In Giresun the festival calendar is tightly bound to the season. There is almost no activity in winter; the real movement is in spring and summer. Below I have listed the province's main festivals by month. As the dates change from year to year, it is safest to call the relevant municipality or the governorate before you go.
May: the Aksu Festival
The province's oldest and largest event is the Aksu Festival, usually held in the second half of May. Its origins go back to old spring and fertility rituals around Giresun Island. During the festival boat trips are run to the island, traditional rituals are seen around the "Hamza Stone", and there are concerts and events in the city centre. For anyone who wants to see the island, it is the liveliest time of the year.
June-August: highland festivals
Through the summer, festivals are held in the highlands one after another. The best known is the Kümbet Highland Festival, usually in July, which draws large crowds. Bektaş, Kulakkaya and the surrounding highlands also have their local days in the summer months. These festivals bring together horon dancing, the kemençe, local food and a market. The dates change every year; as the highland road gets busy, it is worth setting out early.
August: the Kuşköy Whistled Language Festival
Held every late summer in Kuşköy, part of Çanakçı, this festival keeps alive the UNESCO-protected "whistled language" tradition. It is a special event where whistling from one side of the valley to the other is demonstrated and competitions are held. As it is hard to see the tradition alive outside the festival, anyone interested in the whistled language should follow its dates.
Autumn: hazelnut and harvest
August and September are the time of the hazelnut harvest, and this period is experienced less as a formal festival and more as an intensity that spreads across the whole region. Some districts hold post-harvest culture days and local produce markets. For anyone who wants to see how the hazelnut is picked and processed, early September is a good time.
Dates change, so confirm
None of the festivals here has a fixed calendar day; they shift with the weather, local government decisions and seasonal conditions. Before you set out, confirm that year's exact date with the relevant municipality. As accommodation fills quickly during festival weeks, it is a good idea to book ahead.
On the map
You can see the festival stops on the map and plan your route around whatever event is on.
Open the guide