VeganFest Malta: how a festival is transforming the local food culture
The range of food and sustainable products on offer challenged long-held assumptions on vegan eating
VeganFest Malta 2026, held on May 16 and 17, brought together thousands of Maltese and international visitors at Ta’ Qali National Park.
The festival demonstrated the island’s growing commitment to plant-based living and environmental responsibility, with unprecedented community engagement and an interesting discovery: many non-vegans who attended left as passionate advocates for change after experiencing plant-based cuisine first-hand, the organisers said.
This year’s marketplace brought together more than 70 local and international vendors, offering a range of food and sustainable products that challenged long-held assumptions about vegan eating.
Attendees − many of whom arrived as curious sceptics − enjoyed innovative plant-based takes on Maltese classics such as vegan pastizzi and ftira alongside gourmet burgers, hotdogs and international flavours from Chinese, Asian, Thai and Caribbean cuisines.
Visitors at one of the many food stalls on site.The organisers said that visitors were most impressed by the fact that plant-based alternatives could be indistinguishable from their traditional counterparts. Many attendees couldn’t tell that the plant-based burger they tried wasn’t meat − it looked like meat, felt like meat and tasted like meat. The same could be said for tastings of plant-based chicken nuggets, sausages and duck.
The festival also featured artisanal jams, chutneys, freshly baked bread including gluten-free options, crepes, ice-cream and premium chocolate. Local and imported wines, craft beers and specialty sodas complemented the culinary offerings, while a dedicated pet food section showcased plant-based nutrition for the furry companions.
Pizza was one of the many food options available.Beyond food, the eco market became a hub for conscious consumers, featuring locally-made jewellery, natural beauty products, home decor, thrifting stalls, handmade soaps, candles and household goods − all aligned with sustainable values.
The organisers added that for many visitors, the festival opened their eyes to a reality often overlooked: the hidden cost of conventional food choices.
Few people fully grasp the extent of animal suffering and environmental degradation embedded in everyday meals − the resources consumed, the ecosystems damaged, and the lives affected, they said. But the festival showed that going for plant-based alternatives eliminates these harms without compromising taste, flavour or consistency.
Pets had their own dedicated pet food section featuring plant-based nutrition.
.
The VeganFest team said this resonated powerfully with attendees who discovered that compassionate eating is not about sacrifice; it’s about making better choices that align with their values while enjoying delicious food.
The festival extended well beyond dining, with the wellness area offering yoga, mindfulness sessions, acro-yoga, self-defence workshops and talks on nutrition, health and well-being.
The children’s area, coordinated by Cheer Amigos, was a hub of creativity and fun, featuring sustainable games, a dedicated market, plant-based milk tastings by Natrue, and a beach clean-up upcycling art workshop that taught young attendees environmental responsibility.
Visitors enjoying the event.Fort Fitness delivered an energetic sports and fitness area featuring competitions and prizes.
The chillout zone featured performances from local and international musicians, including a Saturday night after-hours set by Carlitos.
The festival was sponsored by Malta National Park, Visit Malta, APS Bank plc, Daves, Transport Malta, Fort Fitness, Natrue, Beyond Meat, Meyn and Project Green.