Thousands of Istanbulites welcome the new year with celebrations held in the city's important squares and streets.
Residents and tourists began to gather in the squares and streets of Taksim, Beşiktaş, Ortaköy, Nişantaşı and Kadıköy, one of the city's most vibrant spots, starting in the evening.
The crowds gathering in Taksim Square and Istiklal Street, the hub of the annual celebration on the European side, have become a throng as we enter the new year.
As the clock struck 00:00, the crowd welcomed the new year enthusiastically, accompanied by a countdown and applause.
People say “hello” to the new year accompanied by fireworks displays and celebrate the arrival of 2026 by enthusiastically dancing and hugging each other.
The New Year is greeted with enthusiasm, accompanied by a countdown and applause, in Ortaköy, the celebration center in Beşiktaş.
Some people in the crowd celebrated the New Year by hugging each other accompanied by a fireworks display, taking photos with a view of the Bosphorus Strait and some releasing balloons into the sky.
It was observed that the density in Şişli Nişantaşı, where New Year celebrations were held in full swing, was less this year than in previous years.
In Bakırköy, district residents gathered at Cumhuriyet Square to welcome the first minutes of the new year together. Taking photos and singing, groups welcomed the New Year together in the square despite the cold.
Many residents and tourists coming to Sarayburnu in Fatih welcomed the new year with a view of the Bosphorus Strait. A large number of people came to watch the fireworks show to welcome the new year.
THE NEW YEAR IS CELEBRATED WITH ENTHUSIASM AT KADIKÖY
On the Anatolian side, people gathered in central locations, especially Kadıköy Bazaar and İskele squares, and enthusiastically welcomed the arrival of 2026.
As the clock struck midnight, hundreds of people turned on their cell phone lights and started the new year with a countdown.
During the fireworks celebration, some people welcome the new year by shouting with joy and some dance to music.
Drivers on Bağdat Street honked their horns and some residents welcomed the new year by dropping confetti.
