The cosmopolitan city of Istanbul is named 2010 European Capital of Culture and named as the best place to be in 2010.

A tally of major concerts are coming to Istanbul in 2010. If early trends are any indication, 2010 may be the best year for major concerts and events in Istanbul yet.

So if you’re going to Istanbul in 2010, these are the dates to put in your agenda now.

Top Istanbul Events in 2010

• Istanbul International Film Festival
  This year, through April 18, The eagerly awaited 29th International Istanbul Film Festival will host more than 200 films in 23 categories.
• David Helfgott April 6 – 8
  One of the most important pianists of the world adopted the life of Oscar-winning movie Shine, David Helfgott is coming to Istanbul to play the piano concerto on 6 and 8 April.
• David Guetta April 10
  The world-wide respected DJ David Guetta will play for all dance music lovers in Istanbul on April 10 Saturday night organized by UNILIFE.
• Grandmaster Flash April 10
  One of the pioneers of hip-hop DJing, cutting, and mixing. Grandmaster Flash was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, becoming the first hip hop/rap artist to be so honored. A legend will perform on April 10 at GHETTO.
• WWE – Smackdown! April 18
  Sunday April 18, 2010 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) with the most famous wrestlers from the team in Turkey!
• Istanbul hip hop festival April 25
  The first Istanbul hip hop festival will be held this year in Istanbul with the 2010 Hip Hop Festival for Turkey’s Hip Hop culture on Sunday April 25.
• SEPULTURA April 27
  Brazilian heavy metal band SEPULTURA will be in Istanbul on April 27th, 2010 for only one concert as part of their 25th World Tour.
• Istanbul International Puppet Festival May 4 – 16
  The annual International Istanbul Puppet Festival hosts many famous national and international puppeteers from as far as Taiwan and Brazil and will run from May 4 to 16.
• Istanbul International Theater Festival May 10
  The 17th International Istanbul Theater Festival is set to begin on May 10. Organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, or İKSV, the festival will continue through June 10.
• Dany Brilliant May 10
  France’s most famous pop singer Dany Brillant, will give a concert in Istanbul on May 10.
• Harry Connick Jr. May 18
  Famous singer, pianist, song-writer, and actor Harry Connick Jr., will meet his fans in İstanbul for the first time on Tuesday night May 18 at 20.30 at İstanbul Congress Centre in Harbiye.
• Nouvelle Vague May 18
  Enjoy Punk and New Wave songs in an entirely new form, Nouvelle Vague, Bossa Nova, jazz and ’60s pop of the audience is invited to an amazing and surprising journey through time at Babylon on May 18.
• Akon May 21
  Akon has had 6 Grammy Awards nominations and has produced many hits for artists such as Lady Gaga, Colby O’Donis and Leona Lewis. AKON will meet with his Turkish fans on 21 May.
• Chill-Out Festival 23 May
  Chill-Out Festival will be held at Kemer Golf & Country Club with a wide musical spectrum such as, jazz trip-hop, Latin. 12 hours of continuous music with Caravan Palace Orchestra, Bonobo, Tunng, Alex Cuba Band, Club des Belugas, & Mishkin Palov and Lucky Elephant will present at the scene.
• 2010 Formula 1 Turkey Grand Prix May 28-29-30
  Istanbul is undoubtedly one of the most unique cities on the Formula One calendar this year on 30 May 2010
• Bob Dylan May 31
  Bob Dylan is the greatest composers of modern times and is coming to Istanbul again after 21 years, to give a special concert on May 31, 2010.
• Eric Clapton June 13
  Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood will perform on June 13 at Santral Istanbul, a venue on the Golden Horn campus of Bilgi University.
• Jean Michel Jarre
  Multifaceted artist Jean Michel Jarre is coming to Istanbul with his 2010 Tour on June 15 at Turkcell Kuruçeşme Arena.
• Sonisphere Istanbul June 25-27
  Sonisphere Istanbul features the greatest rock bands in the world will be held June 25-27 at the İnönü Stadium in Dolmabahçe.
• Metallica June 25
  Metallica will perform in Istanbul at Sonisphere Istanbul June 25-27
• Rammstein June 26
  Rammstein will perform in Istanbul at Sonisphere Istanbul June 25-27
• Megadeth June 26
  Megadeth will perform in Istanbul at Sonisphere Istanbul June 25-27
• Rihanna June 3
  Rihanna is coming to Istanbul for the first time, to perform with her Last Girl on Earth Tour on June 3.
• Lady GaGa June 15
  Lady GaGa is coming to Istanbul this year to perform on June 15th at Kurucesme Arena in Istanbul.
• Unirock July 2
  Hosted bands like TESTAMENT, OPETH, ARCH ENEMY, KREATOR, DARK TRANQUILLITY, PARADISE LOST and AMON AMARTH, Unirock Open Air Festival once again welcomes trash and metal bands in Istanbul on July 2.
• Massive Attack July 13
  Legendary creator of trip-hop group Massive Attack is coming back with a great performance on July 13 2010.
• Armin van Buuren July 16
  Armin van Buuren No. 1 DJ in the world will perform in Istanbul on July 16.
• Faithless July 17
  Faithless Istanbul concert will be held on July 17 experience a great live performance. Faithless known for their hits “Why Go,” “Insomnia,” “God Is A DJ” and “We Come 1″, spend four years long on a new album “The Dance” and will meet with their Turkish fans in Istanbul on July 17.
• Eros Ramazzotti July 17
  Ramazotti released his new album Alien Radi pressure” In 2009 and will perform in Istanbul on July 7 as part of his tour.
• Efes Pilsen One Love Festival 9 July 19 – 20
  De La Soul, The Whitest Boy Alive and Wild Beasts will perform at Efes Pilsen One Love Festival on.
• The Cranberries July 22
  The Cranberries became one of the more successful groups to emerge from the pre-Britpop U.K. indie scene of the early ’90s. Led by vocalist Dolores O’Riordan they will give a concert on July 22 in Istanbul.
• U2 360 Tour Istanbul September 6
  U2 360 Tour Istanbul will be held this summer at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on Sept. 6.
• Ozzy Osbourne September 30
  Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne will come to Istanbul this year, among the names. World’s most radical heavy metal and rock group. Ozzy Osbourne will perform in Istanbul on September 30 at BKM Kurucesme Arena.
• Chris Botti 08 October 2010
  Chris Botti in Istanbul.
• Body Worlds 12 October 2010
  Body Worlds Istanbul.
• Discover Manga! 12 October 2010
  Discover Manga! Istanbul.
• Efes Pilsen Blues Festival 16 October 2010
  Efes Pilsen Blues Festival Istanbul.
• UB40 22 October 2010
  UB40 in Istanbul.
• Herbie Hancock 26 October 2010
  Herbie Hancock in Istanbul.
• Kenny Baron 30 October 2010
  Kenny Baron in Istanbul.
• Belinda Carlisle 06 November 2010
  Belinda Carlisle in Istanbul.
• Terence Blanchard 9 and10 November 2010
  Terence Blanchard in Istanbul.
• WWE – Smackdown! 14 November 2010
  WWE – Smackdown! Istanbul.
• ABBA the Show 13 December 2010
  ABBA the Show in Istanbul.
• Vanessa Paradis 07 February 2011
  Vanessa Paradis in Istanbul.

