The Bristol Vegan Fayre has officially announced its return for 2026, securing a spot on the calendar for the summer solstice weekend. The event is scheduled to take place on June 20th at Document, bringing a major plant-based celebration to the heart of Bristol.
Organisers are preparing for a significant turnout, with up to 2,000 attendees expected to descend on the venue. The festival will feature up to 100 independent traders, ensuring a bustling marketplace for visitors. Alongside the retail opportunities, the event will host two rooms dedicated to talks, a DJ booth, and an outdoor stage that will showcase a mix of live music and comedy.
This year’s timing is particularly symbolic for the event organisers. The Bristol Vegan Fayre has a long-standing tradition of hosting festivals in the city, with a history of live music and entertainment stretching back 23 years. The event has called Document home since 2023, but the 2026 edition marks the first time it will coincide with the summer solstice.
Tim Barford, the event organiser, highlighted the personal and historical significance of the date. “My first festival in 1981 aged 18 was at Stonehenge on the solstice, and I fell in love with festivals then,” Barford explained. “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.”
With 2026 being a fallow year for Glastonbury Festival, Barford noted that this has influenced the programming for the Bristol event. “With no Glastonbury in 2026, there’s an emphasis on entertainment, music and comedy at our event,” he added, aiming to fill the gap for festival-goers in the South West.
The trader lineup promises to showcase some of the finest artisan plant-based food producers in the region. Beyond food, the fayre will host a variety of charities and campaigns, primarily focusing on environmental issues, animal rights, and welfare. Visitors can also expect a wide collection of vegan bodycare, clothing, and accessories, alongside information resources regarding plant-based lifestyles.
Organisers have confirmed that the literary lineup for 2026 will include renowned vegan authors. John King, best known as the author of The Football Factory, will be in attendance. He will be featuring his more recent work concerning animal laboratories, Peekaboo Bosh. The event also has significant plans for its comedy schedule, with further acts to be revealed closer to the date.
Supporting independent businesses remains a core pillar of the festival’s ethos. “Support for the Independents is still really important in 2026 with a lot of small businesses, sole traders, animal sanctuaries, small charities and community interest companies still faced with survival challenges, although for some that is beginning to ease a little,” said the organisers.
They noted a “real confidence factor” returning among vegan traders, many of whom have adapted to recent economic challenges to continue producing high-quality products. The fayre aims to honour the resilience shown by this sector, providing a platform for the evolved community to gather.
The Bristol Vegan Fayre will be open to the public from 10am to 6pm on June 20th, 2026. The event takes place at Document, located at 30 Pennywell Rd, St Jude’s, Bristol, BS5 0TH.
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