Overview
The London Vegan Extravaganza refers to the highly popular plant-based consumer show hosted by VegfestUK at Olympia London (formerly known as the Olympia Conference Centre) in West London. This large-scale festival celebrated the UK’s leading plant-based products, ethical businesses, and sustainable lifestyles while presenting annual awards across a wide range of vegan categories.
Some of the biggest highlights included:
- The VegfestUK Awards, featuring 17 categories recognizing outstanding vegan meats, cheeses, chocolates, cakes, bodycare brands, restaurants, media outlets, and more.
- A vibrant festival atmosphere with hundreds of exhibitors showcasing plant-based food, cruelty-free fashion, ethical homeware, nutritional advice, and live cooking demonstrations.
- Educational talks on sustainability, nutrition, and environmental issues alongside entertainment, comedy, and family-friendly activities.
- Previous festivals welcomed well-known vegan advocates including actress Evanna Lynch and television personality Lucy Watson, helping introduce vegan living to wider audiences.
Whether you’re a long-time vegan or simply curious about plant-based living, the London Vegan Extravaganza has become one of the UK’s most influential lifestyle events.
Why the London Vegan Extravaganza Generated So Much Excitement
Every October, London hosts countless exhibitions and lifestyle events, but few have grown as rapidly as VegfestUK London.
When I first started researching major vegan events in the UK, I expected to find a simple food festival. Instead, I discovered something much bigger a community gathering where food, sustainability, innovation, education, and ethical businesses all come together under one roof.
The 2017 edition promised to continue that momentum with thousands of visitors expected to attend over two packed days at Olympia London. Alongside exciting food vendors and exhibitors, the announcement of the VegfestUK Awards 2017 added another layer of anticipation by recognizing the brands and organizations shaping the future of plant-based living.
For anyone interested in vegan food, cruelty-free products, or sustainable lifestyles, this wasn’t simply another exhibition—it was one of the UK’s premier celebrations of conscious consumerism.
What Is VegfestUK?
More Than Just a Food Festival
One of the biggest misconceptions I noticed while researching VegfestUK is that many people assume it’s simply a vegan food market.
In reality, the event has evolved into a comprehensive lifestyle exhibition covering almost every aspect of modern plant-based living.
Visitors can explore:
- Plant-based food and beverages
- Vegan restaurants
- Cruelty-free skincare
- Sustainable clothing
- Ethical fashion brands
- Vegan homeware
- Environmental charities
- Nutrition advice
- Fitness and wellness
- Educational talks
- Family activities
- Live entertainment
Rather than focusing solely on what people eat, VegfestUK showcases how veganism influences fashion, beauty, health, travel, business, and environmental responsibility.
The Growing Popularity of Veganism in Britain
The timing of the 2017 awards reflected a significant cultural shift across Britain.
Interest in plant-based diets had expanded well beyond dedicated vegan communities. More supermarkets were introducing vegan product ranges, restaurants were expanding plant-based menus, and consumers were paying closer attention to ethical sourcing and sustainability.
In my experience following food and lifestyle trends, major festivals often serve as a snapshot of wider consumer behavior. VegfestUK illustrated how vegan products had moved from niche specialty stores into mainstream retail.
Consumers weren’t only buying vegan burgers—they were also exploring:
- Ethical cosmetics
- Cruelty-free skincare
- Sustainable fashion
- Eco-friendly household products
- Plant-based nutrition
- Vegan baking
- Dairy alternatives
That broader lifestyle approach helped explain why attendance continued to increase year after year.
The VegfestUK Awards 2017
Celebrating Innovation Across the Vegan Industry
One of the festival’s biggest attractions was the annual awards programme.
Rather than relying solely on expert judges, the awards encouraged public participation, allowing consumers to vote for their favourite vegan brands.
This community-driven recognition gave smaller businesses an opportunity to stand alongside established names while highlighting innovation across the industry.
Popular award categories included:
Best Restaurant
Recognizing restaurants delivering exceptional vegan dining experiences.
Best Fast Food
Celebrating businesses making plant-based meals convenient and accessible.
