We advocate for veganism every day of the year, but November is officially recognized as World Vegan Month, which begins with World Vegan Day on November 1.
Established in 1994 by The Vegan Society in the United Kingdom, World Vegan Month commemorates the 50th anniversary of the society’s founding in November 1944 and aims to amplify and empower the global vegan movement. The Vegan Society created the word “vegan” by taking the beginning and end of the word “vegetarian,” ultimately defining it as the principle that humans should live without exploiting other animals.
World Vegan Month champions animal rights and calls for an end to the use of animals for food products, clothing, entertainment, experimentation, transportation, labor, or any other purpose. While plant-based eating offers many benefits to people and the planet, veganism is much more than a diet — it is a justice issue focused solely on animals.
To celebrate World Vegan Month 2025, we are hosting a month of in-person and virtual events. Two in-depth conversations with leading animal rights activists invite you to dive deeply into science, vegan ethics, and veterinary advocacy, and how we can tackle cruelty and killing, environmental destruction, climate chaos, zoonotic disease outbreaks, and pandemic threats caused by animal farming.
All animals deserve bodily autonomy and freedom from harm by humans. Let’s come together to create the transformative change our world so urgently needs.
See our full lineup of events below, discover ways to get involved, and join us in taking action for animals this World Vegan Month!
In-person:
Saturday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. PT
San Francisco World Vegan Festival
SMC Event Center, 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA
If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, join us at the San Francisco World Vegan Festival! Come say hello and learn more at In Defense of Animals’ table.
Online:
Friday, Nov. 14, 12 p.m. PT
Climate Justice, Veganism, & Bold Change with Dr. Sailesh Rao
Founder of Climate Healers, a science-based nonprofit advocating for ecological regeneration and veganism, Dr. Sailesh Rao shares his research and vision for solving the climate crisis, ending food insecurity, and eliminating animal cruelty through veganism, reforestation, and deep systemic reform. He explains how animal farming is decimating our shared planet and presents a call to collective action to restore balance, healing, and justice for the planet and all Earthlings.
Thursday, November 20, 1 p.m. PT
Veterinarians Speak Out on Bird Flu Cruelty and Mass Killings with Dr. Crystal Heath
Veterinarian and co-founder of Our Honor, Dr. Crystal Heath, exposes public health risks, mass animal killings, and the horrific practice of ventilation shutdown linked to bird flu, plus taxpayer-funded payouts that enable such cruelty. A self-described conscientious objector to animal-based products, Dr. Heath empowers veterinarians to speak out against institutional cruelty and calls for urgent action to prevent more suffering and the next pandemic.
Support Groups: Join our free monthly Zoom meetings
Monday, November 10, 4 p.m. PT
Vegan Mentor Support Group
Join us on the second Monday of each month for community, support, and practical guidance, whether you are just starting or have been vegan for years. We explore the challenges of living vegan in a non-vegan world in a welcoming space where you can stay inspired, informed, and connected. There is no pressure to speak or be on camera, and sessions are not recorded to protect your privacy.
Thursday, November 24, 5 p.m. PT
Thanksgiving Day: Animal Activist Support Group
This group provides emotional support for animal activists worldwide. Our monthly Zoom meetings and Facebook group provide a safe and nonjudgmental space for sharing thoughts and feelings about issues such as burnout, compassion fatigue, self-care, and navigating relationships with non-activist friends and family. Anyone engaged in advocacy for animals is welcome.
Keep the Momentum Going
- Sign our latest alert for farmed animals: End Horrific Ventilation Shutdown and the Mass Killing of Animals
- See how we celebrated World Vegan Month in 2024.
- Watch our past conversation on vegan advocacy with Farmed Animals Campaigner, Lia Wilbourn, and Dr. Faraz Harsini, founder and CEO of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection.
- See the latest news and take action for farmed animals.
- Uncover the humane deception of animal farming.
- Discover our Vegan Wake Up Call and share with others.
- Understand Speciesism, the mindset that leads to the oppression of animals.
- Don’t forget aquatic animals, and other animals who are exploited and killed for entertainment and sport, state fairs, so-called “education” and youth contests, clothing, laboratory research, breeding for companionship, and more
Join us in living vegan and help speak up for all animals.
