A range of sporting equipment, clothing, shoes and accessories are displayed at the annual Sport World Fair, within Istanbul's CNR Expo. Attracting active visitors, including world-famous athletes, the fair also features tournaments, shows and award ceremonies.

The king of motor sports, Formula One, travels to Turkey for one of the 19 races of the season. The Istanbul Park circuit hosts the Turkish Grand Prix along with thousands of keen spectators.

Starting in Bahrain, the 2010 Formula One season crosses four continents, ending with the big finale in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Highlights include the Monaco Grand Prix, set on the roads of Monte Carlo, and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where you can expect passionate support from Ferrari's fanatical tifosi.

Polonezkoyu, Istanbul's Polish district, organises the Cherry Festival to celebrate the culture and tradition of the Polish community living in the Turkish capital. Boasting an outstanding natural park, Polonezkoyu is enlivened by folk dancing, concerts, recitals and other traditional activities.

Classical music fans flock to Istanbul for a music marathon with the International Istanbul Music Festival, first held in 1973. Featuring more than 500 artists, the event takes up several historical venues, including the Topkapi Palace.

Throughout the summer many other Istanbul festivals incorporate theatre, film and jazz as well as several special projects that run simultaneously. The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts is responsible for this cultural overload and has been recognised with the Trophée Internationale des Arts et de la Culture by the Institut International de Promotion et de Prestige of UNESCO.

A ballet spectacular takes place at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall during the Istanbul International Ballet Competition. International competitors perform in two categories for the generous top prize of €6000 and the Outstanding Young Dancer award.

Bosphorus Cross Continental is Istanbul's annual Asia-to-Europe swimming, rowing and sailing competition. Thousands of Turkish and international athletes aged from 14 to 71 take part under the motto "everyone needs sport". Visitors can also enjoy water-skiing and jet-skiing shows. The swimming competition begins in the ferry port of Kanlica on the Black Sea, the Asian side of Istanbul, and ends in Kuruçeþme Cemil Park on the European side - a total distance of 6.5km.  The rowing race takes place on a 1600-metre course stretching from the Arnavutköy ferry port to Kuruçeþme Cemil Park bleachers, while the regattas depart from the Kandilli ferry port and end in Kuruçeþme Cemil Park.

Celebrating cultures from around the world, the international Eurasia Culture Festival brings people together through the arts. Held in Istanbul, the festival encompasses dance, music, ballet and other artistic disciplines by groups from as far afield as Mexico and South Korea.

The breadth and depth of the Turkish ready-to-wear clothing industry is revealed at the biannual International Istanbul Fashion Fair, held at the CNR Expo. Turkish and international designers, manufacturers, importers, global brands, retailers and department chains are all present.

Young blood is often injected into the proceedings, with budding talent from international fashion schools. Please visit the International Istanbul Fashion Festival website for an online invitation form.

Attracting businesses and individuals from all over the world, Istanbul Design Week at the old Galata Bridge provides a space to unleash creativity, compare ideas and pick up on new trends through a range of exhibits, shows and events.

The event, which is driven by the theme "meeting" in 2010, is held around the iconic landmark connecting the Asian and European sides of Istanbul. Exhibitions include Shaping Forces by Ney & Partner with sculptural pieces on the themes of geometry and topology, Ideas from Rotterdam, displaying a variety of works for brands like Ikea, Senseo and Maxi-Cosi, and Helsinki Design, which presents a series of futuristic design concepts.
Workshops, lectures, parties awards and competitions run alongside the main event.

Filmekimi is a film festival by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts held at the Beyoðlu Emek Movie Theatre. It gives visitors a second chance to see productions previously screened at major festivals such as Cannes, Berlin and Venice.

A celebration of the pear-shaped stringed instrument and a tribute to one of the greatest exponents of Ud music, Istanbul's International Yorgo Bacanos Ud Festival revives ancient Middle Eastern traditions. Concerts, workshops and seminars are held at the Sepetçiler Mansion.