Arabian Nights in Seoul — Salam Seoul Festival Held at Cheonggye Plaza on September 4

The 2026 Salam Seoul Festival, a cultural exchange event with the Arab and Middle Eastern world themed on the Silk Road, was held at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on September 4. Now in its fourth year, the one-day festival brought together the embassies of six countries — Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the UAE — showcasing traditional crafts, costumes, and halal and vegan content.

The Middle East is a new market that Korean tourism is working hard to develop, and interest in Muslim-friendly travel infrastructure, such as halal restaurants and prayer rooms, is growing alongside.

The festival wrapped up after a single day, but the Seoul Metropolitan Government says it plans to keep expanding cultural exchange with the Arab and Middle Eastern region. Check announcements from the organizers (Seoul City and the Seoul Tourism Association) for upcoming events.