Vegan guide to festivals
Written by Nikola Borzova
As the vibrant summer begins, so does the festival season. Denmark offers a wide selection of festivals, ensuring that you will find your perfect match. Whether you like popular music, jazz, rock, or even a food festival, Denmark has it all. From Roskilde festival to many food festivals, there are plenty of options.
Whether this is your first festival, or you may be a festival enthusiast, being a vegan around different varieties of foods, drinks and activities can be a challenge. Luckily, we prepared a detailed guide focusing on different tips about veganism and a summer packed with crazy fun, great music and amazing vegan alternatives.
Plan ahead
Preparation is key to making the most of your festival experience. Here are a few tips to ensure you don't miss out on vegan options:
Research the festival's food vendors
Check out the festival's website or social media platforms for information on participating food vendors. Look for stalls that explicitly mention vegan options or plant-based alternatives.
Bring your own snacks
To ensure that you will always have something to eat, pack some vegan snacks to keep you fueled throughout the festival. Energy bars, fruit, nut mix, and granola are all convenient options to have on hand, such as the nut bars from RAWBITE or the protein bars from Barebells.
2. Explore the festival's food options
Veggie-hotdogs and plant based spaghetti / Northside Festival 2023
Danish festivals boast an impressive variety of food stalls, offering diverse culinary experiences. Here are some vegan-friendly dishes commonly found at Danish festivals:
Sandwiches: Seek out stalls serving open-faced sandwiches. Opt for plant-based toppings like marinated tofu, hummus, avocado, pickled vegetables, and herbs.
Falafel: You'll often find stalls dishing up delectable falafel wraps filled with fresh vegetables and delicious vegan alternatives.
Vegan Ice Cream: Cool off with dairy-free ice cream made from coconut, almond, or soy milk. Look for stalls specifically offering vegan options or ask for plant-based alternatives, such as pure sorbets.
Vegan pizza: Pizza dough is usually vegan (but make sure you ask before purchasing one). Some food stalls at festivals have a vegan option, and if anything, you can always opt for a pizza without cheese and some delicious toppings, such as vegetables or mushrooms.
Refreshing Drinks: Quench your thirst with freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, or even kombucha, all of which are frequently available at most festivals.
3. Connect with Local Vegan Communities
Danish festivals often attract like-minded individuals passionate about veganism and sustainability. Take this opportunity to connect with local vegan communities, as they can provide valuable insights on the festival's vegan scene.
Engage with fellow festival-goers, participate in vegan-themed workshops, and share recommendations for vegan-friendly food vendors or hidden gems at the festival.
Many of us from Dyrenes Alliance are going to different festivals, such as NorhSide, Roskilde and Samsø festival, where you can always reach out to us.
4. Vegan Sunscreens
Protecting your skin from the Danish sun is essential during the festival. Look for vegan sunscreens that are free from animal-derived ingredients and have not been tested on animals. Here are a few vegan sunscreen options to consider:
Mineral-based sunscreens: Look for sunscreens that use mineral filters like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These provide effective protection without harming animals or the environment.
Check labels: Ensure that the sunscreen is labeled as vegan or cruelty-free. Look for certifications from organizations such as Leaping Bunny or PETA.
Opt for eco-friendly packaging: Consider sunscreens packaged in eco-friendly materials, such as recycled plastic or biodegradable containers, to minimize your environmental impact.
A little tip: If you don't want to apply your sunscreen the entire day, you can also find a great alternative sunscreen in spray, which is handy and will protect you from getting sunburned.
Ps. Don't forget to put sunscreen on your ears, the back of your neck and even your hairline, to make sure you won't get burned from dancing and having fun for a few days in a row.
We hope that you found this article helpful, don't forget to stay hydrated, and enjoy your days filled with nonstop dancing, concerts and great activities.
Curious about what it's like to join Dyrenes Alliance at a festival? Here you can read about our visit to Folkemødet and Roskilde Festival i 2023.
