“The Great Vegan Gathering” Brings New Vegan Festival to London

A new vegan festival called The Great Vegan Gathering is to debut in north London in 2026, making August the festival month in England

The Great Vegan Gathering poster

Los Angeles, CA, June 19, 2026 — A new vegan festival is set to debut in North London during the August bank holiday weekend of 2026, promising five days of music, activism, wellness, education, and community. The Great Vegan Gathering (GVG), taking place from August 27 to 31 at Gilwell Park, is being organized by a collective of vegan activists, artists, and musicians who say the event is rooted in compassion, kindness, and support for both animals and people. Unlike many commercial festivals, GVG is volunteer-run, with organizers pledging that all proceeds will go directly to vegan animal sanctuaries. The event aims to create a welcoming space where attendees can celebrate vegan culture while helping independent vegan businesses and grassroots organizations flourish. The Great Vegan Gathering will feature a diverse and very impressive program with more than 30 speakers and 50 performers spread through 12 different areas for five days.

A Festival Built on Community and Compassion

Comedy line-up for The Great Vegan Gathering

The Great Vegan Gathering describes itself as a fully vegan and ethical event where every vendor, stallholder, and activity aligns with vegan values. Organizers say no animals will be harmed on the land during the festival, and special efforts are being made to support independent businesses through a sliding-scale fee structure. Vegan charities and animal sanctuaries will be able to participate free of charge.

Set within the 108-acre woodland surroundings of Gilwell Park in North London (the headquarters and principal camp site of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom), the gathering is designed to offer a blend of education, entertainment, and relaxation. Festival-goers will find live music, comedy performances, talks, discussions, wellness activities, arts and crafts, and opportunities to connect with others in a natural setting. Camping is included with every ticket, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the experience throughout the long holiday weekend.

The festival’s main arena will host a packed schedule of performances and discussions. The music lineup includes acts such as 3 Daft Monkeys, Mobius Loop, Dr Jaxon’s Elixir of Life, The Jive Aces, Millie Manders and the Shutup, Vegan Queen V, HAWXX, Sweetgoose, and many others. Poetry performances are also planned, alongside comedy appearances by Dawn Chorus, Ishi Khan, Chloe Jet, Kiera-Lorelle, and Malli Malipas.

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Activism, Education, and Wellbeing Take Center Stage

Gilwell Park HQ for Scouts Association photo Jordi Casamitjana

While entertainment is a major component of the festival, activism and education are equally central to its mission. A dedicated activism camp area will feature workshops led by experienced campaigners from the Animal Freedom Network, covering topics ranging from advocacy strategies and legal rights to running effective campaigns for animals.

The speaker program includes discussions on food and nutrition, mental health, the philosophy of veganism, burnout, artificial intelligence, healthcare access, fitness, and political activism. Scheduled speakers include Ronnie Lee, founder of the Animal Liberation Front; Wayne Hsiung, the American attorney recently known for his role in campaigns that led to the release of hundreds of beagles from vivisection in the United States; Rose Patterson of Animal Rising; legendary animal rights activists such as Louise Ryan and Mel Broughton; and vegan veterinarians such as Dr. Andrew Knight and Dr. Alice Brough.

Attendees seeking a more restorative experience will find an extensive wellbeing area offering yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, sound baths, meditation, running groups, dance sessions, singing workshops, and other activities. Woodland experiences such as forest bathing, medicinal foraging, willow weaving, and micro-green growing workshops aim to deepen participants’ connection with nature. Families have not been forgotten, with dedicated children’s areas, outdoor games, circus skills, and treasure hunts planned throughout the weekend.

Tickets and accommodation options for The Great Vegan Gathering are available here.

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August 2026 Marks a Big Month for UK Vegan Festivals

Aerial view of Vegan Camp Out 2023

The launch of The Great Vegan Gathering comes during what is shaping up to be a remarkable month for vegan events across the United Kingdom. Earlier in August, another major festival, Vegan Camp Out, will celebrate its historic tenth anniversary, highlighting the growing strength and diversity of the vegan movement nationwide.

Vegan Camp Out will take place from August 14 to 17, 2026, at Walesby Forest in Nottinghamshire. What began as a small grassroots gathering in 2016 has evolved into what organizers describe as the world’s largest and most international vegan camping festival, attracting visitors from more than 40 countries. The anniversary edition will feature major speakers, musicians, comedians, wellness activities, activism programming, and extensive plant-based food offerings.

UNCHAINEDTV plans to attend Vegan Camp Out 2026 to report on the event and its impact on the global vegan movement. Together, Vegan Camp Out and the newly launched The Great Vegan Gathering demonstrate how vegan festivals are expanding beyond food and entertainment to become hubs for activism, education, community building, and support for animal sanctuaries. As thousands of people prepare to gather across England this August, the month could become one of the most significant periods for vegan culture and animal advocacy in the UK’s recent history.

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