Belek Fire of Anatolia Dance Show at Aspendos Arena

• Pick-up from hotels in the Belek, Kadriye and Bogazkent area at around 19:30 in air-conditioned vehicles.
• A comfortable drive of approximately 20–30 minutes to Gloria Aspendos Arena.
• Tickets are handed out at the arena entrance and you take your seat in the amphitheatre.
• The first half of the Fire of Anatolia show begins at 21:00 (approximately 50 minutes).
• A 20-minute interval follows. Snacks and drinks can be purchased from the cafeteria and kiosk during the break.
• The second half of the show takes the stage (approximately 50 minutes).
• After the show you board the bus and are returned to your hotels by around 23:30.

One of the most vibrant evening experiences during a Belek holiday is watching a world-renowned performance under the stars, delivered by 120 professional dancers. The Belek Fire of Anatolia excursion takes you to Gloria Aspendos Arena in Antalya's Serik district, where you can witness one of Turkey's most prestigious dance productions first-hand.

On this page you will find everything from the history of the show and a look behind the scenes to full details of the Arena and how to join from Belek.

A Turkish Dance Troupe That Has Conquered the World

The Fire of Anatolia dance show is an artistic project that introduces Turkey's cultural wealth to the world through movement, rhythm and music. Frequently described by the international press as the Turkish Riverdance, this production has grown into a cultural brand on the same scale as Ireland's famous dance phenomenon. A professional cast of 120 dancers blends traditional folk dances with ballet and contemporary dance to tell the story of Anatolia spanning thousands of years. The troupe's core philosophy is to unite the cultural heritage of different civilisations on a single stage and turn the language of dance into a universal form of communication.

From a Dream to the Global Stage

The story of Fire of Anatolia began in 1999 with a long-held vision of Mustafa Erdogan. While conducting folk-dance research at Bilkent University, Erdogan set out to create a large-scale dance company that would fuse Anatolian folklore with modern performing arts. At the time the project was known as "Sultans of the Dance." A search for dancers, launched through newspaper advertisements, attracted 750 applicants. After a rigorous selection process 90 talented young performers were chosen, and an intensive preparation period lasting over eighteen months got under way. The debut performance on 3 May 2001 proved so popular that tickets sold out months in advance, and many additional dates had to be added. A world tour followed a year later, and the group stepped onto international stages under its new name, Fire of Anatolia.

The Rigorous Training Behind the Performance

The flawless synchronisation you see on stage is the product of a disciplined programme that runs behind the scenes. Dancers train between 8 and 16 hours a day. The curriculum goes far beyond dance technique: yoga, stretching, tailored nutrition plans and theoretical lessons on Anatolian rhythms are all part of the routine. The artistic team brings together choreographers with distinct specialisms. Mustafa Erdogan oversees halay and south-eastern Anatolian dances, Alper Aksoy focuses on folkloric movements from the Aegean region, while Oktay Keresteci is responsible for ballet and contemporary choreography. Every detail, from costume design to musical arrangement, is planned to ensure the production works as a cohesive whole.

Guinness Records and Global Recognition

Fire of Anatolia holds two Guinness World Records in the performing arts. The first is for the fastest dance performance, executed at 241 steps per minute. The second was set in Eregli on the Black Sea coast, where a single show drew an audience of 400,000 people. To date the troupe has staged more than 5,000 performances across over 85 countries, reaching a combined audience in excess of 45 million. Those figures place it among the most-watched dance companies on the planet.

The list of prestigious venues where Belek Fire of Anatolia performers have appeared includes Madison Square Garden in New York, Bercy in Paris, the Kremlin Palace in Moscow, the Chicago Theatre and the foot of the Egyptian Pyramids. The group also performed the interval act at the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest, at the 2005 Universiade opening ceremony and at the 2013 CCTV Chinese New Year Gala. Heads of state, prime ministers and members of royal families from more than 50 countries have watched the show and given standing ovations.

Two Different Show Programmes

Audiences joining the Fire of Anatolia Belek evening have the chance to see one of two different programmes depending on the day of the week. The Evolution show, staged on Tuesday evenings, presents traditional dances from a vast geography stretching from the Ottoman Empire to Azerbaijani and Georgian folklore, from the Black Sea coast to the Mediterranean shores, all reinterpreted through a modern lens. On Friday evenings the Troy dance show takes the stage, drawing its inspiration from Homer's Iliad. The legendary moments of the Trojan War, the iconic Trojan Horse scene and striking elements of ancient mythology are brought back to life through choreography, lighting and costume.

A Mesmerising Blend of Dance Styles

What sets Fire of Anatolia apart from other stage productions is its ability to weave vastly different dance disciplines into a single performance. Traditional folk dances, classical ballet figures, contemporary movements and elements of world folklore follow one another on stage. Within the folk-dance programme alone, audiences witness a remarkable range of performances.

