Side: Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival
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About this activity
Everything you need to know at a glance
Features & benefits
- Booking Confirmation: — Immediate Approval.
- Voucher Type: — Both Printed and Mobile Accepted.
- Accessibility: — Wheelchair Friendly.
- Online Booking: — Quick, Easy, and Secure.
- Cancellation policy: — Flexible
- Fast-Track Entry: — No Waiting in Line.
When & Where
Highlights
- Evening program of the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival from Side
- Free transfer from Side hotels to the Aspendos Festival
- Unforgettable opera and ballet night at the ancient Aspendos Theatre
- Aspendos experience with ticket and transfer included by Vigo Tours
- Cultural and artistic Aspendos tour from Side
Full Description
International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival
Aspendos Ancient Theatre — Ballet Turkey — Opera Turkey
The International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival offers an extraordinary cultural experience in the unique setting of the 2,000-year-old Aspendos Ancient Theatre.
33rd International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival 2026
The magical atmosphere of the Aspendos Ancient Theatre brings art, history and music together once again.
Festival Dates
12 – 26 September 2026
Venue
Aspendos Ancient Theatre, Serik / Antalya
2026 Festival Program
12 September 2026 Saturday – 21:00
Attila
Opera | 3 acts | 180 minutes
Antalya State Opera and Ballet
15 September 2026 Tuesday – 21:00
Anna Karenina
Ballet | 2 acts | 140 minutes
Antalya State Opera and Ballet
Date to be announced very soon
Spartacus
Ballet | 3 acts | 170 minutes
Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre
Date to be announced very soon
Carmina Burana
Stage Cantata | 1 act | 75 minutes
Antalya State Opera and Ballet
Festival Overview
During the festival, art lovers will enjoy a total of 4 productions and 6 performances, including 1 opera, 2 ballet productions and 1 stage cantata.
Tickets Coming Soon
Ticket sales and ticket options with transfer included will be available very soon at Vigo Tours.
Hotel pickup and drop-off from all hotels is included in the price, allowing guests to enjoy the evening without any transportation concerns.
Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival — September Program
All performances take place at Aspendos Ancient Theatre and begin at 21:00.
Festival Performances
- Turandot — Opera
- Zorba — Ballet
- Swan Lake — Ballet
- Don Quixote — Ballet
- Tosca — Opera
- La Traviata — Opera
A Legendary Festival in a 2,000-Year-Old Theatre
First organized in 1994, the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival is held every September in the breathtaking atmosphere of the ancient Aspendos Theatre. This monumental Roman structure is considered one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the world and is globally renowned for its exceptional acoustics.
Each year, approximately 100,000 art lovers from across the Antalya region attend the festival. A significant portion of the audience consists of foreign visitors who combine their holiday with an unforgettable cultural experience.
Aspendos Theatre — Opera Turkey — Ballet Turkey
The festival is organized by the General Directorate of State Opera and Ballet under the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
It stands among the most prestigious opera and ballet festivals worldwide, both in artistic quality and historical setting.
World-Class Acoustics and Artistic Excellence
What makes the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival truly exceptional is the extraordinary acoustic quality of the ancient theatre. Classical music and vocal performances can be heard with the same clarity and depth from every seat, without artificial amplification.
This unique acoustic environment attracts internationally renowned conductors, choreographers, directors, and soloists, making the festival a focal point of global interest in the world of opera and ballet.
International Recognition and Cultural Prestige
The Aspendos Festival is a member of the European Festivals Association and is the first and only opera and ballet festival to receive the Best Quality Management Certificate.
As a true meeting point of civilizations, the festival has hosted countless Turkish and international artists, bringing together lovers of classical music, opera, and ballet in the magical setting of Aspendos.
An Unforgettable Cultural Experience
Watching timeless masterpieces of opera and ballet under the stars, surrounded by ancient stone walls that have stood for two millennia, creates an atmosphere unlike any other cultural event in the world.
The Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival is not just a performance — it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the performances take place
All performances are held at Aspendos Ancient Theatre.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included
Yes — pickup and drop-off from all hotels is included in the price.
What time do the performances start
All performances start at 21:00.
What type of performances are included
The festival features world-famous operas and classical ballet productions performed by leading artists of Opera Turkey and Ballet Turkey.
Is the festival suitable for foreign visitors
Yes — the festival is highly popular among international guests, and the performances transcend language through music, movement, and visual storytelling.
