It is the sixth year this increasingly popular festival will again be held at one of downtown Chicago's busiest squares, right across from City Hall on the block of Washington Street between Clark and Dearborn.

The Festival will be open to general public free of charge from 10 AM to 6 PM CST. Free live performances will take place between noon and 2 PM at the Daley Plaza stage every day.

This year's Festival will once again feature demonstrations of art, film, dance, music and gourmet food, where Chicagoans will get the opportunity to celebrate, learn, and savor Turkish hospitality, culture, heritage and cuisine.

Without leaving the comfort of Daley Plaza, visitors will vividly experience Istanbul and various regions of Turkey together with the participants from Turkey and Turkish-Americans living in the culturally diverse community of Chicago. Visitors will be able to browse and buy Turkish products, souvenirs and handicrafts, find travel information, participate in activities for children, view many authentic demonstrations and performances, sample Turkish cuisine, and do much, much more at the Festival.

When you arrive at Daley Plaza, you will find thousands of visitors browsing through over 40 Festival booths and enjoying the festival's events on daily basis. At the festival you will be able to:

  • Enter the Plaza through the doors of a traditional Safranbolu House and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of Istanbul and Chicago side by side;
  • Enjoy live mid-day (12:00-2:00 pm, 10:30AM-1PM on May 30) fashion show of traditional and modern Turkish couture and textiles, memorable performances of Turkish folk dances, Mevlana's Whirling Dervishes, authentic Turkish music, and the Ottoman Military Army Band;
  • Watch the artistic demonstrations of silk carpet weaving, paper marbling, calligraphy, illuminations, ceramic art, and more;
  • Shop for hand-made Pasabahce glassware, Iznik ceramics and pottery, Turkish rugs, throws, bags, decorative pillows, traditional jewelry, handicrafts, and more;
  • View the exhibit in the lobby of City Hall displaying the work of Turkish photographers and showcasing the history and beauty of Istanbul;
  • Enjoy the aromas and tastes of rich Ottoman Turkish cuisine, sample gourmet food from restaurant and grocery stands, including kabobs, doner sandwiches, vegetable and meat dishes, desserts, baklava, Turkish delight, apricots, hazelnuts, figs, and much more;
  • Taste some popular Turkish culinary delights, have a slice of our unique Kahraman Maras orchid ice cream which once again we expect to serve more than 1,000 gallons, or sip a cup of Turkish coffee of which more than 10,000 cups are served throughout the Festival;
  • Let your kids enjoy all sorts of activities from the shadow theater, clowns, story telling, coloring, face painting and games to Turkish cotton candy, special Turkish waffle treats, delights, and more;
  • The event will be broadcast on a number of US and Turkish channels, introducing Turkey and its culture to more than 10 million American viewers.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to savor Turkish culture and cuisine, so mark your calendars today!

You can advertise in the Festival Booklet and reach thousands of visitors. Please click for details and pricing.

To Volunteer at Daley Plaza during the Festival days please fill out the Volunteer Form. Thank you!


American, Turkish and Chicago Flags at Daley Plaza

Restaurant Booths at Daley Plaza
"Under the Picasso"

Festival Booths at Daley Plaza
"Under the Picasso"