The International Izmir Festival held annually is organised by the Izmir Culture, Art and Education Foundation. Every year in June and July World famous artists, orchestra concerts, ballet, jazz, theatre and groups perform in well known historical places such as The Ephesus Celsus Library, Ephesus Grand Theater and Pergamon’s Akslepion Theater.

Gold Pigeon Music Festival usually held in the last week of June, is a popular contest for amateur and professional Turkish musicians with a range of shows and concerts.

In Selcuk, 20 minutes from the resort of Kusadasi, a Camel Wrestling Festival is held annually in January, usually the Sunday around the 20th, up to 20,000 people attend. The festival coincides with the Camels’ breeding season and thus is not seen at any other time of the year. The action starts around late morning but the crowds arrive earlier for a choice of view. For any kind of good seat the earlier you go the more choice of seat location. It is filling up briskly even at 9 am. Even if it is sunny and bright, it will probably also be muddy and cold (it is mid-winter after all). It may even rain. Attendees are urged to prepare for all of these with very warm clothing and umbrellas.