Ferragosto

Saturday, August 15, 2026
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Free and Open to the Public

Summer is meant to be shared.

Join us for Ferragosto at Helms, a free, Italian celebration of food, music, culture, and community. Inspired by Italy’s beloved August holiday, Ferragosto is a day for gathering around the table, reconnecting with friends and family, and enjoying the simple pleasures of a summer afternoon. The holiday is traditionally celebrated with leisurely meals, music, games, and time spent together—a spirit Pasta Sisters and friends are bringing to Helms for the very first time.

For one afternoon, Helms will take on the feeling of an Italian piazza, filled with delicious food and drinks for purchase, live music, artisan demos, family activities, free tastings, and cultural experiences designed to surprise and delight. Whether you’re discovering Ferragosto for the first time or reliving a favorite tradition, we invite you to spend the day with us.

Check out the full schedule of activities and experiences happening throughout the day.

Take the Expo to see us!

Gather Around the Pasta Table

There’s nothing more Italian than making pasta together. Join Pasta Sisters for a lively demonstration of hand-rolled tortellini as they share the techniques, traditions, and craftsmanship behind one of Italy’s most cherished recipes.

Founded by Chef Paola Da Re and her family, Pasta Sisters brings generations of Italian tradition to every dish. Their house-made pastas, slow-simmered sauces, and beloved family recipes have been passed down for more than a century, creating an authentic taste of Italy right here in Culver City.

Music Throughout the Day

Live Music: Ferragosto begins with the sounds of live music as Jon Sosin & friends kick off the afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Settle in, explore the festivities, and enjoy an afternoon soundtrack that brings people together in true Italian style.

DJ: From 3:00 to 6:00 pm, DJ Benofficial keeps the celebration going with his signature open-format style. A favorite at Helms and a familiar face from our Sunshine Makers Markets, he’ll bring an energetic mix of music to Helms Avenue, creating the perfect soundtrack for an afternoon of food, art, and community.

Meet Orto Farms

Discover how thoughtful farming can make a meaningful impact. Meet the team from Orto Farms, a nonprofit urban farm cultivating fresh produce on the hillsides of Northeast Los Angeles through sustainable, water-wise growing practices. Learn about their innovative approach to small-scale agriculture, explore ways to grow more with less, and take home ideas that connect healthy food, environmental stewardship, and community. Their pop-up farmstand will feature Italian heirloom and DOP-certified produce.

Family Fun with Fondazione Italia

Families are invited to discover the joy of Italian language and culture with Fondazione Italia, Southern California’s nonprofit Italian language school. Young visitors can gather for Italian story time, create colorful pasta jewelry, and enjoy hands-on activities designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning—all with a distinctly Italian twist.

The Ferragosto Beer Garden

Celebrate the afternoon on the Father’s Office street-level patio, where the Ferragosto Beer Garden will feature a curated selection of craft beer alongside signature cocktails created especially for the occasion. Find a seat, raise a glass, and enjoy great drinks, live music, and good company in the heart of the festivities.

The Italian Marketplace

Stroll through the Italian Marketplace and discover everything from sweet treats to savory bites. Enjoy Italian food and beverages available for purchase, along with complimentary tastings from select partners. Discover award-winning gelato from Dolcenero – the first 500 new subscribers to L.A. Material will receive a scoop of Dolcenero gelato on the house. Explore cheese, salumi, and olive oil tastings from Sogno Toscano, and visit the Caffe Luxxe EspresSUV for complimentary small-batch espresso, cappuccino, and Americanos. Lei’d Cookies will be debuting three limited-edition, cookies in collaboration with Pasta Sisters, created exclusively for Ferragosto. Absolutely Nuts will offer samples of its Sicilian pistachio cream, pesto, and butter, all crafted in Sicily using traditional methods. Favorites will also be available for purchase. Round out your culinary journey with refreshing beverages for purchase including SOLZI’s signature espresso tonic, Better Booch kombucha, and more!

Play on the Lawn

Stretch out, relax, and let the kids play in IKEA’s Family Fun Lawn, an inviting extension of Helms’ grassy gathering space. With classic lawn games, picnic seating, and room to roam, it’s the perfect place for families to take a break, enjoy the afternoon, and make memories together in the heart of the Ferragosto celebration.

