Are you planning an Istanbul New Year’s Eve for 31 Dec. 2024, with your friends and family together? And you wonder what to do on New Year’s Eve in Istanbul, one of Europe’s biggest party cities? Here we put together all the necessary information and ideas to make you plan a perfect New Year’s Eve in Istanbul to see the city light up for this special night, with superb meals and parties, fireworks, cruises and more lasting into the early hours of 2024 through 2025. Below we put together the top New Year’s Eve activities in Istanbul in 2024.
No Regrets Bosphorus NYE Cruises
Below is our recommended and top selling Bosphorus NYE Cruises with Entertainment offered by Viator and Getyourguide.
You can check the programs, read the comments and decide which to choose as all of them are quality and trusted ones. If they fail you, they’d loose their ranking so we believe you’ll get the best service.
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- Bosphorus New Year Party on Luxury Yacht (has badge of excellence, from $295.34)
- New Year Eve Luxury Yacht Cruise and Party in Istanbul Bosphorus (special offer, from $284.40)
- Bosphorus New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise Party in Istanbul (special offer, from $266.90)
- Istanbul New Year’s Eve Dinner and Party Cruise on the Bosphorus (good one, from $295.34)
- New Year’s Eve Bosphorus Cruise with Dinner Option (special offer, from € 93.75)
- Istanbul New Year’s Party Cruise With Gala Dinner Drinks (special offer, from € 170)
- Bosphorus New Year’s Eve Cruise & Private Table (good one, from € 235)
- New Years Eve Dinner Cruise Party & Private Table (good one, from € 180)
- Istanbul: New Year’s Party Cruise with Buffet and Drinks (good one, from € 272)
- Istanbul: New Year’s Eve Cruise Between Two Continents (good one, from € 350)
1. General info and advice on what to do in Istanbul for New Year’s Eve 2024
– In Istanbul, the new year’s eve can be both expensive with parties and programs at the restaurants, hotels and clubs or cheap on similar budget places and at the famous streets and squares.
– Like in all over the world, the New Year tree is part of the festivities and locals exchange gifts in between their friends and families.
– Majority of the locals prefer to spend the evening at home with their friends and families, have a New Year dinner, watch TV shows and than go out for street parties about 1 hour before the midnight.
– You should make sure to check availability and book in advance to make the most of Istanbul’s New Year’s Eve celebrations and festivities, as the spaces are often limited.
– For the ones who want to party for all night long, than we recommend you find and book a nice restaurant, cafe, bar and club proposing NYE dinner and party.
– It will be a busy time so you should also make sure to buy your attraction tickets online to save money and avoid lines, as well as book your hotel or hostel in advance.
– You should be aware of your stuff if you will spend the night with the street shows and concerts, at the famous and popular streets and squares, to avoid pickpocket and abuse, like in many metropolitan cities in the world.
– For the ones who want to spend the night outdoors with crowds and street parties, than we recommend Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Ortakoy, Nisantasi, Bagdat Street or Kadikoy.
2. Top things to do on New Year’s Eve in Istanbul
There are plenty of things to do in Istanbul on New Year’s Eve 2024, that include watching the fireworks along the Bosphorus shores, or on a Bosphorus cruise, celebrate the night at one of the many great Istanbul clubs, or see the magical city light up at midnight with a New Year’s Eve meal in a top Istanbul restaurant with a view.
3. Istanbul New Year’s Eve Weather
It can be cold but not freezing during NYE in Istanbul. You can experience rain. It didn’t snow in the previous years in the NYE. Average temperature is 10°C and precipitation 123 mm.
We recommend you to bring a winter coat or a decent jacket, a scarf and a portable umbrella. Also take sweater for some warmer places.
The days are still short but started to get longer, the sun set around 18:30. (Average Max Temp.: 11°C – Average Max Temp.: 5°C)
Istanbul 5 Days Weather Forecast
4. Istanbul New Year’s Eve fireworks
The New Year’s Eve fireworks of Istanbul will sure light up the beautiful Bosphorus with a dazzling spectacle of pyrotechnics. You can be the part of the celebrations on the night and enjoy the fireworks along the many places situated by the Bosphorus shores.
