BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – The East Bay’s largest celebration of plant-based food is returning to downtown Berkeley this September with vegan tacos, Caribbean dishes, cookies, live music, cultural performances and even emotional support alpacas.
The sixth annual Bizerkeley Food Festival will take place Sunday, September 6, from noon to 6 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park.
Organizers expect more than 70 food, beverage, retail and wellness vendors to participate in the all-ages festival. This year’s theme is “Healthy People, Healthy Communities.”
“Every year we find new ways to show people just how fun, delicious and approachable plant-based living can be, whether they’re vegan or simply love great food,” festival founder Erika Hazel said in a statement.
Hazel, better known as The Bizerkeley Vegan, founded the festival in 2021 after working with and visiting vegan festivals around the country. Sports Basement Berkeley hosted its first three years before the growing event moved into the city’s Civic Center Park.
Vegan Food From Across California
Four California businesses will headline this year’s food lineup: Los Angeles-based Cena Vegan and El Compa Vegano, Oakland’s Fungi Foods and San Diego’s Maya’s Cookies.
They will be joined by dozens of vendors serving an unusually broad assortment of plant-based cuisines. Announced participants include Cocobreeze Caribbean Restaurant, Cinnaholic Berkeley, Donna’s Tamales, Jollof Kitchen, Kabobs2go, Taste of the Levant, That Hausa Vegan, Vibe Vegan, Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade and Yo Soy Ceviche.
Festivalgoers can expect everything from savory street food and globally inspired dishes to cookies, frozen desserts, lemonade and other drinks. Food will generally be purchased directly from vendors, although organizers are also advertising complimentary samples.
The full vendor lineup will continue to be updated as the festival approaches.
Beyond Just Food
This year’s event is expanding its health, wellness and family programming.
A dedicated wellness zone will feature practitioners and organizations including Royal Touch Wellness, Sun Roots Collective, Lifelong Medical Care, Heirloom Wellness Studio, Dailey Massage Co. and Carbon Health Berkeley.
Retail and community vendors will offer art, fashion, photography, personal-care products and other goods. Live entertainment is scheduled throughout the afternoon, including hip-hop, indie and rock performers, DJs and cultural dance groups.
Children and families can also expect games, animal encounters and a festival-wide scavenger hunt. Prizes will include donations from AxeVentures Berkeley, Maya’s Cookies, Kalos Health and other participating businesses.
Animal welfare organizations will have a larger presence this year. Expected participants include Herd & Flock Animal Sanctuary, Little Hill Sanctuary and Rancho Compasion, the sanctuary founded by vegan food entrepreneur Miyoko Schinner.
Festival proceeds will benefit California Pit Bull Rescue, a Berkeley-based nonprofit that rescues and finds homes for pit bull-type dogs. Organizers say the festival has donated more than $13,000 to animal nonprofits during its first five years.
Early Entry and a VIP Alpaca Encounter
General admission begins at noon, but Express and VIP ticket holders will be admitted at 11 a.m., giving them an hour to visit vendors before the main gates open.
The VIP package includes a shaded lounge of more than 2,000 square feet, reserved tables and seating, exclusive restrooms, chef-led demonstrations and tastings, and a Yelp tote filled with samples and coupons from vegan-friendly businesses.
VIP guests will also receive limited-time access to emotional support alpacas from Alpaca Academy.
The current ticket listing shows base advance prices of $6 for general admission, $12 for Express admission and $35 for VIP admission, before processing fees. Organizers say VIP admission will cost $45 on the day of the festival.
Children 18 and younger can attend free. Organizers are also offering complimentary admission to EBT cardholders and ADA placard holders.
What to Know Before You Go
The Bizerkeley Food Festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, September 6, at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, 2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Berkeley.
The grounds are fully ADA accessible, and organizers plan to provide complimentary drinking water and shaded seating. Guests may bring reusable water bottles, food containers, blankets, chairs, strollers and umbrellas.
Only service animals are permitted inside the festival.
Street parking and paid garages are available nearby, but organizers recommend taking public transportation. The park is approximately one block from the Downtown Berkeley BART station.
Additional information and festival updates are available on the Bizerkeley Food Festival website.
