STORY
The Great Vegan Gathering, a new vegan festival due to take place over the August bank holiday weekend at Gilwell Park in north east London, has been cancelled after the Scout Association withdrew the venue booking. Festival organisers confirmed the cancellation in a statement, saying they were “devastated” and that the event would instead be rescheduled for 2027.
The Scouts’ decision followed concerns raised by UK Lawyers for Israel about some performers on the festival’s programme. The organisation alleged that material associated with certain acts promoted antisemitic messages and support for violence against Israelis. After receiving those concerns, the Scout Association confirmed that the event would no longer be taking place at Gilwell Park.
Organisers said they were disappointed by the cancellation and thanked supporters for their backing, adding that they intended to return with the festival in 2027. Ticketing information has since been updated to show the 2026 event as cancelled, while the festival’s website states simply that it “will be back”.