Istanbul Dance Festival: Summer Experience 2026

About this event

Istanbul Dance Festival: Summer Experience 2026 is a salsa-inclusive dance festival held from August 26 to 31, 2026, primarily at Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul Asia Airport in Pendik, Istanbul. Organized by Istanbul Dance Festival, this 15th-anniversary edition opens Wednesday at 9:00 PM and ends after Monday’s closing party at 3:00 AM.

Workshops begin Thursday afternoon and continue from Friday through Sunday. The instructor roster includes Luz Fernandez, Fuquan and Candace, Talal, Mert Mertkan, Cindy, Eugene and Elena, Alina Turcan, and Hazal Akyüz. Four halls cover salsa, bachata, kizomba, and Argentine tango and milonga, including salsa workshops, social dancing, and a dedicated salsa hall.

The schedule also features salsa and bachata concerts with live music, nightly shows, and competitions from Friday through Sunday evenings. The welcome party is at Hully’s House Bar Bostancı, while the main program takes place at the Mövenpick. Dancers can also join Thursday’s Bosphorus sunset boat party, plus an optional Monday tour and closing party.

A full pass costs €140, while a social pass costs €120. Pass-and-breakfast accommodation packages are available at the host hotel. The Mövenpick also offers onsite dining and private indoor parking. It is about a five-minute drive from Sabiha Gökçen Airport, and the festival can help arrange airport transfers.