Istanbul NYE Cruise Party on the Bosphorus with views of the fireworks
Taking a boat cruise on the Bosphorus to celebrate the NYE is one of the best ways to enjoy NYE in Istanbul. You can watch the NYE fireworks and enjoy the NYE dinner and live entertainment with the stunning views of Istanbul as you welcome 2025. Typical NYE cruise party goes for about 6 hours.
Highlights: Hassle-free round-trip transfer from your hotel, Celebrating NYE on the Bosphorus, Enjoy unlimited food and drinks, Watch traditional shows by belly dancers and Turkish folk dancers, Watch the fireworks on deck, Toast champagne at midnight
Book in advance these recommended Bosphorus NYE cruises
We put together the best Istanbul NYE Bosphorus Cruise parties, organized by registered and trusted suppliers.
You’ll be guaranteed with the best price regarding the quality of service. You can read the reviews and decide. You’ll have flexibility with the booking cancellation with full refund without dealing with the tour operator. You’ll avoid yourself from all the hassle of arranging your flights, accommodation, entrance fees, taxes.
Note: You should make sure to check availability and book in advance to make the most of Istanbul’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, as the spaces are often limited.
Typical 2025 New Year’s Eve Menu
- Welcome cocktail: Carrot cucumber slices with lemon sauce, Mixed nuts basket, Chips
- Cold Starters: Feta cheese, Cheddar cheese, Tomato and cucumber, Olive oil leaf wrap, Mixed eggplant pepper roast, Coriander barren, Potato salad with soy sauce, American salad, Cheese with haydari
- Hot Starters: Pastrami pastry, Potato croquettes
- Main Dish (choose one from): Beef medallion and stuffed rice, Mixed grill and stuffed rice puree garnish, Grilled fish and vegetable puree arugula garnish, Vegetarian menu (vegetable saute with curry sauce and ginger)
- Seasonal salad, Dessert and fruit
- At midnight: caviar canapes on the terrace with a Champagne toast
1. Istanbul: New Year’s Eve Cruise Between Two Continents
Celebrate the New Year with a 3-course feast of Turkish cuisine, Dj, and dance show on an all-inclusive Bosphorus dinner cruise. Soak up the atmosphere as whirling dervishes, belly dancers, and folk dancers strut their stuff. Experience Istanbul at night as you cruise past the illuminated city skyline and admire landmarks including the Dolmabahce Palace and the Bosphorus Bridge.
Tuck into a delicious meal with 3 main course options to choose from including grilled fish, marinated grilled chicken breast, and grilled meatball all served with arugula salad, onion, and lemon. Enjoy hot and cold starters and traditional Turkish desserts. Toast the New Year with champagne at midnight and a special New Year dance show.
2. Bosphorus New Year Party on Luxury Yacht in Istanbul
See the glittering spires and minarets of Istanbul glide by as you feast on Turkish cuisine on this classic Bosphorus dinner cruise. As the sun sets, enjoy traditional entertainment, including belly dancing, folk music, and an Anatolian folklore show, washed down with coffee or tea. There’s no need to navigate Istanbul independently: your package includes 2-way transfers from centrally located hotels (European side only).
The meeting point is : ”KARAKÖY SEHIR HATLARI (Karaköy Pier)” Our company representative will be holding a board on which ”BOSPHORUS TOURS ISTANBUL EXPRESS TRAVEL” is written. You are kindly requested to come to the meeting point 20 minutes before the cruise departure time.
3. Istanbul: New Year’s Party Cruise with Buffet and Drinks
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with an unforgettable cruise on the Istanbul Bosphorus. Eat and drink your fill and watch live performances as you drift across the Bosphorus Strait. Be picked up from you hotel and board your boat. Kick off the night with a cocktail, then dance on deck as you enjoy stunning views of palaces, bridges, and mansions that line the water’s edge.
Watch performances by traditional dancers and relax over a sumptuous buffet dinner with unlimited drinks. See the stars come out over the city and watch a midnight firework display. Gaze in wonder at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge which connects Asia to Europe. Dine on traditional Turkish appetizers, spring rolls with cheese, fresh seasonal salad, roasted turkey with rice, mixed fruits, and dessert.
4. Istanbul New Year’s Eve 2024 Dinner and Party Cruise on the Bosphorus
How about having fun with an unforgettable night in 2023? They bring you Turkish cuisine with their unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks open bar and a dinner menu special for the New Year. Turkish dances, including belly dance, and you will encounter many surprises. You will watch the fireworks show while sipping your champagne on board.