Room & Board x Earthworm

Meet the maker behind Earthworm, a handcrafted leather goods studio created by a member of the Room & Board team. Browse a collection of thoughtfully designed accessories made from premium Italian leather, where traditional craftsmanship meets everyday function.

Discover Culver City

Take a moment to explore the stories that make Culver City such a vibrant place to live, work, and create. Hosted by Culver City Parks, Recreation & Community Services, this interactive booth highlights local history, neighborhood landmarks, and the people, places, and programs that continue to shape the community. Stop by to learn something new and deepen your connection to the city we call home.

The Ferragosto Prize Wheel

A little luck goes a long way. Spin the Ferragosto Prize Wheel throughout the day for the chance to win prizes from some of our event partners, including Italian language classes, signed Italian cookbooks from Arcana, IKEA gift baskets, curated finds from Cisco Home and Kohler, and more. Buona fortuna!

Your Italian Postcard

No passport required. Step into our complimentary Ferragosto Photo Booth and pose in front of an iconic Italian scene worthy of a postcard. It’s the perfect way to capture your Ferragosto memories and share a little piece of Italy with friends and family.

A Moment of Well-Being

Discover Well & Whole, where Italian wellness practitioner and maker Gaia Mariani brings together ancient yogic wisdom and modern science to inspire balance, mindfulness, and personal transformation. Browse her thoughtfully curated collection of handcrafted jewelry, botanical teas, wellness goods, and other artisan creations that celebrate intentional living.

Give Back While You Gather

Ferragosto is a celebration of community, and this year we’re sharing that spirit with our neighbors. Throughout the day, we’ll be collecting new backpacks and unused school supplies for A Child’s Dream, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing essential resources for children in underserved communities. If you’re able, bring a donation and help local students start the school year with the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Every contribution makes a difference.

Cruising into Ferragosto

Buckle up, Ferragosto fans — the Vespa LA Club is rolling in with 30+ vibrantly colored Vespas expected to parade through the district. It’s a celebration of Italian style, craftsmanship, and the joy of the open road.

Parade time: To be announced live during the event.

Kohler Store
3250 Helms Avenue

Sparkle with Kohler

Stop by the Kohler Store to enjoy refreshing sparkling beverages crafted with the showroom’s innovative sparkling water faucet, the Aquifer 4-in-1. It’s a playful way to experience thoughtful design in action, one delicious sip at a time.

Scandinavian Designs
8850 Venice Boulevard

Italian Cinema

Settle in at Scandinavian Designs for a continuous screening of the timeless classic Roman Holiday. Pop in for a favorite scene or stay for the entire film as Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck journey through the streets of Rome in one of cinema’s most beloved romantic comedies.

Screening times: 1:00, 3:00, and 5:00 pm
Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes (118 minutes)

ABOUT THE FILM
Released in 1953, Roman Holiday follows Princess Ann, who slips away from her royal duties for a day of freedom in Rome, where she unexpectedly meets an American journalist. Filled with unforgettable moments, charming performances, and breathtaking views of the Eternal City, the Academy Award-winning film remains a celebration of adventure, romance, and the enduring beauty of Italy.

Step Into of the Distant Memory

Studio Dream Factory artist Andrew Niklas Curtis brings us the experience of the Distant Memory, a site-specific multimedia installation where photography, textiles, moving image, and sound converge to create an immersive landscape of remembrance. As you move through suspended fragments inspired by Italy, memories shift, overlap, and unfold around you. Before you leave, you’re invited to become part of the work by contributing a memory of your own—adding another layer to this evolving collective experience.

Photo: Andrew Niklas Curtis

Explore dear artists… Los Angeles – Streets, Structures & Stories

Experience a special exhibition presented in collaboration with
Band of Vices. Bringing together the work of more than 100 artists, dear artists… Los Angeles – Streets, Structures & Stories explores the people, places, and layered narratives that define the city through diverse artistic perspectives. 

Artwork: Kaye Freeman

Projecting Possibilities: One Night Only

As Ferragosto winds down, the celebration continues after dark. From 8:00 pm to 2:00 am, experience a special one-night-only presentation of Projecting Possibilities, featuring a recap of this year’s remarkable lineup of artists. This commemorative video celebrates the ongoing partnership between Helms Design District and Culver Arts, highlighting a year of creativity, collaboration, and our shared commitment to supporting local artists and bringing public art to the community.

We want to thank the following partners: