Written by Sason Bishope Parry
Berkeley, CA – The plant-based block party of the year is back. The Fifth Annual Bizerkeley Food Festival is about to take over the North Berkeley BART Station on Sunday, September 7th, and this time, it’s not just a food festival, it’s a full-blown vibe. From noon to 6 pm, prepare for an explosion of flavor, culture, compassion, and community at the Bay Area’s biggest vegan celebration.
Erika Hazel, aka The Bizerkeley Vegan, is back at the helm with her powerhouse team of passionate plant-powered visionaries, turning 90,000 square feet of outdoor space into a colorful, soulful, mouthwatering playground of all things vegan. This isn’t just a comeback, it’s a level-up.
“We go bigger every year, but this one right here, this is the one I’ve always dreamed of,” says Erika. “I truly believe this will be the most fun, flavorful, and impactful Bizerkeley Food Festival yet.”
100+ Vegan Vendors = 100 Reasons to Show Up Hungry
This year’s lineup is a global flavor odyssey. Caribbean fire, soulful comfort, sushi rolls that slap, crispy bites, tropical sweets, and dishes that taste like childhood memories, just veganized. From pineappleWHIPS to Cocobreeze Caribbean, from Maya’s Cookies to Jollof Kitchen and Fungi Foods, you’ll find new obsessions at every turn. These aren’t just vendors, they’re culinary storytellers. They’re flipping the script on what it means to eat with compassion, culture, and creativity. If you’ve ever said, “I could never go vegan,” Bizerkeley will lovingly prove you wrong… with flavor.
Sip, Chill & Vibe in the 21+ Garden
Looking to kick back? The Bizerkeley Beer & Wine Garden on Acton Street is your oasis. Sip exceptional vintages from Tessier Winery, catch a burst of bubbly from Traveling Bird House’s fruit-forward Mimosa Bar, and unwind under the Berkeley sun surrounded by your plant-based tribe.
Beyond the Plate: Art, Merch & Planet-Loving Finds
This festival isn’t just about food, it’s a movement. Discover handcrafted goods, wearable art, and lifestyle brands from creators like Vegan Power Co., Nubian Chic Designs, Auraeology, and Luxx Jewels. This is where your ethics meet your aesthetics.
Rooted in Purpose: Community and Compassion at the Core
Bizerkeley is powered by more than taste—it’s powered by purpose. Organizations like California Pit Bull Rescue, Farm Fresh to You, Acterra, and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation will be on-site, reminding us that plant-based living is about so much more than diet; it’s about doing better for all living beings. Swing by these booths and leave not just inspired, but activated.
Entertainment & First-Ever Pickleball Tournament
Yeah, you’ll eat, but you’ll also dance, laugh, and play. This year’s stacked entertainment lineup features:
· Live sets from: Uromastyx, Keidra, DJ Ajani, Duy Mac Tu, and the hula stylings of Ko Makou Ohana Aloha
· Whipped Cream Pie-Eating Contest (for the kiddos!)
· Vegan Fashion Show featuring festival vendors
· Bounce houses (including one for grown-ups because… why not?)
· Eco-Sports Pickleball Tournament, hosted by USA Pickleball player Troy Akin, with cash prizes up for grabs
· Silent Auction Market with all proceeds benefiting California Pit Bull Rescue
Giving Back: California Pit Bull Rescue
At the heart of it all is love, for animals, for people, for the planet. A portion of this year’s proceeds goes to California Pit Bull Rescue, a local nonprofit saving lives and advocating for misunderstood breeds.
“CPR has been part of this festival since 2023,” Erika says. “Their work is close to my heart, and I’m proud to support them in a bigger way this year.”
New in 2025: Bizerkeley Food Fest Week
Can’t wait until Sunday? You don’t have to. Dive into a full week of lead-up events:
· Mon, Sept 1 – Labor Day Kick-Off @ Sports Basement Presidio
· Tue, Sept 2 – “Find Your Food Fest BFF” Mixer
· Wed, Sept 3 – Cooking Class with Top Tier Chef
· Thu, Sept 4 – Mac & Cheese Tasting Competition
· Fri, Sept 5 – Fireside Chat w/ Plant-Based Pioneers
· Sat, Sept 6 – VIP Wristband Pick-Up & Pre-Order Party
· Sun, Sept 7 – Main Event & Inaugural Pickleball Showdown
Festival Details at a Glance
· Location: North Berkeley BART Station (1759 Acton St)
· Time: Noon – 6 PM
· Space: 90,000 sq ft, family-friendly, ADA accessible
· Getting There: BART, AC Transit, limited free parking nearby
· Tips: Bring your reusable water bottles, picnic blankets, and festival spirit
· Service animals only (ADA-compliant)
Tickets: Free to the People—but Reserve Early!
· General Admission: FREE (but space is limited. RSVP now via Eventeny or Eventbrite)
· Express Entry ($20): Skip the line, early pick-up, special welcome gift
· VIP Pass ($75): Early access, VIP lounge, meet & greet, exclusive swag, 50% merch discount, and entry to Food Fest Week events
Powered by Community, Sponsored with Love
Special thanks to Sports Basement, a five-year sponsor, and SF BARTable, this year’s official media and venue partner. Vendor & volunteer sign-ups are now open, along with in-kind donation opportunities for those looking to give back.
With over 12,000 attendees and $11,000 raised for local causes in previous years, the 2025 Bizerkeley Food Festival is poised to be the most epic edition yet. This isn’t just a party, it’s a platform for change. A movement of love, flavor, compassion, and culture.
So, what are you waiting for? Come curious. Leave plant-based inspired. Come hungry. Leave whole. We’ll see you in Bizerkeley.
For more information, visit bizerkeleyfoodfest.com
About The Bizerkeley Food Festival
The Bizerkeley Food Festival was founded in 2021 by Erika Hazel, The Bizerkeley Vegan. This curated event focuses on introducing top-tier, hand-selected vegan businesses to the public to normalize how amazing they can be. For more information, visit bizerkeleyfoodfest.com or follow @bizerkeleyfoodfest on Instagram.
About The Bizerkeley Vegan
The Bizerkeley Vegan is the moniker of vegan entrepreneur Erika Hazel after she transitioned to the vegan lifestyle in Berkeley, California, in 2016. Urban Dictionary defines “Berzerkeley” as a slang term used to describe the beautiful, politically and socially liberal mecca that is the city of Berkeley (a combination of “berserk” and “Berkeley”). After growing up hearing the nickname for years, Erika adopted the Bizerkeley Vegan denomination because she interpreted it as ‘bizarre Berkeley,’ meaning unique, unconventional, and extraordinary, which is how the city of Berkeley makes her feel. Erika Hazel is a nationally recognised vegan businesswoman, recipe creator, magazine contributor, and philanthropist. As a vegan food expert, Erika is always discovering the best vegan cuisine to share with her family and social media followers, making the world a more vegan-friendly place, one bite at a time. The Bizerkeley Vegan is not only a popular social media influencer and food blogger, but also specialises in events, consultations, and speaking engagements. Erika‘s goal is to engage with people to help them find the best plant-based foods the world has to offer.
For more information, visit bizerkeleyfoodfest.com or follow @itserikahazel on Instagram
