Cabbage Stew Cooking Competition
Spectators taste free samples of cabbage stew prepared by locals. The cooking is done in large open cauldrons; crowd watches as judges evaluate aroma and flavor.
Cabbage Festival
Купусијада
Čačak, Serbia
Sep 25 - 27, 2026Expected
Each September, the Serbian village of Mrčajevci near Čačak fills with the smell of simmering cabbage for Kupusijada. Cooks compete for the best sauerkraut and pork stew as thousands gather to taste, in a festival now decades old that celebrates a humble dish at the heart of Serbian country cooking.
Key moments
Evening Cultural Concert
Many villagers and visitors enjoy the music, dance along, and socialize under festoon lights. Traditional dancers may perform fanfares of kolo between acts.
Around 8 PM
Where it happens
Село Мрчајевци, центар
Čačak, Serbia
Open in MapsHow to show up well
Plan the timing
Dress warmly (autumn evenings)
Respect local boundaries
Accept food samples politely, bow to elders presenting dishes. Non-gluttony as a sign of re...
Practical notes
Crowds & timing
Crowd level: high.
Tickets
Free events are available.
Reviewed mediaREGIONAL HARVEST & FOODWAYS
Cabbage Festival
Купусијада
Čačak, Serbia
Each September, the Serbian village of Mrčajevci near Čačak fills with the smell of simmering cabbage for Kupusijada. Cooks compete for the best sauerkraut and pork stew as thousands gather to taste, in a festival now decades old that celebrates a humble dish at the heart of Serbian country cooking.
Under the radarStill under the radar
Sep 25 - 27, 2026Expected dates
Verified this year
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The story behind it
Cabbage (kupus) is a staple in Serbian rural cuisine. Mrčajevci’s Kupusijada began roughly around 2003 as a community event to celebrate the harvest of smoked ribs and sauerkraut, aligning with game-cooking traditions called 'svadbarski kupus'. Over time it expanded to include art exhibitions and musical shows by national performers, highlighting Slavic village culture and cuisine.
Key moments to know
Cabbage Stew Cooking Competition
Spectators taste free samples of cabbage stew prepared by locals. The cooking is done in large open cauldrons; crowd watches as judges evaluate aroma and flavor.
Around 8 PMApproximate
Evening Cultural Concert
Many villagers and visitors enjoy the music, dance along, and socialize under festoon lights. Traditional dancers may perform fanfares of kolo between acts.
How to show up well
first-timer tips
Plan the timing
Dress warmly (autumn evenings)
Respect local boundaries
Accept food samples politely, bow to elders presenting dishes. Non-gluttony as a sign of respect to cooks is no...
Essentials at a glance
Date window
Sep 25 - 27, 2026
Estimated
City / Area
Čačak
Moravica District (Central Serbia)
Cost
Free public events available
Good for
Families welcome
Very High visitor welcome
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