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26^th Annual Monterey Turkish Arts & Cultural Festival Launches a New Fun Food Contest

July 27, 2026. Monterey, CA. Here are many new updates! The Turkish American Association of California (TAAC) proudly presents the 26th Annual Monterey Turkish Arts & Culture Festival, taking place Saturday and Sunday, August 29–30, 2026, at the scenic Custom House Plaza in Monterey State Historic Park, adjacent to Old Fisherman's Wharf in historic Monterey. This free, family-friendly celebration showcases the rich traditions of Turkish culture through authentic cuisine, live music and dance performances, Whirling Dervish demonstrations, arts and crafts, cultural exhibits, and activities for all ages.

NEW THIS YEAR! Turkish Festival organizers have launched a delicious new community contest: "What's Your Favorite Turkish Food and Why?"

Food lovers are invited to share, in 50 words or less, which Turkish dish they love most and why. Entries may be submitted at info@turkfestca.org

Three lucky winners will be selected in a random drawing to receive $25 Turkish Arts & Culture Festival Food Vouchers to enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine during the festival weekend of August 28-29, 2026.

The vouchers are redeemable only during the festival. One entry per person only is due via email no later than August 21, 2026. Entry can be emailed to info@turkfestca.org. With your submission, put "Turkish Favorite Food Contest" in the email subject line and with your short 50 words or less submission, include your name, email and phone number. The Turkish Festival team will do a drawing and will let you know if you are one of the lucky three winners and where to pick up your food vouchers.

NEW this year! A unique cultural experience! The festival will be offering two hands-on traditional arts workshops:

· Saturday: Traditional Kilim Weaving Workshop

· Sunday: Traditional Turkish Woodblock Printing Workshop

Participants will be able to learn these traditional art forms during a 60-minute workshop and take home the piece they create for a small participation fee. These workshops will appeal to families, art enthusiasts, and visitors looking for a unique cultural experience. (More details below.)

 

About the food at the Turkish Festival:

Food lovers at the Turkish Festival will have the opportunity to taste Maras Dondurmasi, the famous Turkish ice cream originating from the Kahramanmaras region of Turkey. Made with goat's milk, natural orchid root powder (salep), and mastic, this unique ice cream is known for its rich flavor, elasticity, and entertaining serving style. Unlike ordinary ice cream, Maras Dondurmasi can be stretched, cut with a knife, and enjoyed with a fork.

"Simit Turkish Sesame Bread"- a traditional sesame-crusted bread ring popular throughout Turkey. It needs to be toasted. Simit is very versatile and can be eaten in several ways: Plain — Many people simply enjoy it as a snack with tea. With cheese — Traditionally paired with Turkish white cheese (similar to feta), but cream cheese, mozzarella, or cheddar also work well. With olives and tomatoes — A common Turkish breakfast combination. With jam, honey, or Nutella — For a sweeter option. As a sandwich — Slice it in half and fill it with cheese, vegetables, eggs, or deli meats. 

Another festival highlight will be the opportunity to experience authentic Turkish coffee, recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Prepared using centuries-old brewing methods, Turkish coffee is known for its rich flavor, distinctive presentation, and important role in Turkish hospitality and social life.

Attendees can also enjoy Turkish Delight (Lokum), one of Turkey's most beloved traditional sweets. Available in a variety of flavors, including rose, pistachio, pomegranate, citrus, and walnut, Turkish Delight has been a symbol of Turkish hospitality for generations.

For those interested in cultural traditions, the festival will feature demonstrations of Turkish coffee fortune reading, a popular custom in which symbolic patterns left by coffee grounds are interpreted after the coffee is enjoyed. This entertaining tradition offers visitors a glimpse into one of Turkey' most cherished social customs.

Festival visitors can also enjoy other authentic Turkish cuisine, including kebabs, baklava, savory pastries, regional specialties, and traditional desserts prepared by local Turkish community members and vendors.

Additional Festival Information:

Monterey Turkish Arts & Cultural Festival Celebrates 26 Years of Culture, Food, Music, and Friendship

For twenty-six years, the Monterey Turkish Arts and Cultural Festival has brought together residents and visitors from across California to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Turkey (Türkiye) through music, dance, art, food, and community. This free, family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity to experience the traditions, hospitality, and vibrant spirit of Turkish culture on Monterey's beautiful waterfront.