Best Online Resource
Highlighting websites and digital platforms helping people learn more about vegan lifestyles.
Other categories historically expanded into products such as vegan cheeses, chocolates, cakes, bodycare, media, and meat alternatives, reflecting the remarkable diversity within the plant-based market.
Featured Vegan Brands at the Festival
One of the most enjoyable parts of exploring VegfestUK is discovering independent businesses alongside well-known vegan brands.
Several exhibitors attracted considerable attention during the 2017 event.
Happy Maki
Happy Maki became known for its colourful plant-based sushi rolls that demonstrated vegan food could be every bit as creative and visually appealing as traditional Japanese cuisine.
For visitors trying vegan sushi for the first time, it often became one of the festival’s memorable discoveries.
Vegan Sweet Tooth
Dessert lovers were equally well served by Vegan Sweet Tooth, showcasing cakes and baked treats proving that removing dairy and eggs doesn’t mean sacrificing flavour.
From beautifully decorated cupcakes to indulgent celebration cakes, businesses like this helped challenge outdated assumptions about vegan desserts.
Jake’s Vegan Steaks
Another crowd favourite was Jake’s Vegan Steaks, famous for hearty meat-free comfort food.
Its menu demonstrated how plant-based alternatives had evolved far beyond tofu, offering satisfying textures and bold flavours that appealed to vegans, vegetarians, and curious meat eaters alike.
More Than Food: Lifestyle, Learning, and Entertainment
One reason VegfestUK stands apart from many food festivals is the sheer variety of experiences available.
Visitors could enjoy:
- Live cooking demonstrations
- Art exhibitions
- Vegan Comedy Corner
- Cinema screenings
- Teen Zone
- Environmental discussions
- Food Sustainability Summit
- Educational workshops
- Product sampling
- Ethical shopping
In my opinion, this variety is one of the festival’s greatest strengths. Even someone with little prior knowledge of veganism could spend an entire day learning, tasting, and discovering new ideas without feeling overwhelmed.
Why the London Vegan Extravaganza Matters Beyond the Festival
While the delicious food often grabs the headlines, I found that the real impact of the VegfestUK London extends much further.
Events like this create opportunities for independent businesses, established brands, charities, nutrition experts, chefs, and consumers to connect in one place. Instead of reading about vegan products online, visitors can taste them, ask questions directly to manufacturers, and compare different brands before making purchasing decisions.
For many startups, exhibiting at VegfestUK has historically been an opportunity to introduce innovative products to thousands of potential customers in just one weekend. For visitors, it’s a chance to discover products that may not yet be available in local supermarkets.
Sustainability at the Heart of the Festival
More Than a Diet
One thing that stood out during my research is that VegfestUK has always promoted veganism as part of a broader conversation about sustainability and ethical living.
Throughout the event, attendees could learn about:
- Sustainable agriculture
- Climate-conscious food choices
- Animal welfare
- Cruelty-free beauty
- Ethical fashion
- Waste reduction
- Environmental conservation
- Responsible consumer habits
The Environment and Food Sustainability Summit offered discussions about how individual choices can contribute to wider environmental goals. Whether visitors were already vegan or simply interested in reducing their environmental footprint, these sessions provided practical insights rather than judgment.
Live Demonstrations and Educational Talks
One of my favorite aspects of large lifestyle festivals is the opportunity to watch experts in action.
Instead of simply selling products, many exhibitors shared their knowledge through:
Live Cooking Demonstrations
Professional chefs and experienced home cooks prepared simple plant-based recipes using everyday ingredients. These demonstrations helped show that vegan cooking can be accessible, affordable, and flavorful.
Nutrition Talks
Qualified speakers discussed topics such as:
- Plant-based protein
- Balanced vegan diets
- Meal planning
- Vitamins and minerals
- Sports nutrition
- Family-friendly vegan meals
These educational sessions gave visitors confidence to explore plant-based eating without feeling overwhelmed.
Entertainment for Every Age
Unlike many trade shows, the London Vegan Extravaganza was designed to be enjoyable for families as well as serious food enthusiasts.
