Marmaris festivals include a lot of yachting festivals as this is a major tourist resort on the western coast of Turkey. Being the largest harbors (natural) in the world, it is has many pine-clad hills surrounding it. The bay is surrounded by many beaches, villages and ancient cities.

Festival of Sugar

Seker Bayrami is popularly known as Festival of Sugar, is held in February usually. The festival is spread over 3 days and is marked as the end of the Ramadan. People gather together and exchange gifts which includes sweetmeats and candies.

Kurban Bayrami

Kurban Bayrami is a religious holiday which and is considered as one of the most important festivals. The festival is celebrated in the honor of the sacrifice done by father Abrahim of his son Issac.  But God accepted the sacrifice of a lamb instead of the son. All over Turkey, an animal is sacrificed by people to honor this event. Meat is also donated to the poor people. This is usually held in April.

Yacht Festivals

Marmaris hosts annual festivals and regattas: International Marmaris Yacht Festival in May and October, International Marmaris Sea Festival in July and International Marmaris – Rhodes Regatta in June. Each year different events are organized.

Camel Wrestling Festival

Camel wrestling leagues are held in Selcuk near Ephesus. The sport is on the decline as the cost of housing, feeding and training a camel is quite high and only a very rich man can afford to do so. People also wager bets during this match although it is difficult to judge which camel will win.

Izmir International Fair

Along with the Izmir International Fair that is held in September to cater to commercial and business interests, an auxiliary activity was started where musical and cultural events are held. This attracts a lot of people and also boosts business.

Islamic Festivals

In addition to the above festivals, traditional festivals of Muharram, Id and Ramadan are enjoyed by the Muslim population.

Muharram is celebrated by the Muslims in Turkey with great fervor. This festival starts at the first day of Muharram and lasts for 10 days until the tenth day of Muharram. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It celebrates the martyrdom of prophet Muhamad’s grandson Hazrat Imam Hussein. Processions are carried out in the streets where you can see people beating their chests in mourning. Some of them even beat their backs with chains. This is done to depict their solidarity with the martyrs who had lost their lives when they there was a dispute regarding who will succeed after the death of the fourth caliph.

Another important Muslim festival that is celebrated in Marmaris is Ramzan, which runs through the Islamic month of the same name. It appears as though there is a national fair being held in the streets of Marmaris. The Muslim neighborhood seems to be wide awake at night and their streets are aglow with light. Throughout the day, people observer a fast. As dusk approaches, they pray to the Almighty Allah and then break their fast.

Other Muslim festivals like Id-ul-Fitr and Id-al-adha are also celebrated with great fervor.