New and Featured Attractions for 2026

A special highlight of this year's festival will be the appearance of the Whirling Dervishes, who will perform both on Saturday and Sunday. These mesmerizing performances represent one of Turkey's most treasured cultural and spiritual traditions and offer festival visitors a rare opportunity to witness this centuries-old art form.

New this year! Guests will also enjoy live demonstrations of Ebru, the traditional Turkish art of water marbling. A visiting Ebru artist will showcase the intricate process of transforming floating colors into stunning works of art while sharing the history of this unique Turkish art form. Ebru Art is a traditional Turkish art form in which artists create colorful patterns by floating pigments on the surface of water that has been thickened with a natural gum. The designs are then transferred onto paper by carefully laying a sheet on the water's surface. In 2014, UNESCO added Turkish Ebru art to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

New this year! Traditional Kilim Weaving and Woodblock Printing Demonstration: Discover the beauty and symbolism of two of Turkey's oldest artistic traditions through an engaging demonstration of traditional kilim weaving and woodblock printing. Participants will learn how intricate geometric motifs, natural materials, and centuries-old techniques have been used to tell stories, preserve cultural identity, and create functional works of art that continue to inspire contemporary artists today. Nalan Kumlali Atahan is a Turkish American interdisciplinary artist, curator, educator, and cultural project developer whose work preserves and reimagines Anatolian textile traditions while building cultural connections through art and education.  Participants can print authentic Turkish motifs onto 13 × 15-inch natural canvas tote bags using hand-carved wooden printing blocks.  

Participants will be able to learn these traditional art forms during a 60-minute workshop and take home the piece they create for a small participation fee.

New this year! Turkish Carpet Weaving Demonstration:  Turkish carpets are handwoven rugs known for their intricate designs, rich colors, and traditional craftsmanship.

Summary of Festival Activities;

The Monterey Turkish Arts & Cultural Festival will feature:
· Whirling Dervish performances on both festival days
· Live Turkish music and folk-dance performances
· Ebru (Turkish water marbling) art demonstrations
· Traditional Kilim Weaving and Woodblock Printing Demonstration
· Authentic Turkish food and desserts
· Maras Dondurmasi (Turkish ice cream made with goats' milk)
· Turkish coffee demonstrations
· Turkish coffee fortune reading
· Turkish Delight (Lokum) tasting
· Artisan vendors and cultural exhibits
· Family-friendly activities
· Traditional costumes and cultural presentations
· Opportunities to learn about Turkish history, art, and traditions

Building Cultural Bridges Through Community
The Monterey Turkish Festival continues to build cultural bridges by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate Turkish heritage, friendship, and community explained festival organizers. "We are excited to welcome returning guests and first-time visitors for another memorable weekend on Monterey's beautiful waterfront."

Event Information At a Glance:

Dates: Saturday and Sunday, August 29–30, 2026

Time: 

11 am - 7 pm - Saturday, August 29, 2026

11 am - 6 pm - Sunday, August 30, 2026

Location: Custom House Plaza, Monterey, California

Admission: Free

Family Friendly

Information contact: Ilge@medialocate.com

Ilge Karancak (831) 277-2258 (during July)

Saime Matsu: (831) 224-6501 (during August)

For schedules, entertainment updates, contest details, vendor information, sponsorship opportunities, and volunteer opportunities, visit:
Festival Website: https://www.turkfestca.org/
Facebook Community Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/turkfestmonterey/

Visitors are encouraged to follow the festival online for announcements, performance schedules, special guest appearances, contest information, and additional event details as they become available.

About the Turkish American Association of California
The Turkish American Association of California (TAAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Turkish culture, heritage, education, and community engagement through cultural programs, educational initiatives, and public events throughout California. Through the annual Monterey Turkish Festival and related activities, TAAC fosters friendship, cultural understanding, and appreciation of Turkey's rich traditions.

For presentations, photos, sponsorship opportunities, or additional
information, please contact the festival organizers through the festival website. For media interviews, contact Wendy Brickman at (831) 633-4444 or wendybrickman@gmail.com.

More Information: 
Turkish American Association of California (TAAC)Website: https://www.turkfestca.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/turkfestmonterey/