Turkey is bursting with activity, and Fethiye, located in the Aegean region of the country, is no exception. Colorful, bold and vibrant, the city of Fethiye offers a rich history and culture to any visitor willing to delve beneath its stunning exterior. Fethiye Festivals are a burst of color and life – and here are some of the main ones.

International Children’s Festival

Running for a week in April, the International Children’s Festival is a big deal in Fethiye. The city traditionally hosts children from a variety of other countries – from Bali in Indonesia to the neighboring United Kingdom. An exchange of culture takes place, and as much as this is a children’s festival, it celebrates and honors the diversity of both Fethiye and Turkey, as well as the entire European region. The festival features performances put on by students, local and international alike, at various locations around the city over the course of a week. The final celebration takes place at a large auditorium in the facilities of a resort hotel or theater, where the youthful vibrancy and innocence of children of the world are celebrated.

Çalış Carnival

Another major event in Fethiye, the Çalış Carnival, is a week-long run of activities leading up to the main event of a carnival for two days in May. In its third year in 2010, the carnival is a good way for any visitor to experience local life to its fullest. Local, homemade handicrafts are available for sale, as is the tasting of Turkish cuisine and street food. The highlights of the carnival include the procession on the first day, as well as a free, open-air concert on the second that concludes the event. The carnival is popular among the younger crowd, who not only are active goers to carnival activities and shows, but also volunteer their services for ushering and crowd control. Proceeds from the sale of goods go to a good cause in helping underprivileged children.

Tomato Festival

As with many of the other Turkish towns, Fethiye celebrates the harvest of a local produce – in this case, tomatoes. Being a large part of the Turkish diet and export goods, it is no wonder that the humble tomato is being honored by a festival of its own. Held on the second Sunday of May, the festival is celebrated by the picking of ripened tomatoes, followed by a customary family dinner. Visitors can witness the plucking of the fruit, followed by a meal in one of the hospitable Turks’ houses, or at a restaurant nearby.

Fethiye is truly is wonder to experience, as with all other parts of Turkey. With beautiful scenery and equally wonderful people, the town sure has much to offer.