UK: This major festival is actually a hidden gem for vegan food

From veganfoodandliving.com

It’s won Best Family Festival six times, but what you might not know is that Camp Bestival is surprisingly vegan-friendly

There’s something so magical about festivals in the UK. The excitement as you search for outfits on Vinted and plan for rain, sun and everything in between.

The race to set up your tent in a good spot (and wondering whether 2pm is too early for a G&T).

And then the event itself – exploring, shopping, dancing, making new friends and of course, eating the most delicious street food.

But for those of us who don’t eat meat and dairy, or anyone wanting to cut down on animal foods, is there enough to keep you satiated for four whole days of partying?

We visited Camp Bestival – dubbed a ‘festi-holiday’ near the sea in sunny Dorset and host to big name acts like Fat Boy Slim, Bastille and Self Esteem – to find out what’s on offer.

                                                                                                          © Camp Bestival/Canva

Vegan street food at Camp Bestival

One of the best things about Camp Bestival, which was set up in 2008 by DJ Rob Da Bank and his wife Josie, is its friendly, happy vibe. Wondering around the site, you’re met with endless smiles and a willingness to share tips – including on where to find the best food.

With so many vendors to choose from and a tight budget to spread across 4 days, every meal requires careful consideration. No one wants to waste £6 on a sad-looking portion of chips, when they could’ve had a big stack of tacos.

Part of the fun is spotting what other people are eating and asking for directions to the street food van. Almost every food joint has one or more vegan options at Camp Bestival.

Festival favourite Mel's Tropical Kitchen serves up fresh vegan dishes with a Caribbean twist. Photo © Holly Johnson/Vegan Food & Living

Vegan breakfast and lunch at Camp Bestival

En route from the campsite to the main festival arena, I spot a bakery selling fresh breads and pastries. The focaccia is vegan-friendly, along with all the freshly-made sourdough loaves.

The stand next door sells smoothies, smashed avocado and fruit pots – all vegan and perfect for a healthy, energy-packed start to a day of festivaling. We’re off to a good start!

For lunch, we stop at Chickenish (a regular at the UK’s biggest vegan festival, Vegan Camp Out) and – yep – everything is vegan! After a good ten minutes starring at the menu, discussing in great detail what to go for, my daughter chooses the Hot as Honey burger, made with spicy vegan ‘honey’, baconnaise, ranch slaw and crispy onions.

It looks INCREDIBLE.

I watch with envy as she tucks into the soy-based vegan chicken burger, dripping with gooey sauce and topped with crunchy onions. She says it’s the best thing she’s ever eaten, and we vow to return the next day.

Budget vegan food at Camp Bestival

Of course, you can take your own food to the festival, but – as with any festival – carrying bags of food shopping from the car to the tent, keeping it cold and cooking it isn’t the easiest.

Taking a small gas camping stove and a kettle is a good idea, so you can heat water for cups of tea and the odd pot of noodles. Packs of vegan croissants are also handy for a quick breakfast – in fact, the little camping shop near our tent sold vegan pastries, so we could replenish stocks when we ran out.

Another top tip is to find the WI Tent. A cult favourite at Camp Bestival, the tent is run by the Women’s Institute, offering sandwiches, cakes, tea and coffee at bargain prices.

I didn’t expect to find anything vegan-friendly, but lo and behold they had vegan cheese and tomato sandwiches freshly made to order! Costing just a couple of pounds, this felt like a big win.

World foods at Camp Bestival

Later on, I stumble across a Basque food van called the Basque Street Boys (who can resist such a good pun?). To my delight, they whip up a cornflour galette known as ‘Taloak’ filled with roasted veggies and some crunchy patata bravas on the side.

In fact, there’s vegan street food from all over the world at Camp Bestival – falafels loaded with pickles and dips, Nepalise dishes bursting with flavour and colour, spicy Thai noodles, ramen, katsu curries and much more.

A delicious and colourful falafel bowl at Camp Bestival. Photo © Holly Johnson/Vegan Food & Living

Late night vegan eats

Anyone who’s been to a weekend-long festival will know that carbs rule.

You’re on your feet all day, exploring the site, dancing to the bands and DJs and maybe even taking part in a bit of yoga or HIIT. Throw some wine, beer or cocktails into the mix and a few nights on an airbed and it’s safe to say your body needs some quick energy wins!