• The spiritual atmosphere of the Mevlevi whirling-dervish ceremony
• The high-energy halay and powerful lezginka from eastern Anatolia
• Caucasian dances performed with swords, daggers and flaming torches
• The agile, athletic horon figures of the Black Sea region
• The grace and fluidity of oriental dance

The musical backdrop is inseparable from the performance. Traditional Turkish instruments, powerful drum rhythms and specially composed melodies are played live, perfectly in step with the action on stage. Thematic costumes are designed individually for each act and era; colour palettes, fabrics and accessories reflect the geography and period of each dance. On the technical side, dramatic lighting, pyrotechnics, video projections and laser technology multiply the visual impact, creating a multi-layered experience that envelops the audience.

Gloria Aspendos Arena and Its Historic Setting

The venue reached on this Belek evening excursion is an open-air amphitheatre purpose-built for large-scale productions. Spread across a total area of 13,000 square metres, the complex features a 1,300-square-metre stage, making it one of the widest performance platforms in the world. With a seating capacity of 4,700 to 5,000, the Aspendos Arena was constructed from fire-resistant materials and has a car park that accommodates more than 500 vehicles.

The arena sits in a pine-forested valley in Antalya's Serik district, roughly 17 kilometres from Belek hotels and about 45 minutes from Antalya city centre. Its location right next to the Aspendos Ancient Theatre, one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, adds a powerful historical dimension to the evening. The architectural lines inspired by the ancient theatre and its natural acoustics are echoed in the Arena's own design.

Show Season and Practical Details

The Aspendos show calendar opens each year in April and runs through to the end of November. Performances are held on two evenings per week, fixed on Tuesdays and Fridays. The show starts at 21:00 and lasts approximately 2 hours including a 20-minute interval. Each of the two halves runs for roughly 50 minutes.

Seating inside the arena is unnumbered and unreserved, so arriving early is a clear advantage for anyone who wants a central spot close to the stage. Your Fire of Anatolia tickets are handed out by your guide at the arena entrance, so there is no need to queue at the box office. Because the venue is open-air, it is worth keeping in mind that the evening air can turn cool, particularly at the start and end of the season.

Echoes of Anatolian Civilisations on Stage

Fire of Anatolia carries a cultural mission that goes far beyond entertainment. Every choreography performed on stage is a reflection of the civilisations that have left their mark on Anatolian soil. A broad historical spectrum, from the Hittite era to the Ottoman Empire and from Seljuk art to the Republican age, is interpreted through the language of dance. The synthesis of Eastern and Western cultures forms the backbone of the show. Rhythm patterns, movement styles and musical traditions from different geographies come together on a single stage, presenting the audience with Anatolia's multi-layered identity.

The universal message the show conveys is nourished by this cultural richness. Themes of peace, tolerance and love are woven into the fabric of the performance. The harmonious execution of dances from different peoples demonstrates that cross-cultural dialogue is possible through art. This message, repeated every evening on the Belek cultural excursion stage, ensures that audiences leave with a fresh perspective.

Suitable for Families and Children

Among Belek cultural tour options, Fire of Anatolia stands out for its ability to engage audiences of all ages. Colourful costumes, dynamic choreography and visual effects capture children's attention with ease. The rhythmic music and stage action create an entertaining experience for younger viewers as well. For families looking to make the most of their evenings during a holiday, this show is an ideal choice. Some tour packages also offer a buffet dinner of Turkish cuisine before the show, a practical solution for families who have been active all day and prefer to dine out.

Rules for Photography Enthusiasts

Taking photographs inside the arena is fully permitted, and the stage lighting provides rewarding shots for keen photographers. Video cameras, however, are not allowed; recording devices must be handed to staff at the entrance. After the show, professionally taken souvenir photos and a DVD recording of the performance are available for purchase. Your guide will share these rules with you during the Fire of Anatolia transfer from Belek.

A Comfortable Evening with TourBelek

TourBelek handles every aspect of the organisation so you can enjoy this Turkish dance show experience from the Belek area to Aspendos Arena in complete comfort. You are collected from your hotel door in an air-conditioned vehicle, your tickets are arranged in advance and you are safely returned to your hotel after the show. There is no upfront payment required; you settle the full amount on the day of the excursion. This makes it easy to add this unique cultural experience to your holiday plans while keeping your schedule flexible.

• Experience a live fusion of folk dance, ballet and modern dance performed by 120 professional dancers.
• Spend an unforgettable evening under the stars in the unique atmosphere of an open-air amphitheatre.
• Discover thousands of years of Anatolian cultural heritage through dance, music and visual effects.
• Enjoy a hassle-free night out with comfortable round-trip transfer from your Belek hotel.