London Vegan Events

Hackney Downs is HUGE

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This is a post to say thank you to all the traders and attendees who made this past Saturday at Hackney Downs Vegan Market such a huge success.

The winter months have been tough work for our traders who have been down there week after week. There was only one week where the ice was too treacherous to go ahead.

Our loyal customers have been wonderful and crucial when it comes to keeping the market vibrant. Even on some of the coldest days, people came from all over the city and even further afield to have fun and support independent business.

This past weekend was like a huge celebration with sunshine and warm, dry weather. Our traders who have been shivering through the cold finally got to enjoy a bright day and some had their busiest trading day ever.

Hackney Downs Vegan Market is more than just somewhere to get good food.

It is a collaborative approach to community and business, taking into consideration how we all need to be more inclusive and aware of diverse needs. Our market does the following:

  • The pitch fees we pay Hackney Downs Studios help keep their vibrant art and creation spaces affordable for resident artists.
  • Our independent traders have started to find a way to turn their passion into a living, with some using our market as a springboard to go onto bigger and better things such as opening their own shops.
  • The market helps keep money in the local community by giving trading space to local people.
  • We are actively challenging oppression by making spaces available for women traders, non-white traders, traders from LGBTQ+ communities, and disabled traders.

When you attend this market, you are making a difference.

I really can’t thank you all enough for making this ‘vegan-run event for vegans’ such a rewarding community space. Our message is to stop animal suffering and we try to do it while being kind to humans.

We have also organised Queer Vegan Yoga to take place on the first Saturday of the month inside The Well Garden, the onsite yoga studio. This is body positive yoga led by a queer vegan teacher. We have created this for people who feel locked out of yoga classes for any number of reasons. Click here to see the dates and book.

We have some other exciting developments coming up for the market, so stay tuned. RSVPing to the Hackney Downs Vegan Market Facebook event page is a great way to see news or follow me on my FGV Instagram account.

Extra note: Hackney Downs Vegan Market will not be taking place on Saturday July 14, 2018 due to the site being used for our 6th annual London Vegan Beer Fest. This is a ticketed event so if you would love to be a part of our big party, book early bird tickets online now.

Now, let’s enjoy some photos from last weekend!

Another vegan potluck event

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A few weeks ago, a lot of people enjoyed a vegan potluck event in London.

Anna and Amy took over Jaz & Jul’s Chocolate House near Angel for a collaborative food event. A bunch of people shared homemade food and had such a wonderful time, they are doing it all again on May 5, 2018.

This Saturday afternoon food club will run from 4pm until 7pm.

You need to book tickets in order to participate, so click here to book now.

You can also RSVP via the Facebook event.

Share food. Make friends. Get involved!

The return of Queer Vegan Yoga

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Queer Vegan Yoga enjoyed a fabulous debut a few weeks ago at The Well Garden located at Hackney Downs Studios, the home of Hackney Downs Vegan Market.

Tatum lead an incredible yoga class that was inclusive, friendly, and welcoming to all.

And now it is back!

You can now book your spot for this affordable and progressive yoga class for dates in May, June, July and August 2018.

The dates and times for the next four months are:

This class is for anyone who feels locked out of yoga classes. It is inclusive. It is for members of LGBT+ communities. It is body positive. We have a queer, vegan teacher.

Enjoy exploring yoga AND the best vegan food market on the same day!

Event for people caring for vegan children

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The fab team behind Made in Hackney have organised a very special information evening for people caring for children within a vegan framework.

Trying to bring up a child as a vegan means clashes with family, friends and even strangers can occur.

“Are you sure they are getting enough nutrition?”, “What about calcium?”, “You shouldn’t force your beliefs on your kids.” And so it goes on…

This event is a supportive space to share stories, ask questions, learn from others and get expert advice from a nutritionist about what we need to consider when raising our children vegan.

Vegan families and bringing up vegan children is taking place at 10 Cable Street in central London on Wednesday April 25, 2018.

What has the night got in store?

  • 19:00 Introduction to the evening.
  • 19:05 Talk by Sarah Oboh of NutriLife covering essential nutrition for children
  • 19:25 Demonstration by Juddian Oboh of NutriLife on simple nutritious snacks that can be made to boost your child’s health.
  • 19:45 – 21:15 Panel discussion with Sarah Bentley, NutriLife and Deepa Devlukia of GirlBoyFoodBaby on family issues, nurseries, parties, social things and educate kids about changes
  • 21:15-21:30 Networking

All profits from this event will be donated to Made in Hackney.

Click here to book your ticket.

Yorkshire brewery headed to London

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London Vegan Beer Fest is coming back for a sixth year in a row and we have lots of lovely surprises planned for Saturday July 14, 2018.

All the news will roll out over the next few months, but the first big announcement is all about Brass Castle.

Superstar vegan brewery Brass Castle of Yorkshire is returning for a second year in a row to run a huge, indoor beer hall at the London event.

They will be once again taking over the Hackney Showroom with a multi-tap bar while we have some exclusive food traders in the back alley.

