Alagadi Fest 2026 in Northern Cyprus

Alagadi Fest 2026 will take place from 7 to 9 August at the festival venue near Alagadi Beach in Northern Cyprus. The programme includes concerts by İrem Derici and Melek Mosso, performances by music and dance groups, a festive procession, stage shows and the final of the international “Youth of the Year — 2026” competition.

• What is Alagadi Fest
• Festival programme
• “Youth of the Year — 2026” competition
• Where the festival takes place
• How to get there
• What to keep in mind on site
• Frequently asked questions

What is Alagadi Fest

Alagadi Fest is an annual summer festival organised by the Çatalköy — Esentepe Municipality on the coast of Northern Cyprus. The festival brings together concerts by invited artists, performances by local music and dance groups, stage shows, a festive procession, fairground areas and food and drink stalls.

In 2026, the festival will run for three days. The main evening programme will take place on 7 and 8 August, while the final of the international youth competition will be held on the festival stage on 9 August.

Alagadi Fest 2026 programme

7 August

The first day will begin with a festive procession and the official opening of the festival. The main musical event of the evening will be a concert by Turkish singer İrem Derici.

• 19:15 — participants assemble;
• 19:30 — festive procession;
• 20:05 — official opening of the festival and dance show;
• 20:15 — performance by the Çatalköy — Esentepe Municipality folklore group;
• 20:30 — performance by Ayaklı Mutfak;
• 20:45 — contemporary dance show;
• 21:00 — performance by Grup REVA;
• 22:30 — concert by İrem Derici.

8 August

On the second day, folklore and music groups will perform on stage, and Turkish singer Melek Mosso will close the concert programme.

• 20:30 — performance by the Çatalköy — Esentepe Municipality folklore group;
• 21:00 — concert by Grup Rast;
• 22:00 — performance by Peltek Takımı;
• 22:30 — concert by Melek Mosso.

9 August

The final day of Alagadi Fest will be dedicated to the international “Youth of the Year — 2026” competition — Uluslararası Yılın Gençleri Yarışması. The final will begin at 21:00 on the festival’s main stage. The organisers may publish the additional programme for the day later.

International “Youth of the Year — 2026” competition

The competition is organised by Günkut Ajans with the support of the Çatalköy — Esentepe Municipality and Alagadi Fest. The project is intended for young participants from different countries and combines a stage presentation, elements of a talent competition and a catwalk.

The organisers do not position the event solely as a beauty contest. Participants will be able to present themselves on an international stage and demonstrate confidence, individuality and the cultural characteristics of their country.

Who can participate

• boys and girls aged 15 to 19;
• participants born in 2007–2011;
• representatives of any country in the world.

Participants under 18 years of age must provide notarised written consent from their parents or legal representatives.

Competition format

Finalists will present two stage looks:

• sportswear;
• evening or formal attire.

Applications and registration

• applications are open until 9 August 2026;
• participant registration and the dress rehearsal will take place on 9 August before 18:30;
• the final will begin at 21:00;
• venue — Alagadi Festival Alanı.

Applications can be submitted on the official competition website: www.yilingencleri.com.

Prize fund

Cash prizes are provided separately for girls and boys.

Where Alagadi Fest takes place

The festival takes place at Alagadi Festival Alanı near Alagadi Beach. The location is on the northern coast of Northern Cyprus, east of Kyrenia.

Alagadi Beach is located in a nature reserve and is known as a nesting site for sea turtles. The main festival programme is held in a specially designated area, although direct access to the beach may be restricted in the evening and at night.

How to get to the festival

By car or taxi

The most convenient way to reach Alagadi Festival Alanı is by car or taxi. During the festival, traffic jams are possible on the roads leading to the venue, and available parking spaces may run out before the main concerts begin. For the evening programme, arriving early is recommended.

If you need a private transfer or a trip between cities, for example with a group or with luggage, you can view the options here: GetTransfer.

By public transport

Regular public transport in the Alagadi area is limited, and evening timetables may change depending on the season. When travelling to the festival, it is best to plan your return journey in advance and not rely on late minibuses.

What to keep in mind on site

• Beach restrictions. During the sea turtle nesting season, night-time access to the sandy part of the beach may be closed. Do not cross the barriers, approach nests or leave the festival area via the beach.
• Light and photography. Bright flashlights, camera flashes and other light sources that could disturb adult turtles and hatchlings may not be used in the protected part of the coast.
• Money. Some stalls and temporary pavilions may accept cash only. It is more convenient to carry Turkish lira for paying for food, drinks and goods.
• Clothing. It may be windy by the sea in the evening. Comfortable closed footwear is suitable for moving across dirt and sand.
• Waste. Packaging and other waste should be left only in the designated bins, as the festival takes place near a nature reserve.

Frequently asked questions

When will Alagadi Fest 2026 take place?

The festival will take place from 7 to 9 August 2026.

Who will perform at the festival?

The main artists will be İrem Derici, who will perform on 7 August at 22:30, and Melek Mosso, whose concert is scheduled for 8 August at 22:30. The programme also includes Grup REVA, Grup Rast, Peltek Takımı, Ayaklı Mutfak and municipal dance groups.

What time does the festival start?

On 7 August, participants will assemble at 19:15, and the festive procession will begin at 19:30. The programme on 8 August starts at 20:30. The competition final on 9 August is scheduled for 21:00.

Where does the festival take place?

The event is held at Alagadi Festival Alanı near Alagadi Beach, east of Kyrenia.

Can foreigners participate in the competition?

Yes. Applications are accepted from boys and girls aged 15–19 from any country in the world.

Is there a fee to participate in the competition?

The published information does not specify the registration fee. The terms should be clarified when submitting an application on the official competition website.

Can you go to the beach from the festival at night?

During the sea turtle nesting season, access to Alagadi Beach is restricted at night. Visiting the protected area is possible only as part of agreed conservation activities.