So, despite my good intentions, carbs were my best friend when discovering what’s vegan at Camp Bestival.

I tucked into a few cheese-free pizzas at Carvanserai (a whimsical hideaway where DJs and acrobats perform day and night, and by far my favourite area of the festival). Vegan cheese would’ve been a nice option, but the fresh dough and delicious veggies hit the spot without the need for anything pretending to be dairy.

Loaded fries are another festival favourite, and Camp Bestival offers loaded vegan dirty fries a plenty. I went for the pulled mushrooms with a garlic mayonnaise sauce and was not disappointed – even the non-vegans were asking to try them.

Vegan food demos at Camp Bestival

As if that wasn’t enough, a recent addition to Camp Bestival in Dorset is Slomo Wellbeing. This unique sanctuary experience allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of the festival to take part in yoga classes, meditation, sound therapy and even saunas and ice baths.

Camp Bestival’s Slomo Reset Retreat has hot tubs for hire, where you can kick back in a whirl of bubbles, enjoy a drink and watch the revellers go by.

And in the House of Refresh, you can indulge yourself in a pampering session, complete with hot showers, hairdryers, hair straighteners and vegan-friendly Tropic beauty products.

In keeping with the holistic vibe of this area of the festival, there are plant-based chefs on-hand to provide cooking demos.

2026 will see the incredibly talented Niki Webster from Rebel Recipes take the stage to share her tips for creating whole food plant-based dishes, along with Kelly Barfoot and Bettina Campolucci Bordi.

The festival is clean and family-friendly. Photo © Holly Johnson/Vegan Food & Living

Sustainability at Camp Bestival

Having been to Camp Bestival several times now, I’m always impressed by how well managed the site is. There are plenty of bins and a sense of pride in looking after the Lulworth Castle Estate.

Organisers Josie and Rob Da Bank are passionate about sustainability, reducing waste each year and recycling over 60% of what is produced.

The festival also uses HVO – a biofuel with much lower carbon emissions than diesel.

So what are you waiting for? Book your ticket for this year’s Camp Bestival now!

Whether you choose to go for the day or stay for the whole weekend, it’s a ‘festi-holiday’ you won’t forget – and vegans definitely won’t go hungry.

https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/vegan-lifestyle/travel/vegan-camp-bestival/ 

UK: VegfestUK Announces Return of Bristol Vegan Fayre on the Summer Solstice Weekend

From vegconomist.com

VegfestUK has announced that Bristol Vegan Fayre will return to Document in the heart of the city in 2026.

This year’s event takes place on June 20, marking the summer solstice weekend. It will be attended by up to 100 independent traders, and will also feature two talk rooms, a DJ booth, and an outdoor stage with live music and comedy.

Traders will include artisan plant-based food producers, charities and campaigns focused on the environment and animal rights, and suppliers of vegan bodycare, clothing, and accessories. Guests will be able to discover a host of information about the benefits of plant-based lifestyles.

Several vegan authors will also be present; these will include John King, who is the author of The Football Factory and a book about animal laboratories, Peekaboo Bosh.

© VegfestUK

Up to 2,000 visitors expected

The announcement comes after VegfestUK revealed that it would be hosting Vegfest Free, described as the UK’s largest free vegan festival, in Birmingham on April 25.

“My first festival in 1981 aged 18 was at Stonehenge on the solstice, and I fell in love with festivals then,” said organiser Tim Barford. “Bristol Vegan Fayre effectively traces its roots back to Stonehenge Free Festival, and it’s a pleasure to be hosting Bristol Vegan Fayre on the summer solstice this year. And with no Glastonbury in 2026, there’s an emphasis on entertainment, music, and comedy at our event, which is set to attract up to 2,000 people this year.”

Bristol Vegan Fayre will be open from 10 am to 6 pm at Document, located at 30 Pennywell Rd, St Jude’s, Bristol BS5 0TH.

https://vegconomist.com/fairs-events/vegfestuk-announces-return-bristol-vegan-fayre-summer-solstice-weekend/ 

UK: Veganism-Celebrating Food Festivals

From trendhunter.com

Vegfest Free is Coming to the UK in Spring 2026

Vegfest Free has been announced as an upcoming food festival in the UK that celebrates and embraces veganism to help consumers of all walks enjoy experiences themed around the lifestyle. The free food festival will take place in Birmingham at the Edbaston Cricket Ground on Saturday, April 25, 2026 and will boast up to 170 vegan-friendly food stalls. The event will also feature more than 30 speakers, live music, family-friendly activities and as many as 64 independent traders, community organizations and small charities.

