Food festival · Mrčajevci, Serbia

Cabbage Festival

Kupusijada · Купусијада

When is it

Usually the third weekend of September, Friday to Sunday

The 2027 date is not published yet. Last held: 18–20 Sep 2026.

At a glance

Where: Mrčajevci, Serbia
Usually: Usually the third weekend of September, Friday to Sunday
Kind: Food, Folk and Tradition

Authorship of the festival has been disputed. In 2008 the Serbian Intellectual Property Office registered Milorad Jevđović, the festival's originator, as the author of 'Kupusijada'. In 2018 two other Mrčajevci residents deposited a work called 'Kupusijada 2003' with the same office, which Jevđović called an alleged authored work; the City of Čačak and the Mrčajevci local community had earlier sued him over authorship and lost, according to a 2018 report. We found no later ruling. In 2020 the official festival was cancelled because of Covid-19, and local restaurant owners held an informal gathering anyway, which led to misdemeanor complaints against ten venues.

The centre of Mrčajevci turns into a long cooking site for three days every September. A giant pot stands across from the playground, women from the village association roll sarma by the hundred, and taverns and households cook svadbarski kupus, wedding cabbage, which in 2025 was prepared the old way in a clay pot.

The competition is the heart of it. Cooks enter in three categories, the whole village, teams and individuals, and restaurants, and the winners take home gold, silver and bronze pots. In 2025 one women's association cooked more than 1,000 portions and rolled 600 sarma, though they no longer enter the contest.

The program in 2026 shows the usual rhythm. On Friday evening local folklore groups open the festival. Saturday begins with a ceremonial opening and the raising of the festival flag, and the cooking contest runs over Saturday and Sunday, with an evening concert each night. On Sunday the jury announces the winners and a closing concert ends it. Entry is free. Eating is not: reports in recent years mention around 700 dinars for a portion of wedding cabbage under the tents.

Come hungry and come early in the day if you want a table. Mrčajevci belongs to the city of Čačak, and Čačak is the practical base for a room. The festival has an official page on Facebook (kupusijadamrcajevci1) where the program appears each year.

The festival has a history of disagreement over its authorship, described in the note under the date box. The dates are announced each year, so check the official Facebook page before you plan around them.

Editions

Year	Dates	Status	Source
2027	–	Expected
2026	18–20 Sep	Confirmed	glaszapadnesrbije.rs
2025	19–21 Sep	Confirmed	desavanja.rs
2020	–	Cancelled	telegraf.rs

Cabbage Festival: FAQ

When is Kupusijada 2027?

The dates are not out yet. It is usually held on the third weekend of September, Friday to Sunday; the 2025 and 2026 editions were on 19-21 and 18-20 September.

Is entry free?

Yes, a listing for the 2025 edition gave free entry. Food and drinks are paid, and reports mention prices under the tents.

Is this the same as the Kupusijada in Futog?

No. Futog near Novi Sad holds its own Kupusijada, usually in the autumn, built around the local Futog cabbage.

More festivals in Serbia

Turija Sausage FestivalKobasicijadaFood · Date not announcedTurija, Usually in the second half of February, Friday to Sunday, Turija, Serbia
Smoked Ham FairPršutijadaFood · Date not announcedMačkat, Usually three days in early to mid February, Mačkat, Serbia
Three days of cured-meat producers, a judged tasting and kačamak with local dairy products in a churchyard in the Zlatibor hills. Free fair, sold goods.
Usually three days in early to mid February
Bacon FestivalSlaninijadaFood · Date not announcedKačarevo, Usually four days in the second half of February, Thursday to Sunday, Kačarevo, Serbia
Belgrade Rakija FestBeogradski rakija festWine and Drink · Date not announcedBelgrade Fair, Usually a weekend in late April, over two days, Belgrade Fair, Serbia
Two April days at the Belgrade Fair with about 60 rakija brands, a judged competition, tasting courses and panels on export and serving. Aimed at the trade and at curious drinkers.
Usually a weekend in late April, over two days

All festivals in Serbia →