Historic Announcement!

PALOS HILLS, Ill. — The Arab American Business & Professional Association (ABPA), together with a coalition of community organizations, civic leaders, businesses, and public-sector partners, is proud to announce the inaugural Taste of Little Palestine Food & Family Festival, taking place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, Illinois.

Supported through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and in collaboration with the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, the initiative represents a significant investment in tourism, small business development, and regional economic growth.

The festival marks a historic milestone as the first regional festival dedicated to celebrating Little Palestine, one of the Midwest’s most vibrant Palestinian and Arab American communities, known for its thriving small businesses, rich culture, and renowned cuisine. The event is designed to showcase the culture, cuisine, entrepreneurship, and hospitality that have made Little Palestine a destination unlike any other in the United States.

“This is much bigger than a festival. It is a long-term investment in the future of Little Palestine and the businesses that have helped build this community over generations,” said Rush Darwish, President of the Arab American Business & Professional Association. “Through the Taste of Little Palestine Festival and Tour, we’re inviting visitors from across Illinois and beyond to experience our culture, support our small businesses, and discover a destination unlike any other. This is about creating lasting economic opportunities while sharing the hospitality and traditions that make Little Palestine so special.”

Visitors will enjoy a full day of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, live entertainment, a cultural bazaar, children’s attractions, family activities, and opportunities to discover local restaurants, retailers, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurs while experiencing the rich traditions and hospitality that define Little Palestine.

The celebration continues on Sunday, October 4, with the Taste of Little Palestine Tour, a guided experience that invites guests to explore the Little Palestine business district through visits to local restaurants, specialty shops, cultural landmarks, and neighborhood destinations. The tour offers visitors a deeper appreciation for the history, people, and entrepreneurial spirit that have helped make Little Palestine one of the country’s most distinctive cultural districts.

The festival and community tour are part of the broader Little Palestine Project, launched in 2023 to promote economic development, strengthen small businesses, and establish the region as a premier cultural and tourism destination. By attracting visitors from throughout Illinois, the Midwest, and beyond, the project aims to generate lasting economic opportunities while encouraging guests to experience everything Little Palestine has to offer long after festival weekend.

Organizers invite businesses, sponsors, volunteers, families, and visitors to be part of this historic inaugural celebration and help launch what is expected to become an annual tradition for the region.

Come for the festival. Discover the destination.

For festival information, sponsorship opportunities, vendor registration, volunteer opportunities, passport tickets, and the Taste of Little Palestine Tour.

Visit: TasteOfLittlePalestine.com beginning Monday.