                                                                                                                Image Credit: VegfestUK


Sponsor Heather Mills spoke on the Vegfest Free food festival saying, "Now more than ever, it is time to support each other and work together within the broader vegan community. Vegfest Free presents a unique opportunity to stand alongside independent organisations while introducing thousands of people to the benefits of vegan lifestyles.”

https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegfest-free

 

8 budget-friendly vegan festivals middle-class travellers can’t stop talking about

From vegoutmag.com

By Maya Flores

From Thai street feasts to UK campfires, discover eight vibrant, budget-friendly festivals where plant-based food and community spirit warmly welcome travellers worldwide 

Imagine vibrant celebrations where the aroma of vegan delicacies fills the air and strangers become friends over shared meals.

These plant-forward festivals around the world prove that you don’t need a luxury budget to experience incredible culture, community, and cuisine.

From street-food feasts in bustling cities to spiritual gatherings in serene forests, each festival welcomes travellers with open arms and open kitchens.

Here’s a journey through 8 affordable festivals that celebrate plant-based living in sensory, warm, and community-rooted ways.

1. Phuket Vegetarian Festival – Thailand

Spiritual Street Feasts in Old Phuket: Each autumn, Phuket’s streets erupt in a spectacle of incense, drums, and endless vegan street food.

Locals dressed in pure white glide past lantern-lit shrines, honouring a centuries-old vow of purification and compassion. By day, food stalls sizzle with jeh cuisine – fragrant noodles, golden fried taro, and tofu satay slathered in peanuts.

By night, processions of entranced devotees carry the energy of the crowd with them, firecrackers popping in celebration.

Despite the dramatic rituals, an uplifting community spirit pervades: families offer free meatless meals to passers-by and travellers are welcomed as kin at temple feasts.

This austere yet exuberant festival costs little more than your appetite, making it a bucket-list cultural experience that’s both profound and budget-friendly.

2. Vegan Forest Festival (Sadhana Forest) – Auroville, India

A Communal Vegan Camp-Out Under the Stars: In an acacia forest on India’s southern coast, hundreds gather for a weekend of off-grid living and heartfelt connection.

At Sadhana Forest’s Vegan Forest Festival, money has no meaning – entry, workshops, and even delicious vegan meals are all gifted by volunteers in the spirit of sharing.

You’ll wake to the sound of birds and yoga chants, spend days learning about planting trees and plant-based cooking, and dance to drum circles by night. Laughter echoes through palm-thatch huts as people of all ages swap stories and coconuts.

The focus here is on sustainability, compassion, and community – from composting toilets to open-mic jam sessions. With free camping and boundless good vibes, this festival invites you to reconnect with nature and humanity in the most nurturing way.

3. Bali Vegan Festival – Ubud, Indonesia

Tropical Flavors and Soulful Vibes in Ubud: In Bali’s cultural heart of Ubud, this festival feels like a holistic retreat meets foodie paradise.

Lush gardens host morning meditation and yoga classes, while nearby stalls burst with colour – dragonfruit smoothies, spicy tempeh satay, and raw chocolate treats.

The UBUD International Vegan Festival is free and open to all, reflecting Bali’s welcoming spirit.

You’ll mingle with locals and travellers under fluttering prayer flags as live gamelan music sets a serene backdrop.

By afternoon, join workshops on herbal healing or sustainable living, then catch inspiring talks by plant-based chefs and activists sharing eco-tips. As sunset paints the rice terraces gold, communal tables fill with laughter and the clink of young coconuts.

Affordable and uplifting, this festival nourishes body and soul, embodying Bali’s “heart and soul of vegan” ethos.

4. Veganes Sommerfest – Berlin, Germany

Europe’s Biggest Vegan Party at Alexanderplatz: Berlin’s Veganes Sommerfest is a three-day carnival of plant-based joy right in the city centre.

Entry is completely free, and its all-volunteer crew has grown it into Europe’s largest vegan festival with over 65,000 visitors attending each summer.

