2nd Annual SmorgasJOON: A Celebration of Iranian Angeleno Culture
On Sunday, July 26, 2026, thousands gathered at ROW DTLA for the second annual SmorgasJOON, America’s largest annual Iranian food and cultural festival. This joyous, one-day celebration brought the sights, sounds, and flavors of Iran to the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. From delicious cuisine and artisanal shopping to live music, art, and cultural experiences, SmorgasJOON honored the rich heritage, creativity, and community spirit of Iranian Angelenos. A special thank-you to Mehrdad Arabifard and his DafBang ensemble for bringing the beautiful sounds and beats of Iran to the festival; DJs Nassir Nassirzadeh and DiscoChari for keeping the music flowing throughout the day; and artist Mohtadi Mirak for sharing his beautiful personalized Persian calligraphy gifts with visitors. Our heartfelt thanks also go to Maison De La Fork and all the talented culinary and artisan purveyors whose flavors, creativity, and dedication helped make this year’s festival so unforgettable. Thank you to everyone who joined us! Relive the color, flavor, energy, and joy of this extraordinary day through these photos.
SmorgasJOON was proudly presented by Farhang Foundation in partnership with the incredible Smorgasburg LA.
All photos by Vafa Khatami
