During the summer season, a series of concerts (Çeşme konserleri) takes place in Cesme at the Çeşme Amphitheatre (Çeşme Açıkhava Tiyatrosu), the town’s main concert venue, 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 a range of 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-seat open-air performing arts theatre located on a hill to the southeast of the town centre. The venue frequently hosts diverse entertainment acts from June to October each year, including famous Turkish singers and bands, cultural and classical dance performances, stand-up comedians, and presentations and performances by 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.
2026 Çeşme Amphitheatre Concert Dates (Çeşme konserleri)
The summer 2026 season dates are currently being updated and published by the theatre and ticket distribution organisations (as of May 2026). Below is the current known schedule of performances for this summer:
July 2026 Çeşme Amphitheatre Concerts
| Date | Performance | Type / Description |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Ata Demirer Gazinosu | A hugely popular comedy-musical theatre production by Turkish comedian Ata Demirer, combining stand-up comedy, live music, nostalgic Turkish “gazino” culture and character performances. One of Türkiye’s most successful touring summer stage shows. |
| 24 | Fazıl Say Jazz Quintet | Internationally acclaimed Turkish pianist and composer Fazıl Say performs with his jazz ensemble in a concert blending jazz, classical and Anatolian musical influences. Fazıl Say is one of Türkiye’s best-known musicians internationally. |
| 25 | Zengin Mutfağı (Rich Cuisine) | A famous Turkish theatre play exploring social class divisions and political tensions through the story of staff working in the kitchen of a wealthy family. One of the most respected modern Turkish stage productions. |
| 31 | Aydınlıkevler | A nostalgic and humorous Turkish theatre production focused on middle-class Turkish family life during the 1970s and 1980s. The play combines comedy, family drama and cultural nostalgia. |
All performances on the current 2026 schedule are in Turkish.
August 2026 Çeşme Amphitheatre Concerts
| Date | Performance | Type / Description |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Ölü’n Bizi Ayırana Dek (Til Death Do Us Part) | A contemporary Turkish comedy theatre production centred around relationships, marriage and misunderstandings, presented in a lively and fast-paced stage format popular during Türkiye’s summer theatre season. |
| 08 | Hande Yener – Hande Bizi Sezen’e Götür | Turkish pop singer Hande Yener performs a special concert dedicated to songs associated with legendary Turkish songwriter and singer Sezen Aksu, combining modern stage production with classic Turkish pop repertoire. |
| 12 | Yıldız Tilbe | One of Türkiye’s most iconic singers and songwriters, known for emotional vocals, spontaneous performances and a blend of Turkish pop and arabesque styles. Her concerts attract highly enthusiastic audiences. |
| 14 | Sıla | A leading Turkish pop vocalist and songwriter recognised for sophisticated live arrangements and emotionally driven contemporary Turkish pop music. Sıla is one of the country’s most popular summer touring artists. |
| 15 | Ajda Pekkan | Often referred to as the “Superstar” of Turkish pop music, Ajda Pekkan is one of the country’s most legendary performers, with a career spanning several decades and a catalogue of classic Turkish pop hits. |
| 16 | Cem Adrian | A distinctive Turkish singer-songwriter known for his unusually wide vocal range and atmospheric live performances blending alternative pop, jazz, folk and experimental musical styles. |
| 19 | Levent Yüksel | One of the defining voices of 1990s Turkish pop music, known for melodic ballads and nostalgic Turkish pop classics that remain extremely popular with Turkish audiences today. |
All performances on the current 2026 schedule are in Turkish.
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 devices are sufficient and scanned at the entrance, and all bags (small bags only) 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 casual wear is usually acceptable. There is typically a breeze, which makes concerts in high summer more comfortable; however, it can make concerts in early or late summer a little chilly, so dress accordingly. While the seats are reasonably comfortable, you may want to bring a cushion. A small concession stand located inside the arena offers a limited selection 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
Previous Concerts in Cesme at the Amphitheatre
Completed Concerts 2025
For reference, the summer 2025 season included:
| Date | Act |
|---|---|
| 25 July 2025 | Drakula |
| 26 July 2025 | Ata Demirer Gazinosu 2 |
| 02 August 2025 | Sagopa Kajmer |
| 05 August 2025 | |
| 06 August 2025 | Anadolu Ateşi |
| 08 August 2025 | Gökhan Türkmen |
| 09 August 2025 | Ajda Pekkan |
| 10 August 2025 | Seyfi Bey |
| 12 August 2025 | Aydınlıkevler |
| 15 August 2025 | Cem Adrian |
| 16 August 2025 | Sıla |
| 17 August 2025 | |
| 23 August 2025 | Ati242 |
| 30 August 2025 | Aşkım Kapışmak |
Completed Concerts 2024
For reference, 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 |
FAQ – Çeşme Amphitheatre – Çeşme Konserleri
How do I buy tickets for Çeşme concerts?
Tickets for concerts and performances at the Çeşme Amphitheatre are generally sold online through the Turkish ticketing platforms Biletix, Bubilet and Passo. Most tickets are electronic mobile tickets, which are scanned directly from phones at the entrance to the venue.
How much do tickets cost at the Çeşme Amphitheatre?
Ticket prices at the Çeşme Amphitheatre vary considerably depending on the type of performance, seating section and the popularity of the artist or production. Theatre productions and plays are usually among the least expensive events, often priced at approximately €10-€20 per person.
Turkish pop concerts and larger musical performances are generally priced higher, typically €20-€30, depending on the performer and seating location. Major Turkish stars and occasional internationally recognised acts may reach approximately €40-€50, sometimes more for the better seating sections.
During cultural festivals, municipal celebrations and special summer events, some concerts and performances are occasionally sponsored by the municipality or other organisations. In these cases, certain events may be offered free of charge to the public.
Is there parking at the Çeşme Amphitheatre?
There is no large dedicated public parking area directly at the amphitheatre. During busy concerts, most visitors park along the surrounding streets and roads leading uphill towards the venue. Parking can be difficult during major summer performances, and you may need to walk a short distance to reach the entrance. The venue is within walking distance of the town centre.
Can you bring water into the amphitheatre?
On most occasions, visitors are permitted to bring water into the amphitheatre. Bags are usually searched by security staff at the entrance, and rules can vary slightly depending on the organiser and the nature of the performance. Water can usually be purchased from kiosks within the amphitheatre at a reasonable cost.
Are cameras allowed inside the amphitheatre?
Mobile phones are generally permitted and widely used during concerts. However, security is usually strict regarding cameras and recording equipment. Professional-style cameras and larger camera equipment are typically not permitted inside the venue.
Are the concerts in Turkish?
Yes, the vast majority of concerts, comedy performances and theatre productions at the Çeşme Amphitheatre are conducted in Turkish. Occasionally, there are classical music, ballet, jazz or international performances where language is not an issue. Unless the artist or performers are from overseas, most stage narration and audience interaction will normally be in Turkish.
See also: LikeCesme.com – Çeşme Cinema & Theatre – Çakabey Cultural Centre