Follow your nose through a maze of 100+ stalls cooking up global flavours – smoky vegan Döner kebabs, cinnamon-dusted churros, and cheese-free pizza bubbling in wood-fired ovens.

The air hums with energy: street musicians strum, kids squeal from a vegan ice cream truck, and new friends clink biodegradable cups of local beer.

In themed tents, you can catch a DIY kimchi workshop or a rousing talk on animal welfare. By evening, a live band strikes up and the crowd sways together under neon lights.

Warm, welcoming, and wallet-friendly, this Berlin fest is a testament to how community activism can create one amazing summer celebration.

5. Vegan Street Fair – Los Angeles, USA

Sunshine, Street Food, and SoCal Smiles: Once a humble neighbourhood gathering, LA’s Vegan Street Fair now stretches multiple city blocks with plant-based delights – and it’s still free to enter.

 The scene is a feast for the senses: bright food trucks and tents line the street, the smell of barbecued jackfruit and fresh cilantro filling the warm California air.

You might start with $4 jackfruit tacos, then nibble on flaky empanadas, and chase it with a swirl of dairy-free ice cream – vendors offer small bites so you can taste it all.

DJs spin upbeat tunes while families picnic on curbs and kids bounce between face-painters and balloon artists. Strangers chat in line as if old friends, swapping recommendations for the best buffalo cauliflower.

By dusk, the festival glows under string lights and the party mood kicks up a notch.

Inclusive and overflowing with fun, Vegan Street Fair captures LA’s community spirit on a budget – just bring your appetite and enjoy “a whole lot of fun” in the sun.

6. VegFest Morocco – Fez, Morocco

Plant-Based Traditions in an Ancient Medina: In the winding alleys of Fez’s 1,200-year-old medina, a new tradition is blooming.

VegFest Morocco – North Africa’s first vegan festival – invites both locals and globetrotters to celebrate compassionate living in this historic city.

For just a few dirhams entry (about the price of mint tea), you gain access to a world of flavours and ideas.

Beneath carved Arabic archways, chefs dish up veganized Moroccan classics: think aromatic tagines loaded with spiced vegetables and fluffy couscous, or hearty harira soup with lentils and tomatoes.

Yoga sessions and cooking demos unfold in a centuries-old courtyard, while a Gnawa drum troupe provides rhythmic beats echoing off ancient walls.

Activists from Morocco, Europe, and beyond gather on cushioned benches to swap stories over cups of sweet date. The atmosphere is joyously down-to-earth – children dart between stalls, laughter bounces under colourful bunting, and everyone is made to feel like part of one family.

Affordable, authentic, and alive with hope, this festival shows how cultural heritage and vegan values unite in beautiful harmony.

7. Buenos Aires Vegan Festival – Argentina

Buenos Aires Beats and Green Eats: In the passionate heart of Buenos Aires, even the tango takes a pause for this lively vegan festival.

Held in a public park or cultural centre, the Buenos Aires Vegan Fest (Vegan Fest Argentina) is entrada libre y gratuita – free for all.

From morning yoga by the Río de la Plata to late-night music by local bands, the festival keeps a rhythm as vibrant as the city itself.

Stroll past 150+ vendors serving everything from vegan choripán sandwiches to dairy-free dulce de leche treats, and let the scents of grilling seitan and fresh empanadas draw you in.

Curious families, backpackers, and old Porteño couples all mingle, sampling yerba mate lattes or artisan cashew cheeses. Informative booths and workshops dot the venue, where you might learn about urban gardening or animal rescues between bites.

As the sun sets, a crowd gathers for a cooking show, cheering when a classic Argentine dish gets a plant-based twist. With its festival ethos of inclusivity, education, and flavour, this event turns a bustling city into a close-knit community – all at no cost beyond your bus fare and hunger.

8. Vegan Camp Out – United Kingdom

Four Days of Fieldside Fun (for the Price of a Tent): Join thousands of kindred spirits camping under the summer stars at the world’s largest vegan camping festival. 

Vegan Camp Out transforms an English countryside field into a temporary vegan village buzzing with life. By day, follow the sound of laughter to a cooking workshop or sprawl on the grass for yoga class among new friends.

Food stalls encircle the campground, so you’re never far from the smell of sizzling veggie burgers or the sight of sprinkles on a stack of fluffy vegan pancakes. By night, the big top tent lights up with live music and inspiring talks – one minute you’re dancing to a local indie band, the next you’re moved by an activist’s story.

