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Venues across Istanbul · December 24–25, 2026

Christmas in Istanbul 2026: church services and festive streets

Dates
December 24–25, 2026
Venue
Venues across Istanbul

Christmas falls on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 December 2026. In Türkiye 25 December is an ordinary working day, so museums, shops and public transport keep their normal hours, while Istanbul's churches hold Christmas services and the city is already lit up for the New Year. St. Anthony of Padua on İstiklal Avenue, Istanbul's largest Catholic church, holds Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses, in past years in several languages.

Dates: December 24–25, 2026 · Book your stay →

Where to stay

From Hotel Marius in Sirkeci, St. Anthony's is about 30 minutes away: walk over the Galata Bridge to Karaköy (about 15 minutes at a brisk pace), take the historic Tünel funicular up to Beyoğlu, then walk about 10 minutes along İstiklal Avenue (brisk pace). Mass times change every year, so check the church's December announcement before you go. In Türkiye the decorated tree and the lights belong to the New Year rather than to Christmas, so from early December Beyoğlu and the shopping streets look festive. Breakfast is included and the front desk is staffed 24 hours, so a late return after midnight mass is no problem.

Stay at Hotel Marius

For Christmas in Istanbul 2026: church services and festive streets, stay with us. Hotel Marius is a boutique hotel in Sirkeci, in the heart of Istanbul's old city: 50 m from the Marmaray and the tram, rooms cleaned every day, a quiet lobby and a front desk staffed around the clock — a comfortable, safe base to come back to. Breakfast is included, and booking direct costs no extra fee.

  • Booked directly — no middleman, no booking fee
  • Free cancellation up to 5 days before check-in (flexible rate)
  • Breakfast included in every room
  • 24-hour front desk, we answer in person

Dates: December 24–25, 2026

  • Superior Double / Twin20 m² · Double or twin beds from about €108 per night Check availability
  • Deluxe Double23 m² · Double or twin beds from about €120 per night Check availability
  • Deluxe Triple25 m² · Double bed & sofa bed from about €133 per night Check availability

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Event details come from the organisers; please check the official source before travelling.