Pick up is included from hotels located in the Old City and Taksim areas. Please ask for availability for hotels located in other zones.
5. Istanbul: New Years Eve Dinner Cruise Party & Private Table
Enjoy a Christmas celebration on the Bosphorus with fireworks display for an unforgettable experience. Climb aboard a pleasure boat for a luxurious cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, while feasting on a 3 course menu of Turkish meze and local drinks. Sail past some of Istanbul’s greatest monuments, while watching traditional entertainment along the way.
Following a pickup from your hotel, transfer to the yacht for the start of your journey. Receive a welcome cocktail on deck as you begin to sail as far as the Black Sea. Cruise between Europe and Asia, passing under the Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmed Bridge.
See the summer palaces of the Ottoman sultans, such as Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace and Beylerbeyi Palace. Admire the grand Ottoman fortifications of Rumeli Castle and Anatolian Castle. Soak up some of Istanbul’s legendary nightlife as you pass famous nightclubs such as Reina and Sortie. Marvel at the waterside mansions and villas that line the European and Asian coasts.
As you taste typical meze dishes, be entertained by live folk dances from different regions of Turkey. Be seduced by the sensual moves of a belly dancer, and relax to international music by the on-board DJ. Back on dry land, enjoy a free shuttle transfer back to your hotel.
6. Istanbul Bosphorus New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise Party
Celebrate New Years in style with an open bar on a Bosphorus dinner cruise. Watch the fireworks from the boat as you enjoy a Turkish dinner and belly dance, folk dance, and DJ performances. Sip champagne and take in views of Istanbul from the water as you welcome the new year.
Hassle-free pickup and drop-off from centrally-located hotels. Savor an open bar with unlimited alcohol. Watch the fireworks from a Bosphorus boat. Enjoy DJ and dance performance on board.
7. Bosphorus New Year’s Eve Cruise & Private Table
Enjoy a captivating New Year’s Eve dinner cruise along the Bosphorus in Istanbul! Set sail on a luxurious yacht and revel in a delightful Turkish Folk Dancing performance. Savor unlimited soft drinks while taking in iconic landmarks like the Dolmabahçe Palace, the Galata Tower, and the Bosphorus Bridge.
Choose between convenient tour packages with or without hotel pickup and drop-off at select locations in Istanbul. Opt for the inclusive option to be comfortably transported to the boat in an air-conditioned van.
You also have the flexibility to select from tour packages with or without unlimited alcoholic drinks. Indulge in a delectable 2024 New Year’s Eve menu as you celebrate this special evening in style!
8. New Year Eve Luxury Yacht Cruise and Party in Istanbul
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with an unforgettable cruise on the Luxury Yacht on the Bosphorus, and experience Istanbul at its most Popular New Year celebration. Kick off the night with a cocktail, then dance on deck as you enjoy stunning views of the palaces, bridges, and mansions that line the water’s edge.
Watch performances by traditional dancers and relax over sumptuous Yummy Snacks and unlimited drinks. See the stars and Fireworks come over the city, then enjoy front seats for a remarkable midnight firework display that’s truly once a life time experience.
The meeting point is: ”KARAKÖY SEHIR HATLARI (Karaköy Pier)” Our company representative will be holding a signboard on which ”BOSPHORUS TOURS ISTANBUL EXPRESS TRAVEL” is written. You are kindly requested to come to the meeting point 20 minutes before the cruise departure time.
9. Istanbul New Year’s Party Cruise With Gala Dinner Drinks
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with an unforgettable cruise on the Istanbul Bosphorus. Experience Istanbul at its most romantic. Eat and drink your fill and watch live performances as you drift across the Bosphorus Strait.
You will be amazed by the fascinating view of Istanbul at night.Sail past the summer residences of the Ottoman sultans like Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, and Beylerbeyi Palace. Admire the grand Ottoman fortifications of Rumeli Castle and Anatolian Castle.
Be picked up from you hotel and board your boat (if selected). Kick off the night with a cocktail, then dance on deck as you enjoy stunning views of palaces, bridges, and mansions that line the water’s edge.
Watch performances by traditional dancers and relax over a sumptuous buffet dinner with unlimited drinks. See the stars come out over the city and watch a midnight firework display. Gaze in wonder at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge which connects Asia to Europe.
