The traditional Taste of Serbia 2026 festival, organized by Old Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church at Palmer Square, will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13.
Visitors can expect live music, authentic Serbian food, domestic and imported drinks and good entertainment. They will also be able to learn about the church’s history and activities, as well as win valuable prizes prepared by the festival sponsors.
During the two-day gathering, visitors will be entertained by local tamburitza musicians who came to Palmer as children in their parents’ arms. 
“Since they began playing, the church and the tamburitza have become inseparable elements of their being, like body and soul. That is why we proudly announce the Palmer band ‘Ritam Rakije,’ which will entertain guests for two days on string instruments,” said the church rector, Father Dragan Arsić.
He announced that the festival will welcome renowned American actress and literary artist of Serbian descent Natalija Nogulich. She is best known to audiences for her role as space station commander Alina Nechayev in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She is scheduled to appear at the festival Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.
Festival Hours
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026: 12 p.m.–10 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026: 12 p.m.–7 p.m.
Address: 3062 W. Palmer Square Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
Info: 773 252 4545
Sunday Program, Liturgy and Serbian Unity
On Sunday, Sept. 13, the festival will continue with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy beginning at 10 a.m., celebrated by Bishop Serafim. Also attending will be the Consul General of the Republic of Serbia, His Excellency Dr. Marko Nikolić, and Her Excellency Tatjana Telić, Consul General of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A cheirothesia will be performed at the beginning of the liturgy, and after the service a flag will be raised as a sign Day of Serbian national unity.
The Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag, observed on Sept. 15, is one of the key dates that symbolically affirms unity and respect for the shared history of the Serbian people.
Serbian national unity is emphasized primarily as a cultural category based on preserving spiritual and national identity.
Strengthening ties between Serbia and Republika Srpska is achieved through joint events, political dialogue and the building of infrastructure and spiritual bridges.
“On Sunday afternoon, our guest of honor will be renowned tamburitza virtuoso and world-renowned artist from Vienna, the ‘Invisible Strings’ of Europe, Branko Jovanović Bako. He will join the band ‘Ritam Rakije’ and, with an extended intermezzo, present himself to the audience and greatly enrich our festival, giving it a Taste of world music, the finest melodies of bećarac and divine harmonies that can be felt and heard only at concerts by the most talented musicians and masterful performers,” Father Dragan announced.
Photo: Milan Brašanac