Add to this our outdoor beer and street food market and London Vegan Beer fest is going to be a HUGE day out.

Early bird tickets are already on sale and are almost 20% gone. Buy here.

Follow Brass Castle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Pop up supper club event in London

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Here is some news you can eat.

A handful of our regular traders from Hackney Downs Vegan Market have joined forces to bring you a gorgeous-sounding pop up food event.

You will want to book tickets for this right now.

This vegan cheese dining event sounds too good to be true.

Get along to The Grand Howl cafe in E9 on April 19, 2018 to explore four artisan vegan cheese brands, talk with the makers, and enjoy a full French cuisine dinner followed by French pâtisserie.

The night will commence with appetisers based on the I AM NUT OK cashew spreads, followed by a plate of Mushroom Bourguignon and Potato Dauphinois using the stunning cheeses of Black Arts Vegan and Nutkin.

Diners will then be served a platter highlighting the stunning cheeses of Kinda Co. before the dinner is finished off with pâtisserie items by The Sunny Spoon.

Throughout the night you will be able to chat with the makers and hear all about their brands, products and personal journeys.

Of course their cheeses will be available for purchase as well.

Click here to book your spot now.

Superstar vegan brand back as sponsors

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This is the third year in a row I get to make this announcement and I am just as delighted as I was the first time.

Superstar vegan food brand Follow Your Heart is back as proud sponsor of UK Vegan Beer Fest 2018.

The cost of running a series of community-focussed events around the country while keeping all tickets under £10 (early bird tickets under £5 for most dates) can be daunting, but the financial support we receive from Follow Your Heart makes it possible.

Vegan Beer Fest UK events are focussed on creating inclusive spaces where people can celebrate their veganism (or vegan curiosity) with like minded party goers. Events this year include the 6th annual London Vegan Beer Fest, as well as outings in Sheffield, Glasgow and Coventry.

Every single person attending one of our beer events will be handed a durable pint cup to use on the day. The cups are decorated with the event details as well as the Follow Your Heart logo. Once the beer fest is over, attendees can take their cups home to use again and again.

Follow Your Heart makes these showcases of vegan beer and food providers possible and I am extremely grateful of their continued support of our community.

You can see the entire range of Follow Your Heart sauces, cheeses, mayo, dressings, and more online here.

You can follow the brand on Instagram, too!

Order your early bird tickets for UK Vegan Beer Fest now!

Unwaxed fruit in London

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Here is a super short post to let you know that you can now buy unwaxed fruit on a regular basis at Hackney Downs Vegan Market.

Fresh Fruit Box is one of our newest traders and today they launched their colourful unwaxed fruit and vegetable stall at our weekly market in Hackney.

As you might know, a lot of supermarket bought fruit in the Uk is waxed with animal derived ingredients.

Fresh Fruit Box go to a lot of trouble to source unwaxed fruit from Spanish farms, meaning everything they sell is devoid of any animal products.

Visit Hackney Downs Vegan Market next week (March 31) to check out the gorgeous fresh produce selection for yourself and perhaps consider making this your regular shopping spot for fresh fruit and vegetables.

You can follow Fresh Fruit Box on Instagram.

Vegan wings eating competition

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Have you ever felt you would excel at competitive eating but there just haven’t been enough vegan opportunities?

Well, say hello to Biff’s Jack Shack’s 1st Annual Vegan Wings Eating Competition.

National Wing Day is on Thursday 22nd March and not only will Biff’s be offering 50% off all wingz, they’ll be putting on a wingz party at Haunt London featuring the UK’s first vegan wings eating comp.

Actually, unless someone can prove otherwise I’m confident in declaring this the world’s first vegan wings eating competition.

Four challengers will get to eat their way through a bucket of ten of their crispy fried jackfruit wingz, slathered in special hot chipotle sauce.

The champion will get Jack Shack tees and swag for them and their crew, food for two at the Haunt, the coveted GOLDEN BUCKET, and a place in history.

If you want to take the challenge, you must:

👉 1. Follow Biff’s Jack Shack on Instagram
👉 2. Tag two wing-people that you’d bring down with you on the night in this post
👉 3. Tell the wing makers what makes you the ultimate wing fiend in a comment below the Instagram post

If the eating challenge isn’t for you, you should still get along to enjoy cheap wings and support independent vegan business.

Gorgeous pop up event for London

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Do you know Greedy Khao?

If you do, you will understand that this pop up event is not to be missed.

If you are unfamiliar, this March 31 food event is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted.

‘A Plant-Powered Journey through Thailand’ will take diners on a culinary tour from the Southern provinces, famous for seafood and spiciness, through the melting pot of Bangkok, and up to the fresh, zesty North East.

Faai of Greedy Khao says, “North Eastern (Isaan) Thai food has seen increased popularity in recent years, so we want to shed the spotlight on some of Thailand’s other regions, while proving that vegan Thai food can be just as bold, complex, and moreish as its meaty alternative”.

They have the tickets up on Eventbrite (here) so get buying. Don’t miss out!