Cappadox Festival Returns to Cappadocia: Four Days of Music and Art, 21–24 May 2026
Cappadox, Cappadocia’s annual multi-disciplinary cultural festival, returns to Uçhisar on 21 May 2026, running through 24 May. Now well into its second decade, the festival brings together international and Turkish artists across music, contemporary art, outdoor performance, gastronomy, and nature programmes — all set against the volcanic rock formations and fairy chimneys that make this one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the world.
What the festival covers
Cappadox is not a single-stage music event. Across four days, the programme spans open-air concerts — typically ranging across psychedelic, experimental, world music, jazz, and electronic genres — alongside gallery-style art installations, guided art walks, yoga sessions at sunrise, and curated food and drink from local producers. The main hub is Uçhisar and the surrounding Perili Ozanlar Valley, with events spread across multiple open-air venues through the village.
Past editions have balanced international headliners with emerging Turkish talent, and the festival has built a reputation for thoughtful curation over commercial scale. The full 2026 lineup had not been officially announced at time of publication — check the Pozitif Cappadox page and official social channels for confirmed names as the dates approach.
Getting there
Cappadocia is served by two airports: Kayseri Erkilet (ASR) and Nevşehir Kapadokya (NAV). From Istanbul, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus operate daily flights to both; the flight takes around 1 hour 20 minutes. Shuttle services and rental cars connect both airports to Uçhisar, Göreme, and other valley towns. For a full transport breakdown, see our Istanbul to Cappadocia guide.
Book accommodation early
Festival weekend pushes occupancy in Uçhisar and Göreme close to 100 percent. Cave hotels and boutique guesthouses — the most sought-after options in the region — typically sell out weeks in advance. If you’re combining Cappadox with a May trip to Turkey, book accommodation as soon as dates are confirmed.
Hot air balloon flights — a Cappadocia staple and arguably the highlight of any visit — also fill up quickly around the festival period. We strongly recommend securing your balloon slot at the same time as your accommodation.