Six Nations. Shared Roots. One Unforgettable Weekend
At the center of this year’s cultural program are four master artisans traveling from Türkiye specifically for the San Francisco Turkish Festival.
Türkiye’s renowned Kangal Dogs join the San Francisco Turkish Festival, introducing visitors to an important part of Anatolia’s living cultural heritage.
3rd San Francisco Turkish Festival: 48 vendors, master artisans from Türkiye, Kangal Dogs, food, music & Turkic culture at Embarcadero Plaza, Sept. 12–13.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, September 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — San Francisco Turkish Festival Brings the Living Heritage of Türkiye and the Turkic World to Embarcadero Plaza
Four master artisans traveling from Türkiye, Kangal Dogs, 48 vendors, traditional arts, food, music, and performances will fill Embarcadero Plaza September 12–13
Türkiye’s centuries-old arts, distinctive cuisine, music, dance and cultural traditions will come together in the heart of San Francisco when the Turkish American Association of California (CALTURKS) presents the 3rd Annual San Francisco Turkish Festival, September 12–13 at Embarcadero Plaza.
The free, two-day festival, running from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM both days, will bring together 48 vendors, a full weekend of live performances, artists and cultural groups representing Türkiye and the broader Turkic world, and special presentations rarely seen together in the Bay Area.
Following a 2025 festival that welcomed more than 7,000 visitors, this year’s celebration places a special emphasis on living cultural heritage — traditions that continue to be practiced, taught and passed from one generation to the next.
Four Master Artisans Travel From Türkiye
At the center of this year’s cultural program are four master artisans traveling from Türkiye specifically for the San Francisco Turkish Festival.
Visitors will be able to meet the artists, watch live demonstrations and experience four distinctive traditions firsthand:
Almula İdil Kılıç — Kütahya Tile Art
Kılıç will demonstrate the intricate patterns, painting techniques and craftsmanship of Kütahya’s centuries-old ceramic tradition.
Ertuğrul Üzümcü — Traditional Turkish Coppersmithing
Üzümcü will demonstrate traditional copper craftsmanship, an art shaped and preserved by generations of Anatolian artisans.
Orhan Çakıroğlu — Gaziantep Yemeni Craftsmanship
A fifth-generation artisan, Çakıroğlu continues the Gaziantep tradition of making distinctive handmade leather Yemeni footwear, crafted using techniques passed down through his family.
Süheyla Sarı Yoldaş — Hereke Silk Weaving
Yoldaş will demonstrate the meticulous techniques behind traditional Hereke silk weaving, internationally renowned for its extraordinary detail and craftsmanship.
Rather than displaying these traditions only as finished objects, the festival will allow visitors to see the hands and techniques behind the art and meet the people keeping these traditions alive.
The Kangal: A Living Symbol of Anatolia
The festival’s celebration of living heritage will extend beyond art and craftsmanship.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Kangal Dogs, Türkiye’s internationally recognized livestock guardian breed and an important part of Anatolia’s pastoral heritage.
For centuries, Kangals have worked alongside shepherds, protecting livestock across the Anatolian landscape. Known for their size, intelligence, loyalty, courage and protective instincts, they have become one of Türkiye’s best-known native breeds.
Thakeb Kangals will bring award-winning Kangals to Embarcadero Plaza, where visitors can meet the dogs and their handlers and learn about the breed’s history, characteristics and traditional role.
A Celebration of the Wider Turkic World
The San Francisco Turkish Festival also provides a stage for the cultural traditions connecting Türkiye with communities across the Turkic world.
Throughout the weekend, audiences will experience performers and cultural groups representing Turkish, Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Uyghur traditions, alongside Turkish folk dance, live music, a Whirling Dervish performance, darbuka and contemporary performances.
The festival brings these communities together not as separate exhibits, but as part of a shared weekend of cultural exchange in one of the world’s most diverse cities.
48 Vendors Bring a Taste of Türkiye to San Francisco
Food will be another major part of the celebration.
With 48 vendors participating, Embarcadero Plaza will offer visitors Turkish foods and desserts, coffee, handmade goods, jewelry, textiles, art, crafts, specialty products and cultural displays.
Guests can come for lunch and stay for the day — discovering an artist, watching a performance, meeting a Kangal, shopping from local businesses and experiencing traditions they might otherwise have to travel thousands of miles to encounter.
“We want people to experience our culture, not simply read about it,” said Nalan Gungor Ozisik, President of the Turkish American Association of California. “Come taste the food, listen to the music, watch our dances, meet the artists and discover traditions that have been carried forward for generations. This festival belongs to everyone. Whatever your background, we invite you to come and celebrate with us.”
EVENT DETAILS
3rd Annual San Francisco Turkish Festival
September 12–13, 2026
11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Embarcadero Plaza, San Francisco
Admission: FREE
All are welcome
Festival information: TURKFESTSF.ORG
About the Turkish American Association of California
Founded in 1975, the Turkish American Association of California (CALTURKS) is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing Turkish culture, arts, and heritage and strengthening friendship, understanding, and cultural exchange among communities.
For more than five decades, the organization has brought people together through cultural celebrations, educational programs, performances and community events throughout California.
MEDIA CONTACT
Nalan Gungor Ozisik
President
Turkish American Association of California (CALTURKS)
Website: TURKFESTSF.ORG
Email: festival@turkfestsf.org
Phone: 650-380-6096
Nalan Ozisik
TURKISH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA
+1 650-380-6096
email us here
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