The 18th Ozanköy Pekmez Festival 2026: Programme, History and What to Try

From 28 to 30 August 2026, the 18th Pekmez Festival will take place in Ozanköy — one of Northern Cyprus’ best-known gastronomic celebrations. Guests can look forward to concerts, folk dancing, workshops, tastings of traditional carob products, a craft fair and free shuttles from Kyrenia.

• History of the festival
• What are pekmez and Şıra?
• What to try at the festival
• Festival programme
• How to get there
• Frequently asked questions

The festival takes place in the centre of Ozanköy and attracts thousands of residents and tourists every year. In addition to the concert programme, the event introduces guests to the traditions of making pekmez, local cuisine and the culture of the region.

History of the festival

The festival is dedicated to one of Northern Cyprus’ oldest gastronomic traditions — making pekmez from the fruit of the carob tree. For many generations, the residents of Ozanköy have cultivated carob trees and produced this thick syrup, which was used as a natural sweetener and as a base for many dishes.

Over time, the festival has become one of the largest cultural events in the Kyrenia region. Today, it brings together gastronomy, music, folk dancing, crafts and the creativity of local artisans, helping to preserve the traditions of the village and introduce guests to the cultural heritage of Northern Cyprus.

A special place in the programme is dedicated to the memory of the Turkish Cypriot poet Osman Türkay, who was born in Ozanköy. On the second day of the festival, readings of his works and events dedicated to his life and creative work take place.

What are pekmez and Şıra?

Pekmez is a thick natural syrup obtained by slowly evaporating the juice of carob fruit (harup). In Northern Cyprus, it is traditionally served for breakfast with tahini and used in baking, desserts and various national dishes.

During the festival opening, guests are treated to the drink Şıra free of charge. It is fresh carob juice obtained before the pekmez-making process begins. After prolonged evaporation, this is what becomes the famous syrup.

What to try at the festival

The festival is an opportunity to discover the traditional cuisine of Northern Cyprus.

At the fair, you can try:

• carob pekmez;
• Şıra;
• tahini with pekmez;
• traditional Cypriot sweets;
• homemade pastries;
• local cheeses;
• preserves and jams;
• olive oil;
• products from local producers.

In addition to the food stalls, there are craft stalls featuring handmade goods, souvenirs and products made by local artisans.

Festival programme

28 August (Friday)

• 18:00 — opening of the fair;
• 19:00 — official opening of the festival;
• traditional Şıra tasting;
• performance by the Kyrenia Municipality folk ensemble;
• performance by Ozanköy Kültür Sanat Derneği;
• concert by Grup Otantik;
• 21:00 — concert by Leman Sam.

29 August (Saturday)

• 18:00 — opening of the fair;
• poetry programme dedicated to Osman Türkay;
• presentation of «The Life and Creative Work of Osman Türkay»;
• workshop on preparing the traditional dish Uyululuk;
• pekmez-making demonstration;
• performances by dance groups from Northern Cyprus, Poland and Azerbaijan;
• traditional bingo hosted by the Ozanköy sports club;
• concert by Ebru & Amor Latino;
• concert by Sinan Güzen.

30 August (Sunday)

• 18:00 — opening of the fair;
• concert by Yağmur Özerem Trio;
• closing concert by Hikmet Kurtarıcıoğulları Band;
• official closing of the 18th Pekmez Festival.

How to get there

The festival takes place on Dr. Fazıl Küçük Caddesi in Ozanköy.

For visitors’ convenience, the municipality is organising free shuttles to the festival venue. Boarding is available from the Baldöken Otopark car park, as well as from additional park-and-ride facilities near The English School of Kyrenia (ESK), Kyrenia American University (GAU) and Şehit Hasan Cafer İlkokulu. For residents and guests staying in central Kyrenia, there is a stop near Kyrenia Castle (Girne Kalesi).

From Baldöken car park:

• 18:00
• 20:00
• 22:00

Return:

• 19:00
• 21:00
• 23:00

Frequently asked questions

Is admission to the festival free?

Yes, admission to the festival is free.

What is pekmez?

It is a thick syrup made from carob that is considered one of the traditional products of Northern Cyprus.

What is Şıra?

Şıra is fresh carob juice obtained before pekmez is made.

Can I come with children?

Yes. In addition to concerts, the festival features craft stalls, a food fair and various cultural events suitable for families.

Where can I leave my car?

During the festival, visitors are advised to use the specially organised car parks and free shuttles to the venue.