Istanbul Shopping Fest is a festival that will make shopping more delightful between March 18 and April 26, 2011 in Istanbul. The festival is under the auspices of Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Governorship of Istanbul, with the support of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and several other bodies.

This massive organization will last 40 days and 40 nights with attendance of hundred thousands of shops and stores which have special discounts and extra shopping hours. The festival aims to attract interest of both domestic and foreign tourists. But, it is fairly more attractive for foreign visitors with the tax-free shopping.

This organization also has cultural and touristic side as well as the shopping. Consequently, closing hours of the museums in Istanbul, as earlier than usual, are set to 19:00 ( it was 17:30) to enable tourists visit them more conveniently due to festival, a ministry officer pointed out. In the frame of the festival, street pegeants, concerts, shows, musical activities and etc. will also be held.

It is a great time to schedule a visit to Istanbul, if  Turkish style garments and things as well as many international trademarks are what you like.

 

Schedule of  Istanbul Long Shopping Nights

Long shopping nights become even more glamorous with special events and additional shopping opportunities.

- March 18 – 19: Torium ve IstinyePark – until 2 am
- March 19: 20.00- 02.00: ISF- ELLE official opening party – Abdi Ipekçi avenue;
- 19.00- 02.00 İSF Concerts– Taksim square

- March 26: Akmerkez ve Palladium – until 2 am;
- 19.00- 02.00 ISF- Turkcell party- Bağdat avenue;
- April 2: Kozzy ve Metrocity – until 2 am
- April 9: All festival streets – until 12 am
- April 16: Olivium Outlet ve Optimum Outlet – until 2 am
- April 23: Kanyon – until 2 am
- April 26: All festival streets and shopping malls – until 2 am

The festival’s mesmerizing spirit will take over shopping malls as well as the high streets of Istanbul; Abdi Ipekçi, Istiklal and Bağdat Streets.

 

You can see the attending shopping malls, trademarks and activity dates on http://www.istshopfest.com/en/shopping-malls.aspx

I hope you enjoy it. Even though sellers make shopping advantageous nowadays in Istanbul,  I personally think that shopping must be based on needs, not on luxury, at least most often