What Is On, Istanbul in Spring

Spring is the most balanced season in Istanbul as far as programming goes; the indoor season is still running while outdoor events begin, and the two overlap through April. The city also looks its best in these months. The headings below recur every spring. Tulip season For the first two weeks of April the city's groves and squares are covered in tulips. Emirgan Grove is the best known, but Gulhane Park, Yildiz Park and Sultanahmet Square are also planted. Emirgan is very crowded at weekends; going at nine on a weekday morning is an entirely different experience. Early morning light is best for photographs. Closing performances of the indoor season The opera, ballet and symphony season closes in May, and the closing programmes are usually the most ambitious productions of the year. It is worth checking the May calendars of the AKM, the Sureyya Opera House and CRR; tickets go quickly in this period. The open-air season opens The programme at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre begins in May. Evenings can still be cool, so take a layer to the first concerts. Among the city's open-air venues, this is the one whose acoustics are most settled. A ferry journey on the Bosphorus Istanbul Arasi combines a ferry journey from Kabatas with music and guided narration, and spring is the best season for it because the deck is usable and the weather is not yet oppressive. Places are limited and announced through the calendar. Exhibitions and young artists Taksim Sanat holds changing exhibitions through the season; selections bringing together the work of young artists, and the children's and adults' workshops prepared in response to them, concentrate in spring. Entry is free. A concert in the cistern The Sounds from the Deep series at the Serefiye Cistern runs all year. In spring, as it warms up outside, the cool of the cistern becomes noticeable, so take a layer. Walking and picnics in the groves The Belgrade Forest, Polonezkoy and Emirgan Grove are at their best in April and May. The reservoir trail in the Belgrade Forest is waymarked and about six kilometres. Car parks fill early at weekends, so set out before nine. Judas tree season In late April and early May the Bosphorus slopes turn purple with Judas trees. Rumeli Hisari, Emirgan and the area around Beylerbeyi on the Anatolian side are where they show most densely. A Bosphorus ferry tour offers a different view during these two weeks. Free admission for young people The Koltuk Senin application opens free places for the under-twenty-fours in the spring programme too; demand is high for season closing performances, so apply early.