VanFest 2026: What Actually Happens When the Van Life Community Gets Together
VanFest isn’t a trade show. It isn’t an influencer gathering. It’s what happens when hundreds of people who’ve chosen to live differently all end up in the same field at the same time and start talking.
Brian and Michelle from Livin’ Our Vision showed up with day passes and genuine curiosity. What they found was less of an event and more of a living, breathing archive of every creative decision a person can make when a van becomes home.
Getting There: What to Know Before You Go
The entrance situation at VanFest is worth flagging before your first visit. The signage between day-pass parking and camper parking isn’t clearly marked, something Brian and Michelle figured out the slightly hard way. If you’re coming on a day pass, look specifically for the “daily park” sign rather than the general entrance. Small detail, big difference when you’re navigating a muddy field.
Mud is also a real factor, depending on the weather. Come prepared.
The Vans: Every Style, Every Budget, Every Philosophy
This is where this event earns its reputation. Walking through the grounds means encountering a full spectrum of interpretations of van life, and no two are the same.
Some builds lean hard into affordability and function. Others go deep on craftsmanship and detail. One of the standout moments Brian and Michelle encountered early on was a black Mercedes that started life as a limo and got converted into a full RV by its current owners, who picked it up at auction. That kind of ingenuity runs through the entire event.
Further in, the builds get even more personal. One van owner had painted every single seashell on the upholstered walls herself, added scripture verses to the ceiling and floor, and made the entire interior glow in the dark. She described it as “my little fort,” which says everything about what van life actually means to the people living it.
Then there’s the practical end of the spectrum. One person had created a fully modular interior where every bench lifts for under-storage access, the seating reconfigures entirely, and the whole layout converts between a social space and a sleeping setup; handy enough that when a storm hit during a family camping trip, eight people ended up comfortably seated inside.
What ties it all together is a line that comes up naturally while walking the grounds: everyone is doing it differently, and everyone is doing it for the same reason. Freedom.
The Gear Worth Paying Attention To
The vendor section at VanFest runs alongside the camper area and pulls its own weight. Brian and Michelle came across a few things genuinely worth noting.
A window screen system, apparently originating in Australia, uses magnets and Velcro to attach privacy screens to side windows without requiring tools, a stool, or a particular height. Simple, clever, and the kind of thing that solves a daily annoyance most van owners just live with.
There was also a travel mug that doubles as a pour-over brewer. One piece of gear, two functions, zero counter space required. For anyone building a minimal galley setup, that’s the kind of product that earns its spot.
The Food
Vendors at VanFest serve food alongside gear, which means you can eat well between walkthroughs. Brian and Michelle grabbed Philly cheesesteak and fries from one of the food stalls; the kind of late-afternoon fuel that makes sense after a full day of walking a field in slightly chilly weather.
There were also fresh-baked goods making the rounds – lemon pound cake among them, which apparently required no further justification than existing.
The People Make It Shine
VanFest runs deeper than just looking at vans. Between the builds and the vendor stalls, seminars ran throughout the day, conversations happened organically at every open door, and somehow a dog adoption stand became one of the most talked-about stops on the grounds. There was a schoolie section that had its own gravitational pull, and it planted a seed for Brian that Michelle pulled out immediately. One passing comment about upgrading to a converted school bus. One very firm, very fast “no” from Michelle. Some decisions get made in the field.
Why VanFest Works
Being part of that kind of community feels different because the focus isn’t on comparison. What people share is a similar way of using their time, seeking out moments that feel less rushed and more intentional.
VanFest 2026 delivered exactly that. If you’re curious about van life, considering a build, or just looking to be around people who’ve already made the jump, it’s worth a day pass.
