Summer in Istanbul has a soundtrack of its own. Ferries glide across the Bosphorus, café terraces fill with laughter, and music drifts from every corner of the city. From open‑air jazz evenings in Sultanahmet to indie gigs in Kadıköy parks, July is festival season here. This year, one of the biggest dates on the calendar is July 30, when Justin Timberlake rolls into Istanbul Technical University Stadium for his first Türkiye show since 2019.
If you have ever watched the sunset from Galata Tower you know the city knows how to put on a show, and Timberlake is bringing plenty of his own. Expect classics like “SexyBack” and “Rock Your Body” mixed with fresh tracks from his new album, Everything I Thought It Was. The lasers, dancers, and full live band promise stadium-wide sing-along.
Tickets open on May 8 via Biletinial, so set a reminder and rally your concert crew. While you wait for show day, dive into Istanbul’s summer lineup. Catch a late-night set at the Jazz Festival, cool off with open-air cinema on the shoreline, or join locals for rooftop DJ parties that run until dawn.
Planning to turn the concert into a long weekend? A city pass can smooth out transport and fast-track entries to must-see spots like Topkapı Palace or the Basilica Cistern. But even without a plan, Istanbul rewards wanderers. Follow the music, follow the smell of fresh simit, and let the city surprise you. July will be here before you know it.
Justin Timberlake Returns to Istanbul on 30 July 2025
Justin Timberlake will hit the stage at Istanbul Technical University Stadium on Wednesday, 30 July 2025. Doors open at six in the evening, giving fans plenty of time to find their seats, grab a snack, and soak up the summer buzz before the first beat drops at half past eight. July is a perfect month to be in Istanbul, especially for an open air concert!
Tickets go on sale digitally through Biletinial on 8 May, and they are expected to move fast because this will be Timberlake’s first show in Türkiye since 2019. The night promises a full live band, dazzling light displays, and a set list that jumps from early favorites like “Rock Your Body” to fresh material off his 2024 album Everything I Thought It Was. Expect a high‑energy crowd and an atmosphere that blends Istanbul’s festival spirit with Timberlake’s polished pop and R&B sound.
Who Is Justin Timberlake?
Justin Timberlake first found fame in the late 1990s as the youngest voice in the boy-band powerhouse NSYNC. When he launched his solo career in 2002, his debut album Justified sent him straight to pop royalty with singles such as “Cry Me a River.” Albums like FutureSex/LoveSounds and The 20/20 Experience cemented his reputation for sleek production and genre‑mixing dance tracks.
Along the way he has collected ten Grammy Awards, four Emmys, and charted dozens of international hits. Timberlake also maintains a successful film career, starring in projects from The Social Network to the animated Trolls series. His newest release, Everything I Thought It Was, brings eighteen fresh tracks that explore funk grooves and soulful hooks, giving fans plenty to look forward to on tour.
About the Venue
ITU Stadium sits on the Ayazağa Campus in Maslak, one of Istanbul’s busiest business and entertainment districts on the European side. The open‑air arena holds close to forty thousand people, yet it remains easy to reach. The M2 metro line drops you at ITU‑Ayazağa station, a short walk from the gates, and frequent buses run along nearby Büyükdere Avenue.
Don't worry about food and drinks because on the concert night, pop‑up food stalls will stay open late, creating a mini festival vibe long before the lights go down. Arrive early to avoid the rush, explore the tree‑lined campus, and let Istanbul’s summer atmosphere set the stage for an unforgettable evening with Justin Timberlake.
Istanbul Tourist Pass®: Explore Istanbul the Easy Way
The Istanbul Tourist Pass® is totally digital. You buy it online, it lands in the app on your phone, and instant QR codes get you straight into more than one hundred museums, cruises, tours, and family attractions. No plastic cards, no paper tickets, no waiting in the long ticket lines... Just show your QR code and walk in.
You choose how long the pass lasts, from one up to five days, so it can fit a quick concert weekend or a full week of sightseeing. Big‑name spots like Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower, Topkapı Palace, and Bosphorus dinner cruises are already included. The pass also throws in handy extras such as audio guides in app, VIP transfer discounts, and FREE 5 GB mobile data, so your maps and concert tickets stay online the whole trip. One payment covers it all and the savings add up fast.
2‑Day Istanbul Plan for the Justin Timberlake Concert
(Add the third day if you want to stretch your stay)
Day 1 – Tuesday, 29 July · Old City Icons and a Bosphorus Sunset
Morning
- Start in Sultanahmet Square.
- Use the Istanbul Tourist Pass® QR code to enter Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern without waiting in the ticket line.
Lunch
- Grab a kebab or try something different; here are some Michelin-recommended restaurants around the Old Town.
Afternoon
- Wander through Gülhane Park for shade and an ice cream.
- Stop at the Archaeology Museums if you still have energy. They are also on the pass with a perfect audio guide!
Evening
- Head to Kabatas Pier for the Bosphorus Sunset Cruise that is included in the pass. The boat leaves around 6.00 PM. The skyline glows, seagulls circle, and you will see both European and Asian shores in two hours.
- Finish the night with a FREE meze plate in Karaköy, you may add a delicious Turkish wine to your platter. Early to bed if you want to be fresh for the show.
Day 2 – Wednesday, 30 July · Concert Day
Morning
- Ride the M2 metro to Galata Tower as soon as it opens. Skip the line with your pass and catch a 360‑degree view before the heat hits.
- Walk down İstiklal Street. Duck into cafés, record shops, and the historic Çiçek Pasajı. Listen to your Taksim & Istiklal Street audio guide while you are wandering.
Lunch
- Try a döner wrap or wet burgers, which are very famous street foods in Taksim Square.
Early afternoon
- Recharge at your hotel or book a Turkish bath session. The pass gives a discount at several hammams, perfect for a pre-concert reset.
- Or you may want to visit the Museum of Illusions on Istiklal Street while you are around.
Evening
- Take the metro again to ITU‑Ayazağa station using your unlimited public transportation card. The stadium is a short walk.
- Justin Timberlake hits the stage at 20:30. Tickets went on sale on 8 May through Biletinial, so make sure yours is loaded on your phone before you leave the hotel.
- After the show, taxis and ride‑shares line Büyükdere Avenue, but the metro runs until after midnight if you want to skip traffic.
Day 3 – Thursday, 31 July · Bonus Day
Option A: Princes’ Islands
- Hop on the princess islands tour that comes with the pass. Stay on Buyukada after the tour; swim, cycle, and snack on seafood.
Option B: Topkapi Palace
- Tour the Topkapi Palace with guided entry from the pass in the morning. Give it couple hours since it is huge place to discover.
Night
- Catch a Whirling Dervish performance or get a perfect dinner with amazing shows in Nomads Beyoğlu if you still have fuel in the tank. The pass covers or discounts both.
Why the Pass Fits This Trip
- Everything sits inside one App on your phone, carry Istanbul with you!
- Skip-the-line access saves hours during summer crowds.
- The Bosphorus cruise, tower entries, palace tours, and even airport shuttles are already FREE, which cuts costs and planning stress.
- Pack comfy shoes, keep your phone charged, and let Istanbul’s summer rhythm take care of the rest.
Now, first buy your Justin Timberlake concert tickets, and come back right here and buy your Pass so we can plan your Istanbul city break together!
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