RI VegFest Returns to Providence for a Sixth Year of Plant-Based Flavor and Fun

Providence has no shortage of food-forward events, but few have grown as quickly or as intentionally as RI VegFest. This winter, the fully vegan festival returns to the WaterFire Arts Center for its sixth year, taking over the space on February 21 and 22.

What began in 2020 as a gathering for Southern New England’s plant-based community has evolved into a destination event, drawing vendors and attendees from across the country and beyond. The 2026 festival will feature more than 90 vegan and vegan-friendly food and beverage producers, restaurants, bakeries, food trucks, artists, and makers. Vendors will travel from 13 states, with some making the trek from as far as California, Florida, Colorado, and Indiana.

“It has been incredible to watch this community grow and evolve since our first event in February of 2020,” says founder Robin Dionne. “This event started as a way to bring Southern New England plant-based food lovers together, and six years later, it has really become a special destination event.”

That growth shows up in the numbers. In 2025, RI VegFest welcomed attendees from 29 states and 11 countries, a clear sign that interest in plant-based eating continues to gain momentum. Dionne sees Providence as the perfect backdrop. “Providence has always been considered a ‘foodie’ destination, and as a vegan for over 25 years, I cannot tell you how much it means to see plant-based dining become a larger contributor to Providence’s acclaimed food scene,” she says.

RI VegFest has also doubled down on sustainability. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management awarded the event a Green Events certification, recognizing its commitment to being fully compostable. In 2026, the festival will partner with local compost processor Epic Renewal to divert waste from landfills, with all vendors using compostable service ware.

“Large-scale food events like ours can generate a disheartening amount of waste,” Dionne says. “Our composting efforts have reduced our landfill waste by over 95%, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.” For tickets, vendor details, and updates, visit rivegfest.com.