RI VegFest is a big fully vegan event in Providence, Rhode Island (hosted by a vegan!), featuring food, pop up restaurants, beverages, a bar with unique vegan cocktails and beer, vegan makers, non-profits, cookbook authors, and more.

RI VegFest is held annually in February at WaterFire Arts Center (475 Valley Street, Providence, RI).

Eventbrite has recently changed their ticket delivery process, and after summer 2024, they no longer send tickets via email. Tickets are located inside the Eventbrite app, so be sure to download the app in advance and find your tickets.

In order to enter the event, you’ll need to locate your tickets via the Eventbrite ticketing platform.

If you cannot locate your tickets, you can click here to look them up via Eventbrite, using your email address.

If you cannot locate them using your email address, click here for other ways to locate your tickets via the Eventbrite platform.

Due to extensive ticket fraud, we are unable to look up tickets at check-in unless the original ticket buyer is present and has a photo ID matching the name on the tickets. If you’re buying tickets for friends and family, great! Please be sure to send them their tickets in advance, as we can’t look them up at the door without you there.

Please note that each ticket has its own unique QR code (though they may look identical), and we’ll need to scan each QR code individually.

Please arrive on the correct day, for the time slot you purchased tickets for. While Eventbrite lists the full length of the event when it sends reminder emails out, YOUR tickets have a date and entry time that you chose. RI VegFest has staggered entry times, spread out over two days. Please look at your actual tickets for this info before planning your arrival.

VIP TICKET HOLDERS
If you're a VIP ticket holder, your ticket allows you to enter the event an hour early, at 11:00 am on the day the ticket was purchased for, and stay for as long as you'd like (the event ends at 5 pm both days). You'll receive a swag bag with coupons and samples from our partners. You do not have to arrive at 11:00 am - we will hold your swag bag for you until you arrive. Swag bag contents may vary, but we know you'll love it! Check your bag while you're at the event, as some coupons are valid during the weekend.

12:00 PM TICKET HOLDERS
12:00 PM ticket holders can arrive at 12:00 pm or later on the day their ticket was purchased for, and stay for as long as you'd like. The event ends at 5 pm both days. 2:30 ticket holders cannot arrive during this time slot.

2:30 PM TICKET HOLDERS
2:30 PM ticket holders can arrive at 2:30 or later on the day their ticket was purchased for, and stay through the end of the event (5:00pm). There may be additional late entry tickets available at the door. Keep an eye on social media for details!

RI VegFest has always sold out in advance - and we cannot guarantee tickets will be available at the door. Keep an eye on social media and on our website’s homepage for up to date ticket info.

We cannot sell tickets at the door for any session that has sold out in advance, as the venue has a capacity set by state fire code, and we cannot exceed it.

We cannot switch your tickets for another day or time slot. If you arrive on the wrong day or at the wrong time, we unfortunately cannot let you in. We are held to a capacity per our agreement with the venue, and we cannot overbook the room. Our vendors work hard to prepare for this event, and they plan for a certain number of attendees to be present each day. Vendors would not be able to plan for a successful event if we constantly altered tickets.

As stated at the time of purchase, tickets to our events are non-refundable, but you’re welcome to give them away or sell them. Just be sure to provide the recipient with the QR code for each ticket - they look the same, but each ticket has a unique QR code.

Unfortunately, we can never guarantee that tickets bought on the re-sale market are valid. Ticket purchasers receive tickets via email from Eventbrite with QR codes that are specific to each ticket. When you are buy from resellers, you may be buying tickets that have already been sold, or re-sold, more than once. QR codes will only work one time at check-in, and if you arrive and find that the QR code on your ticket has already been used, we unfortunately will not be able to let you in. Due to capacity restrictions, we cannot make any exceptions. We recommend buying your tickets early, and directly from Eventbrite.

Great question! You’ll find coupons and info on vegan/vegan friendly brands, samples, swag, and more in the totebags that come with the early entry VIP tickets.

Swag bags are only available with the purchase of VIP tickets - which also come with early entry. RI VegFest’s VIP tickets have always sold out in advance, and we will not have extra swag bags available for purchase at the event. We recommend buying your tickets in advance so you don’t miss out!

WaterFire Arts Center is a fully accessible venue, with handicap parking outside the front entrance. RI VegFest is an accessible event and mobility aids are welcome. Please use caution, as the venue does get crowded. If you are a user of mobility aids, please let our staff know if you need a place to sit while you are in line.

Yes, RI VegFest is for all ages! Anyone age 4 and older requires a ticket for entry. Strollers are welcome, but please use caution, as the room gets crowded and you will be responsible for any damage caused to vendor displays.

We love animals (obviously!) - but this event is not pet friendly, per the RI Department of Health. Please leave your pets at home. There are no exceptions, and we cannot refund your tickets if you sneak a Shitzu in.

Service dogs that are trained to work or perform a task for persons with disabilities are welcome. Comfort, therapy, and emotional support animals are not service animals and are not recognized by the ADA, and are not allowed, per our insurance regulations and venue restrictions.

Onsite parking is free and plentiful at the venue. Handicap spaces are right out front. It goes without saying - please do not park in a handicap spot unless you have the legal authority to do so. We will have you towed.

WaterFire Arts Center usually has a coat rack available for use in their gift shop (which you’ll pass through on the way to the event!) - but please note that it is not monitored and WaterFire Arts Center/RI VegFest are not responsible for theft or missing items.

RI VegFest is an indoor event (with the occasional food truck outside), and will take place rain or shine.

We all know how fickle New England weather can be - so dress accordingly! There will be a line to get in, but it moves quickly, and we’ll do our best to check everyone in as fast as possible.

As of now, masks are not required at RI VegFest’s 2025 event - but please note that we reserve the right to require masks if a public health circumstance arises.

We will have a supply of free masks on hand if you would like one, while supplies last.

What can we say? We just like books!

The book swap is held annually and is located near the check-in table. Bring your gently used books and swap them for something new (to you).

We’ll get the swap started with some random books from our own collection, including vegan cookbooks - we hope you’ll join us!

Please, no encyclopedias or textbooks.

Visit our check-in table - lots of things are turned in to us during events. If you realize your item is missing after you've already left, you can send us a message via email, or send a DM on social media.

RI VegFest is a curated event, and we receive hundreds more applications than we can accept. Applications open 8-10 months in advance and are reviewed on a rolling basis. For more info, visit our Vendor FAQ page!

Fur is not welcome at RI VegFest, and we won’t allow entry if you’re wearing it.

Don't be a jerk. We have a zero tolerance policy for rudeness or harassing behavior directed at our staff, the venue staff, our vendors, and other attendees. We will remove you from the event immediately and without a refund, so please just don't.