10. New Year’s Eve Bosphorus Cruise with Dinner Option
Enjoy magical views of Istanbul from the Bosphorus Strait on this New Year’s Eve yacht trip. Sip on unlimited soft drinks while seeing the city’s sights and watching traditional Turkish dancing. Opt to include dinner, unlimited alcoholic drinks, and/or hotel transfers to complete your experience.
Depending on the option you choose, either make your way to the pier to board the yacht or get picked up at your hotel from select locations in Istanbul. With the latter, enjoy being transported to the boat in an air-conditioned van.
Once aboard, set sail and prepare for a stylish New Year’s Eve celebration. Take in views of Istanbul’s landmarks like Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, and the Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges.
During the cruise, watch live entertainment like Turkish folk dancing, Latin flamenco dancing, and a DJ. Gaze out the window at the Maiden’s Tower, which has stood since the medieval Byzantine period, and the imposing Galata Tower.
Savor unlimited soft drinks with all tour options, and upgrade to include unlimited alcoholic drinks too. If you select a dinner option, dine on your tasty food as you cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. At midnight, enjoy caviar canapes with a Champagne toast as the city’s fireworks display begins.
Other ways to see Istanbul’s New Year’s Eve fireworks
– Party through the popular restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs of Istanbul and end the year on a high with dinner, music and dance; especially the ones situated through the Bosphorus shores to enjoy the prime views of the Istanbul fireworks from the outdoor spaces.
– Enjoy the night on the districts situated on the Bosphorus shores such as Galata, Karakoy, Taksim, Besiktas or Ortakoy to see the amazing views of the Istanbul New Year’s Eve fireworks.
– There are also many viewpoints that you can enjoy the Istanbul NYE Fireworks with panoramic views of the city, from historic places like towers, mosques and palaces, to rooftop terraces to groves and hilltops. See top places for the best views of Istanbul.
5. Restaurants & Clubs for NYE dining & partying
*** Live Offers ***
Restaurants for a special night
Many of the Istanbul restaurants offer a special NYE menu for their guests with fixed price, and include shows, fun and music. See Best Istanbul Restaurants
Rooftop Terraces to welcome the New Year
There’s nothing better than to enjoy the Istanbul’s NYE evening in one of the best terrace or rooftop restaurant or bar, in the company of panoramic views of the city. See best rooftop restaurants and bars in Istanbul.
Bars & Pubs for a lively night
You can find the best bars in Istanbul that you may spend great times with your family or friends from our Best Istanbul Bars page. Irish Pubs also offer lively and very friendly atmosphere and Istanbul also has great ones. You can find them from our Best Istanbul Irish Pubs page.
6. Istanbul Clubs to celebrate New Year’s Eve
For the ones who look for dance and fun the night away in Istanbul’s NYE, we can say that majority of the Istanbul clubs organize NYE parties. There’s plenty on offer and we highly recommend buying tickets in advance. See Best Istanbul Night Clubs
7. Day and evening NYE Istanbul ideas
– Enjoy a morning historical stroll in Sultanahmet and enjoy the lively atmosphere in Taksim and Galata.
– Get stuck into fun at Vialand (formerly Isfanbul), Istanbul Aquarium and Aquarium Sea Life Istanbul.
– Visit popular streets and squares such as Istiklal Street, Nisantasi, Bagdat Street and Ortakoy Square, to enjoy the lively new year scene.
– Visit the famous shopping malls of Istanbul such as the Kanyon, Metrocity and Akmerkez in the Levent district; the Istinye Park in Maslak, the Cevahir in Mecidiyekoy to enjoy the New Year festivities like concerts and shows, and make shopping. See Best Istanbul Shopping Malls
– Take some of Istanbul’s top attractions, many of which are open during the day on New Year’s Eve.
8. Things to do on New Year’s Day
– Start the new year off with a Turkish breakfast in one of outdoor cafes or terrace restaurants and bars of the city.
– Hit the designer shops, shops at the famous streets and squares and shopping malls of Istanbul to pick up bargains in the January sales.
– See the city’s sights and sounds by hop on hop off tourist bus.
– Visit the charming museums of the city.
– Marvel at the New Year lights, which can still be spotted across the city, mostly at the famous streets and squares such as Istiklal Street, Nisantasi, Bagdat Street and Ortakoy Square.
– See more on our Istanbul on New Year’s Day page.