Popular attractions included:
- Vegan Comedy Corner
- Independent cinema screenings
- Art exhibitions
- Teen Zone
- Live music
- Interactive workshops
This mix of entertainment and education created an atmosphere that felt welcoming rather than purely commercial.
A Personal Reflection
While I didn’t attend the 2017 event in person, I’ve visited several large food and lifestyle exhibitions over the years, and they all share something in common.
No matter how much research you do online, there’s something uniquely valuable about speaking directly with producers, tasting products before buying them, and hearing the stories behind independent businesses.
One memorable experience at a similar food exhibition involved sampling a dairy-free cheese that I honestly expected to dislike. Instead, it completely changed my perception of plant-based alternatives. Moments like these remind me why festivals such as VegfestUK continue to attract both committed vegans and curious newcomers.
Tips for First-Time Visitors
If you’re planning to attend a vegan festival or similar lifestyle event, here are a few practical tips:
Arrive Early
Popular demonstrations and talks often fill up quickly, and arriving early gives you more time to explore exhibitors before peak crowds.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Large exhibition venues such as Olympia London involve plenty of walking, so comfortable footwear makes a big difference.
Bring a Reusable Bag
Many exhibitors offer samples, brochures, and products. A reusable shopping bag is both practical and environmentally friendly.
Talk to Exhibitors
Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Whether you’re curious about ingredients, sustainability practices, or cooking tips, exhibitors are usually happy to share their expertise.
Attend a Workshop
Even if you’re only casually interested in veganism, cooking demonstrations and educational talks can introduce useful ideas that extend beyond plant-based eating.
The Lasting Legacy of VegfestUK
The influence of VegfestUK extends beyond its annual events.
Over the years, festivals like this have helped normalize plant-based eating, encouraged retailers to expand vegan product ranges, and provided a platform for innovative businesses to reach wider audiences.
As consumer interest in sustainability continues to grow, events celebrating ethical lifestyles remain highly relevant. They not only showcase products but also foster conversations about health, the environment, and responsible consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the London Vegan Extravaganza?
The London Vegan Extravaganza is the popular consumer festival hosted by VegfestUK, bringing together plant-based food, ethical products, educational talks, entertainment, and the annual VegfestUK Awards at Olympia London.
What are the VegfestUK Awards?
The VegfestUK Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the vegan industry across multiple categories, including restaurants, food products, bodycare, media, and online resources. Public voting has traditionally played an important role in selecting winners.
Who should attend the festival?
The festival welcomes everyone—from long-time vegans and vegetarians to flexitarians, families, food enthusiasts, and anyone curious about sustainable living or plant-based products.
What activities can visitors expect?
Visitors can enjoy cooking demonstrations, nutritional seminars, comedy shows, cinema screenings, art exhibitions, ethical shopping, family activities, sustainability discussions, and tastings from a wide range of exhibitors.
Why has VegfestUK become so popular?
Its popularity comes from combining food, education, entertainment, sustainability, and community in one event. Rather than focusing solely on vegan cuisine, it offers a broader lifestyle experience that appeals to diverse audiences.
Conclusion
The London Vegan Extravaganza Precedes Festival with 2017 Awards Nominations announcement captured more than excitement about another weekend event it reflected the growing influence of plant-based living across the UK.
From the VegfestUK Awards celebrating innovation to exhibitors showcasing creative foods, cruelty-free beauty, ethical fashion, and sustainable products, the festival demonstrated how veganism had evolved into a dynamic lifestyle movement. Add educational talks, family-friendly entertainment, and opportunities to meet passionate creators, and it’s easy to understand why thousands of visitors looked forward to the event each year.
Whether you’re an experienced vegan, considering eating more plant-based meals, or simply interested in discovering innovative businesses, festivals like VegfestUK offer an engaging way to learn, taste, and connect with a thriving community. They remind us that conscious living isn’t just about what’s on our plates it’s also about the choices we make every day and the positive impact those choices can have on people, animals, and the planet.
