- What: traditional livestock fair; Georgian-Turkish frontier culture.
September
First week — Pokut Photo Meetup (informal, Çamlıhemşin)
- Professional and amateur photographers gather at Pokut + Sal.
- Not formally organised; follow on social media.
Late September — Anchovy Season Opening
- Location: Rize, Trabzon, Ardeşen, Pazar fish markets.
- What: first anchovy stalls, price announcements, promotional cooking.
April-June: Tea harvest
Not a festival, but the most important cultural season:
- 1st flush: mid to late May — highest quality.
- 2nd flush: early to mid July.
- 3rd flush: early September.
Hosting by local families is easiest mid-May to early June.
Booking strategy
- Ayder Festival + Kadırga: same week; pick one.
- Hıdırnebi (July 20): Trabzon centre hotel + day trip is most practical.
- Kadırga (July 17, 2026): book Tonya-Köprübaşı 3 months ahead.
- Sahara Livestock Fair: Şavşat stay easy, 1 month ahead sufficient.
Updated monthly
This calendar is published at the start of the year. Follow local municipalities on social media for updates — we revise this page as news breaks.