Parade for the Animals brings Bristol to life

Organised by Friends Not Food, the event brought together advocates, grassroots groups and organisations from across the movement for a powerful day of unity, highlighting veganism’s unstoppable rise and promoting a more compassionate, vegan lifestyle.

The parade itself was a joyful spectacle! Towering inflatable animals, creative costumes, eye-catching signs and lively music filled the street as the march looped from Queen Square and back. Peaceful, upbeat and impossible to ignore, it was both a celebration of animals and a powerful call to action. Vegan anthems echoed through the city alongside the voices of hundreds, prompting passers-by to consider their relationship with animals and recognise them as individuals with rights.

After the parade, the event flowed into a lively vegan market featuring more than 20 stalls offering delicious food, handmade crafts and opportunities to meet charities working in the space. At its heart was a colourful stage hosting a diverse line-up of speakers and performers, with messages of truth, compassion and hope shared through talks, poetry and music. Set in a public garden, the event reached beyond attendees to the wider public, as people stumbled upon it while going about their weekend.

The talks brought together seasoned activists alongside young voices and long-standing campaigners, all united by a common message: now is the time to take a stand for animals. Speakers encouraged everyone to recognise their own strengths, use their unique skills, and, most importantly, never shy away from speaking up. As ultra runner Paul Youd put it: “Animals can’t lobby governments, write articles, expose cruelty or stand on platforms like this and ask the world to do better… we can.”

As music and speeches continued into the early evening, the event left many feeling uplifted and re-energised – a powerful reminder of the strength of this movement, and of the vital role each and every one of us plays within it.