During the summer season, there are a series of concerts in Cesme at the Çeşme Amphitheatre (Çeşme Açıkhava Tiyatrosu), which is the main concert venue in the town, attracting the most famous Turkish and occasionally international entertainment acts. The arena was constructed in the 1960s when many open-air theatres were built in Turkey to promote cultural activities and provide venues for live performances. Its design is inspired by ancient Greek and Roman theatres, featuring a semi-circular seating arrangement that enhances acoustics and provides an intimate viewing experience for the audience. Over the years, the amphitheatre has become integral to Çeşme’s cultural landscape, hosting various events and performances.
Location: Çeşme Açıkhava Tiyatrosu – İsmet İnönü Mh, 2053. Sk. 2A, 35930 Çeşme/İzmir
About Çeşme Amphitheatre
The Çeşme Amphitheatre is a 5,000-guest capacity open-air performing arts theatre located on top of the hill to the southeast of the centre of the town. The venue frequently hosts diverse entertainment acts from June to October each year, including famous Turkish singers and bands, cultural and classical dance, stand-up comedians, presentations and performances from overseas artistic ensembles.
Built into the hillside to the southeast of the town centre of Çeşme, the seating has views across the Aegean to the street lights of Chios, Greece, in the west and the blinking red glow of the wind turbines on the Karaburun peninsular.
Çeşme Amphitheatre Concert Dates
The summer 2025 season dates will be updated when published by the theatre, probably in late spring 2025.
The summer 2024 season included:
| Date | Act |
|---|---|
| 22 June 2024 | Buena Vista All Stars |
| 28 June 2024 | Yıldız Tilbe |
| 05 July 2024 | Nazan Öncel |
| 06 July 2024 | Sıla |
| 07 July 2024 | Buray |
| 08 July 2024 | Goran Bregovic Wedding & Funeral Band |
| 13 July 2024 | Dolu Kadehi Ters Tut |
| 14 July 2024 | Ajda Pekkan |
| 19 July 2024 | Aleyna Tilki |
| 20 July 2024 | Sertab Erener |
| 27 July 2024 | Koray Avcı |
| 09 August 2024 | Candan Erçetin |
| 11 August 2024 | Ata Demirer Gazinosu |
| 18 August 2024 | Erol Evgin |
| 23 August 2024 | Nilüfer |
| 30 August 2024 | Saatleri Ayarlama Enstitüsü |
Previous Concerts in Cesme at the Amphitheatre
Çeşme Amphitheatre Seating
The semi-circular Çeşme Amphitheatre seating faces the stage positioned on the north side. The VIP/stall seating “Protokol” area is flexible depending on the concert requirements, while the raised seating is divided into blocks A to E. All the sections have permanent bucket seats except block E (high level, unnumbered, least expensive, simple stone step seating. As of July 2024, the individual seating and rows for blocks A to D have not been numbered, only the blocks “Çift” (even/west) and “Tek” (odd/east), which causes some confusion as it is required to count the horizontal and vertical rows to understand the seating arrangement. Generally, all seating provides a good view of the stage, but it is advisable to avoid seating on the extreme east and west wings (A and D sectıons) as the stage equipment can obstruct the view.
Çeşme Amphitheatre Notes on Entry
The main entrance is on the amphitheatre building’s right (west) side, although on busier concerts, they also occasionally open the gate on the left (east) side. Rules will vary over time and depend on the nature of the concert; generally, it should be noted that electronic tickets on mobile are sufficient and scanned at the entrance, and all bags (small bags only permitted) are checked by security. Items such as food and drink may be confiscated; water is allowed only if the bottle cap is sealed (i.e. not partially consumed), while mobile phones are permitted, and “professional” (SLR style) cameras and recording devices are not permitted at all. At most concerts, the dress code is generally flexible, and casualwear is usually acceptable; there is typically a breeze, which makes concerts in the high summer more comfortable; however, it can make concerts in the early/late summer a little chill, so be dressed accordingly. While the seats are reasonably comfortable, you can bring a cushion. A small concession stand inside the arena sells a limited range of beverages and snacks.
Alaçatı Open Air Theatre
There is also the Alaçatı Open Air Theatre, with a capacity of approximately 3,000 guests, located adjacent to the windmills at the entrance to the town on Tokoğlu Mah. Mumcu Cad. Alaçatı.
See also: LikeCesme.com – Festivals & Competitions