Why is Aspendos Theatre so special
Aspendos Theatre is globally famous for its perfect natural acoustics and exceptional state of preservation, offering an unmatched opera and ballet experience.
Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival or Fire of Anatolia Show?
The Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, held every September for over 30 years, is perfect for visitors who enjoy classical music, opera, and ballet in the unique setting of the ancient Aspendos Theatre.
Fire of Anatolia, performed throughout the summer season, offers a high-energy show with traditional Turkish dances, impressive choreography, and spectacular stage effects.
Choose the Opera and Ballet Festival for a refined cultural experience, or Fire of Anatolia for an exciting and entertaining evening. For most visitors, Fire of Anatolia is the more popular and accessible option.
5 Good Reasons to Experience Opera and Ballet in Aspendos
1. It is not just a show, it is a night inside history
Watching opera or ballet in Aspendos is very different from seeing a performance in a modern hall. The ancient stone theatre, open-air setting and evening atmosphere give the event a powerful sense of place.
2. Aspendos makes every performance feel more impressive
The stage, the lights, the music and the historical surroundings create a special mood that is hard to find anywhere else. In Aspendos, the venue becomes part of the performance.
3. It adds something unforgettable to your Antalya holiday
Many visitors come to Antalya for the sea, sun and hotels. An evening at Aspendos offers something different: culture, elegance and a memorable experience beyond the usual holiday routine.
4. Famous works become more powerful in this ancient setting
Productions such as Attila, Anna Karenina, Spartacus and Carmina Burana feel even more dramatic in the atmosphere of Aspendos Ancient Theatre. The setting gives these performances extra depth and emotion.
5. Ticket options with transfer make the evening easy
With Vigo Tours, guests can join Aspendos opera and ballet events more comfortably with ticket options including transfer. No need to worry about transport, parking or the return journey after the performance.
What's included
- Pick up from hotels and drop off at hotels
- Entrance ticket (category 2)
What's not included
- Food - Drinks and personal expenses
Meeting Point
Pick Up Place
Departure zone
Know Before You Go
ASPENDOS OPERA AND BALLET FESTIVAL — IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION
The Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival is organized with pickup and drop-off included from all hotels in Side, Alanya, Antalya, Belek, and Kemer.
All performances start at 21:00.
Seating surface — concrete — stone — marble
Seating arrangement — unnumbered — free seating
As seating at the Aspendos Ancient Theatre is made of stone and marble, bringing a small cushion is recommended for your comfort.
Additional information
Tour Program — Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival
Pick-up and drop-off locations — all hotels in Side, Alanya, Antalya, Belek, and Kemer
Featured performances — Aida (Opera) — Swan Lake (Ballet)
Pick-up times may vary.
The exact pick-up time will be confirmed one day before the event and sent by e-mail.
Hotel pick-up times — approximate
Side — from 18:45
Alanya — from 17:30
Belek — from 19:30
Antalya — from 18:30
Kemer — from 17:30
Bus transfer to the Ancient Theatre of Aspendos
Entrance to the theatre — 20:30
Aspendos Opera and Ballet performance begins — 21:00
End of the event and return to hotels — between 23:30 and 00:00
Period & Price
Customer Reviews 27
Reviews from our guests
Questions Recently Asked 4
Frequently asked questions about this tour
Hello, thank you for your inquiries about the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival. The program for 2024 has not been announced yet, but it is expected to be released in June. Please check our website for updates. The dates you mentioned typically mark the end of the opera festival, but we will have to wait and see the specifics of the 2024 program. Best regards, Vigo Tours.
Hello, thank you for inquiring about the Aspendos opera and ballet festival. The program you see on our website is for 2023. The program for 2024 has not been announced yet, but it will most likely be announced in June. AIDA will be part of the 2024 program, as it is every year, but we do not have the specific date yet. Please continue to check our website for updates. We would be delighted to assist you in obtaining tickets for the AIDA opera at the Aspendos ancient theater. Best regards, Vigo Tours.
Greetings, we appreciate your interest in the Aspendos opera and ballet festival. The schedule displayed on our website is for the year 2023. The program for 2024 has not yet been unveiled, but we anticipate it will be announced in June. AIDA is a staple of the festival's lineup each year, including in 2024, although the exact date has not been confirmed. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website regularly. We are happy to help you secure tickets for the AIDA opera at the historic Aspendos theater. Warm regards, Vigo Tours.
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Side: Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival
Pick-up and drop-off from all hotels and central points in Side and the entrance ticket for the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival are included in the price.