Victoria is about to get its first‑ever VegFest.
On Saturday, Aug. 16, Ship Point will host a one‑day celebration of plant‑based living – complete with local eats, live music and programming for all ages.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature more than 55 vendors, speakers and performers sharing vegan food, goods and ideas with the community.
Organized by Positively Vegan, VegFest Victoria is the newest addition to the group’s summer lineup, which already includes festivals in Nanaimo and Kelowna.
Event manager Stacy Neilson said the Victoria edition was sparked by ongoing community enthusiasm in the region and her personal return to the city. As chair of the board and co‑founder of Positively Vegan, she called the capital “a hub for progressive, wellness‑oriented people.”
"Culturally, we’re seeing growing awareness of the benefits of plant-based living – from climate to health to ethics," Neilsen said. "VegFest Victoria is our way of bringing all of that energy together."
While VegFest promotes plant‑based lifestyle choices, Neilson stressed it’s not just for committed vegans. Talks will focus on nutrition, climate action and animal welfare – but organizers are prioritizing friendliness over confrontation.
“We’re not just speaking to people already in the movement,” she explained. “We want everyone to feel welcome.”
That spirit carries through to the vendor lineup, which aims to highlight how varied and appealing plant‑based food can be. Neilson added that several food trucks from past festivals introduced vegan offerings following strong audience feedback.
Behind the launch of VegFest Victoria is a recent collaboration between Positively Vegan and the Kelowna organizing team. Combined, the partnership has improved resource‑sharing and unlocked new funding opportunities.
Neilson admitted local logistics did bring challenges – citing a recent municipal fire bylaw that forced one vendor to tweak their cooling method – but noted that community engagement has been overwhelmingly positive.
Admission is by donation, with proceeds earmarked for future events. Organizers are expecting more than 7,000 attendees when VegFest Victoria rolls around.
