Babylon
Opening its doors in Asmalımescit in 1999, Babylon brought the finest examples of contemporary and progressive music to Istanbul’s music lovers. Quickly transforming the city’s music scene, Babylon became a hub that celebrates both local and international music culture.
From legendary names to new discoveries
From Sun Ra Arkestra to Jimmy Scott and Jane Birkin, from Patti Smith and Marianne Faithfull to Thurston Moore, Macy Gray, Charles Bradley, and from Lykke Li to Diplo and Apparat, some of the most important names on the global stage have performed at Babylon.
2015: A new chapter
In 2015, we moved to Yapı Kredi bomontiada to take the music experience to a new level and welcome our audience in a multi-purpose live performance venue with advanced technological infrastructure. Located within a historic setting in the heart of the city’s cultural life, we continue to bring music to a wider audience.
Today and tomorrow
Today, Babylon still shares the same excitement, bringing the best local and international artists from a wide range of genres to music lovers. Our program spans from jazz to rock, from electronic music to world music, and is filled with new discoveries, diverse sounds, and inspiring performances. Hosting around 29,000 music lovers each year, Babylon kept both local and international music culture alive in the 2024 season with 142 events featuring artists such as Sun Ra Arkestra, Moodymann, TNK, Kalben, Aga B, Adi Oasis, and David August.
In the 2025–2026 season, Babylon will host leading names from various styles, including Kit Sebastian, Gizmo Varillas, Dargz, and Cosmic Crooner. The new season promises unique performances, exciting discoveries, and gatherings where you can truly catch the rhythm of the city.
Babylon is not just a concert venue; it is a meeting point for music and culture, a stage where new ideas flourish, and a space that carries the soul of Istanbul.
Babylon Soundgarden
Since 1999, Babylon has helped shape the rhythm of Istanbul’s music scene. During the summer months, it steps out of the city to offer a festival experience immersed in nature. Babylon Soundgarden has become one of the city’s most distinctive festivals bringing together dance, entertainment, and creativity in a music-filled forest atmosphere, away from the chaos yet still at the heart of the city.
This journey, which began in Çeşme in 2011, has grown into one of the unmissable summer events over the years. The festival hosts both international headliners and rising local talents, offering a vibrant, carnival-like atmosphere across multiple stages and a rich, all-day program.