Renowned speakers like Earthling Ed and other vegan influencers take the stage to educate and entertain.

As you curl up in your tent, there’s a contented hum across the campsite – people chatting around lanterns, sharing the last of the day’s cupcakes, excited for tomorrow.

A ticket for the whole long weekend costs less than a single concert elsewhere, and includes priceless camaraderie.

Vegan Camp Out is the ultimate feel-good getaway where you leave with a full heart, new friends, and memories of a community that genuinely feels like home.

Final Takeaway

From the lantern-lit streets of Phuket to the open fields of England, these festivals prove that plant-powered celebrations can be profoundly rich in experience yet gentle on the wallet.

Each event fosters a welcoming community where travellers can connect over shared meals and values, immersing in local culture without pricey tickets or pretension.

The rapid growth of vegan and vegetarian festivals worldwide is a testament to the rising popularity of plant-based living – and it’s bringing people together in beautiful ways.

Ultimately, these festivals nourish more than just your stomach; they feed your sense of belonging and hope.

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability and kindness, joining a vibrant, budget-friendly festival like these is an inspiring reminder that the best journeys are those that celebrate community and compassion.

https://vegoutmag.com/things-to-do/n-8-budget-friendly-vegan-festivals-middle-class-travelers-cant-stop-talking-about/

What does a vegan future look like? Find out at the ‘world’s biggest’ vegan exhibition

From veganfoodandliving.com 

This free vegan exhibition celebrates 80 years of The Vegan Society with immersive displays, family activities and a glimpse into a vegan future

The Vegan Society is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a major new vegan exhibition in Birmingham, UK. The exhibition, which the society says is the ‘world’s biggest’, lets visitors dive into the history of veganism and explore what the future might hold.

Marking 80 years since the charity’s founding, Veganism: Past, Present and Future is now open at the Library of Birmingham and runs until 23 August. This free, family-friendly exhibition traces the evolution of the vegan movement over the decades, from its wartime roots to today’s growing global presence.

As part of the experience, guests can try on a headset for a free vegan VR experience available every Saturday afternoon. This immersive journey transports visitors into a fully vegan future, with Vegan Society founder Donald Watson as their virtual guide.

The exhibition includes rare items from the society’s archive, including Watson’s original ration book and letters exchanged with George Bernard Shaw. Dr Sam Calvert from The Vegan Society called it a chance to “share our history, current work and future plans with the people of Birmingham and beyond.”

The Future is Vegan: VR experience in Birmingham

One of the most talked-about features of the exhibition is The Future is Vegan campaign, which forms the basis of the vegan VR experience. This new initiative from The Vegan Society invites visitors to explore a future where plant-based living is the norm, not the exception.

The vegan VR experience (available every Saturday from 2 pm to 4.30 pm) is free and open to visitors aged 13 and over. With support from on-site staff, users can immerse themselves in a world where animals are no longer exploited, and issues like deforestation and habitat loss are things of the past.

The campaign aims to spark imagination and action by showing what could be possible if society moves towards a fully vegan future. In the society’s words, it offers “a positive visualisation that helps people envision all of the benefits that would come with a vegan world.”

From environmental impact to ethical choices, The Future Is Vegan encourages us all to consider what comes next and how everyday actions might shape the decades ahead.

Inside the vegan exhibition: what to expect and when to visit

You can find the Veganism: Past, Present and Future exhibition on the third floor of the Library of Birmingham. It’s open from 11 am, Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays and Bank Holidays). Entry is completely free, and no booking is required.

Alongside historical artefacts, the exhibition shines a spotlight on Birmingham’s early links to the vegan movement, honouring local figures like the late poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah, a well-loved Vegan Society Ambassador.

There’s plenty to engage children too, with interactive displays, a play kitchen, a food facts treasure hunt and lift-the-flap panels designed to make learning about plant-based food fun and accessible. That said, the organisers recommend parental guidance for all children attending this vegan exhibition in Birmingham.

Visitors also have the chance to learn more about the Vegan Trademark, which offers a great starting point for vegan newbies hunting out new plant-based products and peace of mind for vegan veterans who want to know their purchases are cruelty-free.

https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/news/vegan-society-exhibition-future-80-years/