The 33rd International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival begins at the ancient theatre on Saturday, 12 September 2026. For international visitors staying around Antalya, Side or Alanya, the useful detail is not just the opening night: the official programme contains six evening performances through 26 September, all listed for 21:00. Aspendos is in Serik district, so a ticket should be paired with a realistic late-night transport plan rather than treated as a central-Antalya event.
The complete official programme
The festival opens with Verdi's Attila on 12 September. Anna Karenina follows on 15 September. Carmina Burana is scheduled twice, on 19 and 21 September, and Kazakhstan's Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre closes the festival with Spartacus on 25 and 26 September. The ministry lists every performance at 21:00.
Why the final weekend is international
The Spartacus performances bring the symphony orchestra, chorus and ballet of the Abay theatre from Kazakhstan to Aspendos. That makes 25–26 September particularly relevant to visitors from Kazakhstan and the wider Russian-speaking market, but it does not change the venue or the 21:00 start stated in the official programme.
Tickets and availability
The official programme establishes the dates and works; the linked ticket platform shows the bookable sessions and current availability. Remaining seats and prices can change. Buy only for the exact date and work you intend to attend, keep the electronic ticket accessible offline and check the ticket seller again before departure.
Plan the journey, not only the performance
Aspendos Ancient Theatre is in Serik, east of Antalya city and west of Side. Visitors based in Alanya face a longer return journey. Public transport, organised transfers and private vehicles follow different timetables, and a 21:00 curtain time means departure will be late. The festival notice does not promise a dedicated hotel shuttle.
What is confirmed — and what is not
Confirmed: the festival runs from 12 to 26 September, presents four works in six performances and starts each listed performance at 21:00. Not confirmed by the ministry notice: free admission, a universal transfer service or admission after the performance has begun. Treat ticket and transport arrangements as separate checks.