CULVER CITY, Calif., July 16, 2026 — Pasta Sisters, the popular Italian restaurant celebrated for its scratch-made pasta and generational family recipes, is teaming up with Helms Design District to bring the Italian summer tradition of Ferragosto to Southern California. The free, street fair-style event is open to all ages and takes place Saturday, Aug. 15, from 1 to 6 p.m.
For one day only, the historic Helms campus will transform into an Italian-inspired piazza filled with a vibrant array of local food and beverage vendors, entertainment, and family activities.
Highlights include a beer garden from Father’s Office; live music; baby dance-alongs (in Italian) led by nonprofit language school Fondazione Italia; an Orto Farms produce stand featuring heirloom Italian and DOP-certified varietals; complimentaryCaffe Luxxe espresso; gelato from award-winning Dolcenero; cheese, salumi, and olive oil tastings from Sogno Toscano; Pasta Sisters pasta-making demonstrations; an IKEA family fun lawn; and more.
Ferragosto is a widely celebrated summer holiday in Italy. Rooted in centuries-old tradition and originating as a day of rest following an intense harvest season, today it’s marked by family gatherings, outdoor celebrations, abundant food and drink, and often seaside visits. Ferragosto at Helms embraces the spirit of this Italian celebration, while adding a local twist by bringing together community businesses from Culver City and beyond.
“Ferragosto is one of our favorite days of the year back home. It's about slowing down, being together, and enjoying summer,” said Giorgia Sinatra, Creative Director and one of the “sisters” behind Pasta Sisters. “We wanted to bring that same spirit to our Helms community: good food, good music, and a whole neighborhood out celebrating summer together.”
Participants include Helms Design District shops and restaurants offering Ferragosto-inspired activations for the day and community partners popping up to offer samples, sell goods, educate, or create a unique experience for the occasion.
The celebration will also give back: Ferragosto at Helms is collecting school supplies for A Child’s Dream, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing essential items and resources to children in underserved local communities. Attendees are encouraged to bring new backpacks and unused school supplies to the event, where they will be collected throughout the day.
Guests can enjoy:
- Live music from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a DJ from 3 to 6 p.m., with special breaks for baby dance-alongs hosted by Fondazione Italia, the nonprofit Italian language school
- Tortellini demonstrations from Pasta Sisters, where attendees can learn the craft of rolling authentic Italian tortellini
- An Orto Farms stand featuring Italian heirloom and DOP-certified produce
- Additional family activities from Fondazione Italia, including Italian story time and pasta-jewelry making
- A beer garden hosted by Father's Office
- Italian food and drink (both for purchase and complimentary samples), including award-winning gelateria Dolcenero; cheese, salumi, and olive oil tastings from Sogno Toscano; and the Caffe Luxxe “EspresSUV” serving complimentary small-batch espresso, cappuccino, and Americano; alongside offerings from local businesses like SOLZI espresso tonic, Better Booch kombucha, and more
- A family fun lawn hosted by IKEA featuring lawn games
- Artisan goods from Italian makers like Gaia Mariani of Well & Whole (offering wearable gems, organic teas, etc.) and local ceramicist Betsey Carter of Betsey Carter Ceramics
- Italian art and culture experiences including classic Italian cinema on loop at the Scandinavian Designs showroom, as well as an immersive Italian-inspired installation from Studio Dream Factory (a creative partner for the Museum of Ice Cream)
- Educational booth from Culver City Parks & Recreation spotlighting local history, community, and culture
- A spin-to-win wheel offering prizes throughout the day (Italian language courses; signed Italian cookbooks from Arcana; IKEA gift baskets; plus items from Cisco Home and Kohler; and more)
- Free Ferragosto-themed photo boot
- A collaborative exhibition with Band of Vices gallery titled “dear artists… Los Angeles – Streets, Structures & Stories” that brings together more than 100 artists to explore the layered narratives that shape Los Angeles
The event takes place on Helms Walk, the pedestrian plaza just outside Pasta Sisters at the Helms Design District (8800 Venice Blvd., Culver City). Free parking is available in Helms surface parking lots. Street parking is also available. Follow @pasta_sisters and @helmsdesigndistrict on Instagram for the latest updates on event programming. More information is available at https://helmsdesigndistrict.com/ferragosto/
About Pasta Sisters
Pasta Sisters began with Paola Da Re, mother to Francesco, Francesca, and Giorgia, all of whom are involved in the day-to-day operations and often seen greeting guests at the restaurants. After moving to the United States in 2010 from the small northern Italian town of Padova, Da Re worked as a nanny for two Los Angeles families, often preparing fresh pasta, gnocchi, lasagna, and tiramisu using her family's generational recipes. The meals quickly became so popular that she was encouraged to open her own restaurant. In 2015, Pasta Sisters opened their first location — an intimate, deli-counter-style shop with just three tables in Los Angeles' Mid-City neighborhood. The restaurant was an immediate success, with guests lining up out the door for made-from-scratch pasta, house sauces rooted in Italian tradition, warm hospitality, and their signature salted focaccia. Ten years later, the family runs three restaurants across Southern California, including at the historic Helms Design District in Culver City and in Costa Mesa, Calif. In 2024, Pasta Sisters was awarded the “Ospitalità Italiana – Marchio Q” certification by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West. This designation recognizes businesses that meet rigorous standards for Italian hospitality, including customer service, ambiance, use of authentic Italian products, and attention to cultural heritage. The Pasta Sisters' secret is simple: fresh ingredients of extraordinary quality showcasing the best of what Italy and California have to offer; pasta made fresh from scratch daily; time-tested, generational family recipes; and the spirit of dining in the home of a loving Italian grandmother. Because, in fact, you are. For more information, visit pastasisters.com or follow @pasta_sisters on Instagram.
About the Helms Design District
Helms Design District is where Los Angeles comes together through design, dining, culture, and community. What began as the iconic Helms Bakery has evolved into a vibrant destination in the heart of Culver City, home to award-winning restaurants, distinctive home furnishings showrooms, and a year-round calendar of exhibitions, lectures, installations, and public programs. Whether you're discovering inspiring design, sharing a meal with friends, or experiencing something unexpected, Helms invites you to linger, explore, and connect. Come for one reason. Stay for countless others. For more information, visit helmsdesigndistrict.com or follow @helmsdesigndistrict on Instagram.