Leave a comment below if you know any other top events in Istanbul for 2010.

The cosmopolitan city of Istanbul is named 2010 European Capital of Culture and many historic buildings and mosques in the city, including the historic Spice Bazaar and the Hagia Sophia have been restorated.

First time visitors should check out the list below of 10 great things to see and do in Istanbul. A Great list for anyone who wants a quick list of the best things to see and do when you are in Istanbul. Things you don’t want to miss.

Truth is there are way more than 10 great things to see in Istanbul, so just leave a comment if you know a few extra. Enjoy!

1. Istanbul Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul. It is the national mosque of Turkey and is one of several mosques known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.

2. Topkapi Palace
Once the seat of Ottoman power for over three centuries. At least half a day is needed to explore the Topkapi Museum; and given the high entrance fee you might want to take a full day to get your money’s worth. The must-see features are the Harem, Imperial Treasury and the views from the innermost courtyard.

3. Haghia Sophia
The truly breathtaking Haghia Sophia was first a Byzantine church, then Ottoman mosque and now a Turkish museum. Today the mosaic walls and vaulted chambers merely hint at its former glory.

4. Grand Bazaar
Istanbul Grand Bazaar three hours is about the minimum needed for a purchasing expedition. Choose your vendor from over 5,500 and prepare for an onslaught of courting and cajolements.

5. Istanbul Archaeology Museum
The Istanbul Archaeology Museum actually consists of three museums. Those are the main Archeology Museum, the Old Eastern Works Museum and the Enameled Kiosk Museum. It houses over one million objects that represent almost all of the eras and civilizations in world history.

6. Istanbul Modern
Istanbul Modern has a 8,000 square metres of exhibition space, housed in a former customs warehouse on the waterfront in Karaköy. Istanbul Modern also has a great restaurant which is a big hit in its own right with its stunning views across the Bosphorus to the minarets of Sultanahmet and out to the Marmara Sea.

7. Santral Istanbul
Santral Istanbul a major new contemporary art museum located in an old power plant which has been fully preserved. Santral istanbul incorporates spaces for contemporary artistic and cultural activities.

8. Istanbul nightlife
No matter your taste in evening activities, Istanbul nightlife can accommodate. Reina and Sortie are the superclubs of choice for the summer months, filled with super-rich crowd of models and celebrities. Anjelique is perhaps the most tasteful of the lot, while Blackk is the upmarket newcomer.

9. Istanbul Princes Islands
Set in the Marmara Sea off Istanbul’s Asian Shore, the Princes Islands are where Istanbul’s mainly non-Muslim elite built their summerhouses and pleasure palaces.

10. Istanbul Hamams
Hamams were always intended to purify and are strongly linked to the Islamic tradition of ablutions. Stick to the tourist-savvy Çemberlitaş Hamamı, Cağaloğlu Hamamı and the historic Galatasaray Hamam (oldest Turkish bath since 1481).

The very own Presidency Cycling Tour of Turkey will do their best to get the tour cycling’s distinctive feel.

The Tour of Turkey with already a history of 43 years is going to be a brand new competition this year.

The Turkish media is very enthusiastic about the event and is going to follow the complete tour.

With all the attention it is going to be a boost for Turkish tourism industry. The tour will bring also great road improvements to the surrounding areas of the route.

Who said cycling does only belong to the French, the Italian or the Spanish? Tour de Turkey will be a race that has the potential to become a very important one.

At the moment the Turkish team is training for the tour around Bodrum-Marmaris.

The tour will start in Istanbul April 13 and after eight rounds that go through the Aegean region to the Mediterranean, it will end in Alanya on April 20. The 22 international teams that will compete on this 1,076-kilometer route are vying to win the grand prize of 150,000 euros.

Tour de Turkey’ plans revealed

Source: Turkish Daily News