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Turkey is a Muslim country and Turkish people do not celebrate Christmas , but we celebrate new Year which is similar to Christmas (almost :)). Santa Claus (Father Christmas) was born in Turkey, Demre and is called Noel Baba in Turkish. We believe that Noel Baba would bring gifts to kids on New Year's Eve if they are good children :) I wish you a Merry Christmas with your family and friends.

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We celebrate Christmas a trend, not as a religious topic. You can buy Christmas trees everywhere in supermarket; the streets, shops and houses are sometimes decorated ,but December 24th and 25th are completely normal work days. They are not holiday. No one celebrates or exchanges gifts. For the Turkish, December 31st is the “Great Day”. On this day they celebrate “Yıl-başı”, the “head of the year”. After entering the new year gift-giving is also common. Also, the bingo game is played at houses.. We cook roast Turkey dinner with our friends and family,(if we have money :D) and exchange gifts and cards.

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As in many other places in the world ,Turkey, celebrate New Year’'S. “Yeni yılınız kutlu olsun” this is how you say “merry christmas “in Turkish. Actually, Turkey has no Christmas tradition. People in Turkey who celebrate Christmas do same things as other people who celebrate Christmas. New Year celebrations are famous here. And if you prefer to celebrate outdoors, head for Nişantası‘s giant street party. Starting mid-December, streets and stores are decorated in a similar fashion Western countries do for Christmas. You’ll find plenty of Christmas trees, (street) lights. Several thousand people meet at this central meeting point in order to dance to the music of the New Year’s Concert and to see the big fireworks.

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Turkish Christmas decorations are famous and there are some Christmas activities for kids in Turkey. Starting mid-December, the streets of Turkey are decorated just the way how Western countries are. One can find so many Christmas trees, lights and Santa Claus. Not that Turks celebrate the birth of Christ, but they are only preparing themselves for the new year celebrations. And to attract customers or give the visitors a true feel of Christmas, they make up things just the way an actual Christmas is celebrated.

See

We All are the Same :)

This is a picture from İstanbul, Taksim ( Christmas time) :)

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Colorful Istanbul
If you wish to attend a special Christmas mass, that’s no problem. Just go to Anthony of Padua, the largest Catholic church in Istanbul. It’s located on Istiklal Caddesi, on your left as you walk from Taksim towards Tünel. On foot it will take about 20-25 minutes. To be on the safe side, please check out mass hours at least a day beforehand.

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The Turkish National Lottery Administration was formed in 1889 and has been offering their flagship Piyango Lotto game since 1890. The game is one of many offered by the Turkish National Lottery Administration, including the Turkey Super Lotto game, Sans Topu, On Numara and Sayisal, though the Piyango Lotto game is still one of their most popular games.
The Piyango Lotto game is played every Saturday and is a traditional style lottery game meaning that you pick numbers rather than participating in a raffle, like the Spanish Christmas Lottery.

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To understand how the New Year’s Eve in Turkey is celebrated, you need a brief background of how family oriented Turks are. They often gather over any holiday, or even on a weekly basis. This is how New Year’s Eve is in Turkey. First, Family Dinner As we mentioned earlier, Turks are all about family. Hence, Turkish people reunite with their cousins and second cousins at the houses of their grandparents’, great grandparents, great aunts or uncles; whoever is the eldest. Those gatherings aren’t at all minimal. You will find the finest dishes of the Turkish cuisine in these parties and gatherings. If you are invited to one of those, don’t eat so much over breakfast or lunch, you need the appetite for the roasted turkey that is traditionally present on the Turkish New Year’s Eve.