Join Zakat Foundation of America at the 3rd Annual 2026 Turkish Festival

On the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, you can stand with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia, and for one weekend each year, Ertuğrul USA creates a similar bridge between Turkish culture and the Illinois community. Mark your calendars: the 3rd Annual Turkish Festival takes over the Tinley Park Convention Center on August 1–2, 2026, and Zakat Foundation of America (ZFA) is proud to return as this year's Executive Sponsor. 

New and improved for 2026: Grand Bazaar entry is free! Certain programs and activities require a ticket but joining the bazaar, browsing artisan booths, and soaking in the atmosphere costs nothing. Whether you're a Turkish American reconnecting with your roots or simply curious about a culture that has shaped history, this festival is built for everyone. 

Performances and Programs You Won't Want to Miss 

This year's lineup brings together voices from across the Turkish American cultural landscape. Cenk Uygur, founder of The Young Turks and a leading progressive news host, joins the festival's speaker series. Mesut Kurtis, the biggest Macedonian Turkish vocalist  in nasheed and Islamic music, takes the stage for a live performance. And the Sema Group brings the centuries-old tradition of sema, the whirling ceremony rooted in the mystical practice of Hz. Mevlânâ (Rumi), rare chance to witness it live. 

Beyond the main stage, expect art demonstrations in ceramics, calligraphy, and illumination. The festival also hosts educational panels with leading speakers and a matrimonial program connecting American Muslims looking to find their other half. 

 Our Work in Türkiye 

As the charity sponsors of this festival reflect roots, the collaboration reflects the efforts we've built in Türkiye over many years. Zakat Foundation of America has maintained an office in Gaziantep for the past 15 years, giving us a deep, on-the-ground presence in the country long before most other organizations. 

That presence proved critical when the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Türkiye in February 2023. Our local team mobilized within hours, and we've remained engaged ever since, operating a Tent Village in Adıyaman that provides displaced families with secure shelter, electricity, water access, a school, and a supermarket, along with the Eliyaman Women’s Cooperative, a new handicraft bazaar empowering women to rebuild their lives. Stop by our booth this year to learn more about our work in Türkiye and how you can support it. 

A City Behind the Celebration 

This year's festival arrives on the heels of multiple civic recognitions: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recently declared August "Turkish Heritage Month," honoring Turkish culture, cuisine, and community across the city, with this festival named as part of that celebration. Last year's event welcomed the Ambassador of Türkiye to the United States, Mr. Sedat Önal, among other dignitaries, underscoring just how far this gathering has grown in only two years. 

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Türkiye like never before. Bring your family and friends and create memories you'll be talking about long after the festival ends. 

Join us August 1–2, 2026, at the Tinley Park Convention Center.