The most famous annual festival taking place in Izmir is the Izmir International Festival ( http://www.byegm.gov.tr/yayinlarimiz/... ) which begins in the middle of June and lasts for an entire month. This festival has been taking place for nearly twenty years and has been home to performances from famous musicians (such as Ray Charles and Elton John) and performance groups (like the Martha Graham Dance Company) as well as to the local arts of Izmir.
In addition to this famous festival, Izmir is home to the Izmir European Jazz Festival ( http://www.ejazznews.com/modules.php?... ) which celebrates peace and friendship through the exploration of jazz music. This festival and many of the other cultural events in the area are put together by the Izmir Foundation for Culture, Arts and Education as well as the Izmir International Fair.
In addition to the annual arts and music events taking place in Izmir, the city is home to a number of international sports events, most of which also take place in the summer. The season is kicked off in July when Izmir hosts an international fencing championship. It continues all season long with events at the local university including the International University Sports Games which happen in August. Basketball is popular in Izmir and numerous events relating to the sport are also commonly enjoyed by visitors.