LARP Events in Turkey: A Growing Scene with Unique Adventures
Turkey's live-action roleplay (LARP) scene is thriving with unique, narrative-driven events that blend fantasy, history, and local legend. Over the past decade, passionate organizers have built a community from the ground up – from Istanbul's first official LARP group to Anatolian myth-inspired games in Central Turkey. Many events are bilingual or English-friendly, and groups often welcome newcomers and international participants. Whether you're seeking a "fantasy LARP in Turkey" or "live action roleplay in Istanbul", you'll find immersive adventures set in castles, parks, and cultural venues. Notably, some games even draw on Turkey's rich folklore and history, letting players step into Anatolian legends while learning about local myths. Below is a comprehensive list of currently active in-person LARP events in Turkey. Each listing includes the city, primary language, genre, a brief description, and where to find more information.
LARP Türkiye is the pioneering LARP organization in Turkey's largest city, Istanbul. They run an ongoing fantasy campaign known as "Ejderin Nefesi" ("Dragon's Breath") – a story of clashing kingdoms, quests, and intrigue in a homebrew medieval world. Events are typically held outdoors (parks or historical sites) and feature foam weapon combat, detailed costumes, and collaborative storytelling. As Turkey's first official LARP group, LARP Türkiye emphasizes community and creativity; they often host tavern-style roleplay meetups and day-long quest games. The organizers are experienced international LARPers, so non-Turkish speakers are welcome (many members speak English).
Official Pages:
Find event announcements and contact info on their Facebook LARP Türkiye page or Instagram @larpturkiye.
Key Features
Turkey's first official LARP group
Fantasy campaign "Ejderin Nefesi"
Outdoor events in historical settings
English-friendly community
Anatolian Legends – Eskişehir
(Primary Language: Turkish)
Genre/Theme:
Historical Fantasy & Mythology
Description:
Anatolian Legends is a community LARP project in Eskişehir that brings Turkey's own myths and legends to life. Their events are narrative-driven dramas where players portray heroes, villagers, and mythical figures from Anatolian folklore. For example, in one recent scenario ("Od Han'ın Dönüşü" – Return of Od Han), participants donned period costumes to reenact an ancient legend in real time. Games often have educational and cultural elements – Anatolian Legends works with local youth centers to introduce young players to history through interactive storytelling. Events typically run on weekends (sometimes spanning a full day or two) and are immersive but newbie-friendly. While the dialogue and story are in Turkish, the visually rich setting and universal themes make these events enjoyable for all.
Official Pages:
Follow @anatolianlegends on Instagram for schedules and sign-up forms (Linktree available). Local organizer contacts are also provided via the Eskişehir Büyükşehir Youth Centre.
Highlights
Focuses on Anatolian mythology and folklore
Educational and cultural elements
Weekend-long immersive experiences
Collaborates with local youth centers
METUCON LARP (ODTÜ BKFT) – Ankara
(Primary Language: Turkish/English Bilingual)
Genre/Theme:
Multi-Genre – Varies by Year (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, etc.)
Description:
METUCON is an annual science fiction & fantasy convention held at Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) in Ankara. Alongside its tabletop RPG sessions and cosplay contests, METUCON hosts short-format LARPs tied to each year's theme. These one-shot games (usually a few hours long) let attendees jump into characters and storylines ranging from classic medieval fantasy to dystopian cyberpunk. For instance, METUCON 2023's theme was Cyberpunk, and the con featured on-campus LARP scenarios in neon-soaked future settings. The convention is popular with students and expats, so most activities are bilingual – game masters can accommodate English-speaking players. To join a METUCON LARP, you'll need a convention pass plus a small LARP ticket (the con uses a ticket system for RPG and LARP sessions).
Official Pages:
Visit metucon.org for event dates (usually spring each year) and the ODTÜ BKFT (Sci-Fi & Fantasy Society) Facebook page for LARP sign-ups and updates.
Convention-Based LARP (Theme Varies, e.g. Cyberpunk, Mystery)
Description:
İzmirCon is a long-running annual geek convention in Izmir, known for its broad range of activities from board games and cosplay to role-playing games. In recent years İzmirCon has introduced immersive live-roleplay events that engage attendees in an overarching story or puzzle throughout the con. In 2024, for example, İzmirCon's theme was Cyberpunk and organizers unveiled an interactive narrative called "Project Genesis" – a mystery involving mega-corporation factions, underground rebels, and high-tech intrigue. Con-goers could join factions like the tech conglomerate NavTech or the protest group Rage Against (RA!) and uncover clues around the venue. These live-action scenarios function like a light LARP or immersive drama running parallel to other con events, allowing participants to roleplay characters in the theme's universe. İzmirCon draws hobbyists from all over Turkey (and some international guests), so while most in-game interaction is in Turkish, you'll find many English speakers and an inclusive atmosphere.
Official Pages:
See izmircon.net for convention info and programming. The İzmirCon Facebook/Instagram pages announce each year's theme and how to join special events (look for hashtags like #larp and #mystery in their posts).