For the past ten years, Sónar Istanbul has been broadcasting a distinct cultural signal from one of the world’s most symbolic meeting points. Positioned between Europe and Asia, the festival has grown into a vital platform where electronic music, digital culture, and forward-thinking creativity intersect. In 2026, Sónar Istanbul celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of experimentation, evolution, and global connection.
Taking place on 10–11 April 2026, the festival returns to Zorlu PSM, Istanbul’s most prestigious performing arts complex, for a special anniversary edition presented with the support of %100 Müzik. To open this landmark year, Sónar Istanbul has announced its first artist: Charlotte de Witte, one of the most influential and defining figures in contemporary techno.
De Witte’s presence sets the tone for what this anniversary represents. A global icon of modern techno, she has played a central role in bringing underground club culture to the world’s biggest stages without compromising its intensity or integrity. Her sound—driving, hypnotic, and uncompromising—embodies the scale, ambition, and cultural impact that Sónar Istanbul aims to highlight in its tenth year.
More than a retrospective, Sónar Istanbul 2026 is firmly focused on the future. Across two days and nights, the festival will once again transform Istanbul into a dense flow of sound, visuals, and ideas. Cutting-edge performances will meet immersive audiovisual experiences, unexpected collaborations, and hybrid formats that challenge traditional notions of live music and digital art.
Since its inception, Sónar Istanbul has functioned as an intimate yet powerful counterpart to Sónar Barcelona, adapting the festival’s core philosophy to the city’s multicultural, dynamic, and ever-evolving identity. Over the past decade, it has connected local creative communities with international artists and thinkers, positioning Istanbul as a key node within Sónar’s global network.
The 2026 edition looks back at ten years of boundary-pushing performances while pointing decisively toward what comes next: new formats, new collaborations, and new voices shaping the future of electronic and digital culture. With four stages, a carefully curated artistic program, and a capacity of around 5,000 people, the festival maintains its compact, immersive character while delivering a world-class experience.
With the full line-up still to be announced, anticipation is already building. What is clear is that Sónar Istanbul 2026 will be more than a celebration—it will be a statement of intent.
Two continents. One frequency. A decade of signals.
Sónar Istanbul returns on 10–11 April 2026 to Zorlu PSM for a special 10th anniversary edition, opening its milestone year with a powerful statement: Charlotte de Witte is the first artist announced.