Like a mini tour of Italy, the family-friendly Houston Pasta Festival grants attendees access to a wide variety of pastas! Try the quintessential food prepared long, short, stuffed and layered combined with assorted sauces and toppings. More than 20 local restaurants and Italian chefs are participating plus a handful of international cuisine restaurants showcasing Italian fusion dishes. In addition to tastings, there is a “Pasta Today in Houston” panel discussion led by Houston-based food experts and writers including CultureMap restaurant critic Eric Sandler and Houston Chronicle food columnist J.C. Reid. Children can take a pasta-making workshop, too.

Per the event website, “the event is underwritten by the Italian government’s True Italian Taste campaign, which promotes awareness of authentic Italian food and wine products and authentic Italian foodways.”

Tickets are $35 per person online and $40 per person at the door on the day of the event.