What is Seb-i Arus?

Seb-i Arus, meaning wedding night, commemorates the death of Mevlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi in 1273. Rumi described his death as a reunion with the divine, so the ceremonies are a commemoration, not a mourning. The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism organises it.

At its centre is the Sema, the whirling ceremony of the Mevlevi order, on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2008.

When is Seb-i Arus 2026?

From 7 to 17 December 2026. The 17th, the anniversary, is the peak night, with far higher demand than the rest of the programme.

What happens at the Sema ceremony?

Programmes at the Mevlana Culture Center run about two hours:

  1. Quranic recitation
  2. A discussion of the Mesnevi
  3. Turkish Sufi music
  4. The Sema
Fast fact
The Sema is a religious ritual, not a show. Applause is not customary, and the ceremonial venues restrict photography.

Where is Seb-i Arus held?

In Konya, centred on the Mevlana Culture Center and the Mevlana Museum, Rumi's tomb. Konya is a more conservative city than Istanbul.

Mevlana Culture Center, Konya

How to get to Konya for Seb-i Arus

By high-speed train

Direct high-speed services run from Ankara and Istanbul. Most visitors arrive this way.

By plane

Konya has its own airport.

Getting around Konya

The city's tram line connects the centre, and distances are short. Book accommodation early: the commemoration fills Konya's hotels in December.

How much are Seb-i Arus tickets?

The main Sema ceremonies are ticketed through the official channel. Visitor coverage reports evening ceremonies at around 250 to 300 lira per person. That is not an official published rate, so check the official channel.

Talks, exhibitions and many smaller events across the ten days are free.