Large Demonstration in Istanbul 1/1/2026
Demonstration Alert – Large Demonstration in Istanbul January 1, 2026 – U.S. Embassy Ankara, Türkiye 12/31/2025
Location: Istanbul, Türkiye
Event: On January 1, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., a large, organized demonstration involving thousands of participants is scheduled to take place at Galata Bridge in Istanbul. Beginning as early as 6:30 a.m., thousands of participants are expected to march from Süleymaniye, Sultanahmet, and Fatih to the site of the demonstration. U.S. citizens should take this into account if planning to visit these areas. Large gatherings may result in enhanced police presence, road closures, and traffic disruptions. Any gathering, even those intended to be peaceful, could escalate and turn violent.
Actions to Take:
· Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.
· Keep a low profile.
· Be aware of your surroundings, including in tourist areas.
· Monitor local media for updates.
· Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts.
Contact Information
U.S. Embassy (Ankara, Türkiye)
1480 Sok No:1
Cukurambar Mah
Cankaya 06530 Ankara, Türkiye
Tel: +90-312-294-0000
Email: Ankara-ACS@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Istanbul
Poligon Mahallesi, Sariyer Caddesi No: 75
İstinye 34460 Sariyer, Istanbul, Türkiye
Tel: +90-212-335-9000
Email: ACS_Istanbul@state.gov
U.S. Consular Agency Izmir
Email: izmir@state.gov
More Contact Information:
State Department – Consular Affairs
1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444
Türkiye’s Country Page
Türkiye’s Travel Advisory
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts
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