August 25, 2025
Twin Cities Veg Fest is back for its 13th year, and it’s bigger and better than ever! On September 21, 2025, thousands will gather at Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul to celebrate plant-based living with amazing vegan food, inspiring speakers, family fun, and live entertainment. As usual, the festival will be from 10 am – 4pm.
While the wonderful exhibitors, cooking demos, and speakers always draw a crowd, some of the most fun parts of the festival happen on the Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) Music and Activities Stage and in the Outdoor Activities Area. These interactive events add energy, movement, and creativity to your festival day. Whether you’re here to shop, munch, or explore, be sure to leave time to dance, drum, stretch, and enjoy some live music!
Participatory Drum Circle With Empowered Percussion
Stage: Outdoor Activities Area
Time: 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Start your festival morning with rhythm and connection at a participatory drum circle led by Aaron Tafoya of Empowered Percussion. No experience is needed — just bring your energy and curiosity. Great for all ages!
This immersive session blends high-energy rhythms with interactive activities that awaken creativity, movement, and joy. Aaron, a skilled percussionist and community builder, draws on years of experience in cajon drum innovation, performance, and group facilitation. Through guided rhythms, call-and-response patterns, and spontaneous improvisation, participants will explore percussion as a tool for unity and self-expression.
The session also includes sound-based mindfulness, rhythm games, and collaborative beat-making. Whether you’re a seasoned drummer or a complete beginner, you’ll leave feeling energized, connected, and inspired.
Check them out: website, Instagram, Facebook
Zumba with Karen Cabrera Barba
Stage: CAA Music and Activities Stage
Time: 10:30–11:15 a.m.
Get your body moving with Zumba led by Karen Cabrera Barba, a high-energy instructor known for making fitness feel like a dance party. With her lively and welcoming approach, Karen creates a fun, upbeat environment where everyone feels included.
Karen describes her teaching style:
“Coming from a Latino culture, I’d say I have a very energetic and fun approach to teaching! I think there is nothing better in the world than for exercise to be fun and enjoyable to the point it doesn’t even feel like you are really exercising! It brings me so much joy to see the positive, welcoming, and super fun environment that we create as a team.”
This session is perfect for anyone looking to get their blood pumping before enjoying all the delicious vegan food the festival has to offer.
Check out her Instagram
Yoga with Kim Kay
Stage: Outdoor Activities Area
Time: 2:00–2:45 p.m.
Need a mindfulness break during the festival? Join Kim Kay, a 300-hour registered yoga teacher (300RYT) with over a decade of experience, for a rejuvenating yoga session.Kim’s classes are slow, stretchy, and rooted in mindfulness, helping you reconnect with your breath and body in the middle of the busy festival day. All levels are welcome — just bring yourself, an open mind, and a willingness to relax.
This gentle flow is the perfect way to reset and recharge before diving back into the excitement.
Check out her website
The Walker Brothers Band
Stage: CAA Music and Activities Stage
Time: 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Close out your festival afternoon with the Walker Brothers Band, featuring Joseph and Jay Walker, Colombian-American brothers based in the Twin Cities.
Their performances combine English, Spanish, and Portuguese lyrics, blending expressive original compositions with timeless classics. Known for their soulful sound and engaging stage presence, the Walker Brothers create a vibrant musical experience that brings people together and celebrates cultural diversity.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to their music, their set is sure to get you moving and leave you inspired.
Check them out: website, Instagram, Facebook
More to Explore at Twin Cities Veg Fest 2025
Twin Cities Veg Fest 2025 isn’t just about food and music — it’s also about sparking conversation, learning new skills, and connecting with community. This year’s Meet the Speakers blog introduces festival highlights like Austin Frerick, an expert on food systems and corporate power, and Sierra Carter, a wellness leader focused on healing communities through plant-based living and cultural connection. Their talks will explore how food choices intersect with justice, health, and inclusivity, giving festival-goers powerful insights to take home.
If you’re hungry for hands-on inspiration, head to the American Vegetarian Association Tent for live cooking demos previewed in our Cooking Demos blog. Local cookbook author Beth Dooley and chef Margaret Telfer will be sharing a bright, flavorful Curried Chickpea Salad, while Food on the Fly will showcase their bold creativity with Pulled “Pork” Tacos topped with Banana BBQ Sauce. These demos are designed to be both fun and practical—proof that plant-based cooking can be exciting, approachable, and absolutely delicious.
Don’t Miss the Fun!
From drumming and dancing to yoga, cooking, and inspiring talks, Twin Cities Veg Fest 2025 is a full day of celebrating community, creativity, and joy. With nearly 100 vendors, family activities like a bouncy house, and plenty of opportunities to connect, it’s the perfect place to explore compassion in action.
📅 Mark Your Calendar: September 21, 2025, at Harriet Island Regional Park
Come ready to move, connect, and celebrate plant-based living!
About Twin Cities Veg Fest
Twin Cities Veg Fest is the Midwest’s largest celebration of plant-based living, hosted by Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA), a local nonprofit founded in 1998. At CAA, we encourage people to cultivate empathy for animals. This year’s 13th anniversary festival theme is Cultivating Compassion, Harvesting Change — a reflection of how individual choices can add up to a healthier, more compassionate world and help move toward a plant-based diet.
What You’ll Find at Twin Cities Veg Fest:
- Around 100 exhibitors with vegan food, products, and information
- Cooking demonstrations from top local chefs
- Inspiring speakers from across the country
- A family area with activities for kids including a bouncy house, playground, and more
- Live music and entertainment throughout the day
Everyone is welcome — whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just curious. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged! Entry is sliding scale, with a suggested donation of $5 per adult and $2 per child. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay. With over 5,000 people expected, it’s the perfect place to eat amazing food, meet new friends, and learn more about plant-based living.
Stay tuned for updates at Twin Cities Veg Fest and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news, mouth-watering previews, and behind-the-scenes fun.
