Street festivals are a sure sign that summer is near, just like sunflowers in bloom or snowmen screaming in agony. Celebrate the eternal cycle with this Groupon.
$12 for Two Adult Admission Passes for May 16-19 (up to a $24 Value)
Festivalgoers head to the Orange County Fair and Event Center for four days of visiting replicas of Anatolia's most famous palaces, churches, mosques, markets, and spires. A spread of doner kebabs, gozleme cheese pastries, dondurma ice cream, fruit juices, and Turkish coffee satisfy appetites worked up after hours spent admiring breathtaking scenery and live dance and music performances. Turkey's Sultan Kösen, the tallest man in the world according to Guinness World Records will be in attendance, and religious officials provide information about the Virgin Mary's home along with a replica of the structure.
Though this merchant sometimes offers a discounted price online, this Groupon is still the best deal available.
Anatolian Cultures & Food Festival
Although it takes place at the Orange County Fair and Event Center, the Anatolian Cultures & Food Festival actually exists at the nexus of thousands of years of Anatolian history. That's the way it feels, at least. Upon arrival, guests begin this trek through time at the Gates of Civilizations, whose waypoints honor 14 historic and present-day nations ranging from the mighty Hittite Empire to the modern Turkish Republic. Towering, ornate arches and a staff of highly knowledgeable costumed actors guide them through this journey, sharing the traditional dress and customs of bygone regional residents including the Ottomans, Romans, Phrygians, and Byzantines.
Once inside, guests can extend their explorations within stunning recreations of nine different Anatolian cities, grabbing lifelike views of everything from the Topkapi Palace—once occupied by Ottoman sultans—or the Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the ancient seat of the Armenian Orthodox patriarch. Along the way, they can stop for souvenirs at the bustling Grand Bazaar, where more than 100 vendor hawk traditional Near Eastern good. A traditional Turkish coffeehouse also occupies part of the festival grounds, tempting guests with cups of rich Turkish coffee that par well with the kebabs, stews, and baked goods prepared by the festival’s food vendors.