The free 19th Atlanta Turkish Food Festival is Oct. 17-18, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Istanbul Cultural Center on North Main Street, with a free parking shuttle.

The 19th Atlanta Turkish Food Festival is Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Istanbul Cultural Center of Georgia, 591 N. Main St. in Alpharetta. Admission, parking and the shuttle from the parking lot are free; you pay only for food.

The festival was first set for Oct. 10-11; the organizer moved it a week because of expected storms.

Last checked 2026-10-10.

Upcoming dates

  • Sat. Oct. 17, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sun. Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The festival runs twice a year, in spring and fall. The 18th edition was May 9-10, 2026. The organizer, the nonprofit Istanbul Cultural Center of Georgia, has not yet posted dates for the spring 2027 festival; this page will be updated when it does.

Where it is and parking

The festival is held outdoors on the grounds of the Istanbul Cultural Center of Georgia, 591 N. Main St. The center says the venue is ADA accessible and asks visitors with specific accessibility needs to contact it ahead of time.

Parking is at a separate lot, according to the festival’s parking and directions page:

  • Free parking at 192 Mayfield Road. Look for the shuttle stop signs in the lot.
  • A free shuttle runs between the lot and the festival every 10 to 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • The last shuttle leaves the festival at 7:15 p.m.

For other downtown work zones and closures, see our road construction and closures page.

Tickets and cost

Admission is free, and no ticket is needed to get in. RSVP is not required, but the organizer asks people to RSVP on the festival site so it can cook enough food.

Food booths do not take cash. Buy food tickets at the on-site ticket booth with cash or a credit card, then trade them for food at any booth. Prices on the organizer’s posted menu:

  • Adana kebab, hand-minced spicy lamb grilled over charcoal: $15
  • Cag kebab, marinated lamb roasted on a horizontal spit over a wood fire: $15
  • Doner kebab: $15
  • Lamb shish: $15
  • Gozleme, hand-rolled stuffed flatbread: $10
  • Turkish coffee brewed in hot sand: $4

What to know

  • What’s on: more than 20 dishes, live Turkish music, traditional folk dance, cultural exhibits and a kids’ zone all weekend. Grills fire up at opening time.
  • Vegetarian food: spinach and cheese gozleme, Turkish simit, and Turkish coffee and tea.
  • Families: the organizer bills it as a family-friendly event for all ages.
  • Weather: the festival is outdoors. The organizer says dates, hours, vendors, menu items and performers can change, and the event can be postponed or canceled for weather or safety, as the October dates already were. Changes go on the festival FAQ.
  • Questions: email the Istanbul Cultural Center at info@istanbulculturalcenter.org.

The festival is one of the October picks on our things to do this month page. For restaurants the rest of the year, see where to eat in Alpharetta.

Dates and venues as listed on the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau calendar and confirmed on the organizer’s site.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Turkish Food Festival in Alpharetta?

The 19th Atlanta Turkish Food Festival is Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. It was moved from Oct. 10-11 because of storms.

Where is the Turkish Food Festival?

At the Istanbul Cultural Center of Georgia, 591 N. Main St., Alpharetta.

Is the Turkish Food Festival free?

Admission, parking and the shuttle are free. Food is sold with tickets bought on site with cash or a credit card; most main dishes on the posted menu are $15.

Where do I park for the Turkish Food Festival?

Park free at 192 Mayfield Road and take the free shuttle, which runs every 10 to 15 minutes during festival hours. The last shuttle leaves the festival at 7:15 p.m.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes. The organizer lists spinach and cheese gozleme, Turkish simit, and Turkish coffee and tea.