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Van Living

Ultimate List of Van Life Events, Gatherings, and Festivals

What are Van Life Events?

If one is ever curious about the nomadic community, you only need to attend one van life event to get a taste of the culture. Even events that are pegged as “#vanlife” events are always open to all nomadic travelers.

Everyone is welcome, from weekend warriors car camping to families living full time on the road in their converted school bus (called “skoolies”). The number one goal for every van life event is to build community around the nomadic lifestyle.

There are a variety of van life events, gatherings, and festivals. Some are sponsored and charge a fee to join in on the fun. There are typically vendor booths promoting things from new aftermarket gear, van builds, food, music, and workshops led by well-known influencers. Often there is live music, yoga sessions, and even group arts and crafts lessons.

Builders may be available to help with your projects, mechanics sometimes offer up services, and at some point, there’s always a group planning a potluck of sorts.

For the ultimate list of van life gatherings and events happening this year, read on!

Table of Contents

2025 Van Life Events, Gatherings, and Festivals

This list is a great starting point for van life events happening in 2025. While you can use apps like Sēkr or join van life Facebook groups to find even more gatherings, festivals or events, this list includes the most highly-attended and longest-recurring events to date!

Are you ready to find an event near you?

If you do not see an event on our list, please click the button below to submit information about the gathering! We’ll add it to the list ASAP.

ADD AN EVENT TO OUR CALENDAR

January 2024

  • January 11 – 14: Vanlife Pride’s Pride in the Desert Meetup / Quartzsite, AZ
    • Vanlife Pride’s annual gathering in the desert in Arizona is our FREE community-driven event. This gathering brings together queer folks and allies at the beginning of the year with the intention for new connections to form and grow throughout the year. Join us for a safe space to be your most authentic self!
  • January 13 – 21: Xscapers Annual Bash 2024 / Lake Havasu City, AZ
    • If you’ve never been to an Xscapers Annual Bash, you’re in for a surprise! We mean it when we say, “this ain’t your grandma’s RV rally!” There’s something for everyone at this one-of-a-kind event. Start your day off with yoga, a fitness class, or a sports activity. After that, you can join in on one of the many seminars put on by our very own community members covering topics related to RV life including boondocking, solar, remote work, and more!
  • January 15 – 22: SkooliePalooza / Ehrenberg, AZ
    • Welcome to the Official SkooliePalooza. We are an inclusive community primarily surrounding Skoolie and Bus life (and we even love on the Vanlifers). Our #1 rule is: Be Nice. Join us on your Skoolie Adventure!
  • January 19 – 29: Q24 YouTube RV Rally / Quartzsite, AZ
    • Set in the La Posa South BLM LTVA outside of Quartzsite, we’ll bring you events, activities, seminars, and most importantly, camaraderie around the campfire to last a lifetime. We’ll be dutch oven cooking, building lithium power banks, going hiking and kayaking, riding UTVs, holding informative group sessions, and much, much more. It doesn’t matter if you camp in a motorhome, an RV trailer, a cargo trailer, a skoolie, a fire truck, or even a tent. It doesn’t matter if you’re a YouTube creator or a YouTube viewer — any and all are welcome to circle the wagons around the campfire and make new lifelong camping friends. And we’ll have some pretty big prizes and giveaways for participants from our corporate partners RV Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding, Blu Technology, and KZ RV.
      Details will follow right here. Join the group now to stay informed.
  • January 24: Escapees Quartzsite Happy Hour – Party on Plomosa / Quartzsite, AZ
    • The Escapees Quartzsite Happy Hour is a long-standing tradition, and this year we look forward to continuing to bring a lively atmosphere and activities to Party on Plomosa. The Escapees event trailer, known as Freedom One, will be center stage hosting one of Escapees’ favorite community bands, The Status Crowes. So come dance, sing along, and enjoy some food on us while you reunite with old friends and foster new connections with your RVing community. Don’t worry, we’ll have porta-potties onsite, too. Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter!
  • January 26 – 28: VanFest 2024 / Space Coast Daily Park – Viera, FL
    • Surf’s up! Vanfest hits up the surf capital of the East Coast for sun, sand, and vans.We’ll be at Space Coast Daily Park, and have 20 acres of open space for a legendary gathering
  • January 27 – February 25: Xscapers Mexico Winter Home Base / Puerto Penasco, Mexico
    • The Xscapers Mexico Winter Home Base is returning in 2024 and we’re headed back to Rocky Point! Join us with your hosts, Nicole and Jen in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, for an enriching month packed with exciting activities, laid-back beach days, and chances to contribute to the local community. Join the sold out waitlist!
  • January 31 – February 5: Escapar a la Baja / Playa El Tecolote, Baja California Sur
    • Go back to Escapar, the free vanlife and overlanding meetup and event which will be held at Playa El Tecolote on January 31st – February 5th, 2024. Please RSVP to let us know you will attend, and come do something interactive and creative in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
    • Instagram: @thejournaloflosttime

January 2025

  • January 9 – 13: Vanlife Pride’s Pride in the Desert Meetup / Quartzsite, AZ
    • Vanlife Pride’s annual gathering in the desert in Arizona is our FREE community-driven event. This gathering brings together queer folks and allies at the beginning of the year with the intention for new connections to form and grow throughout the year. Join us for a safe space to be your most authentic self!
  • January 11 – 19: Xscapers Annual Bash 2025 / Lake Havasu City, AZ
    • If you’ve never been to an Xscapers Annual Bash, you’re in for a surprise! We mean it when we say, “this ain’t your grandma’s RV rally!” There’s something for everyone at this one-of-a-kind event. Start your day off with yoga, a fitness class, or a sports activity. After that, you can join in on one of the many seminars put on by our very own community members covering topics related to RV life including boondocking, solar, remote work, and more!
  • January 17 – 27: Q24 YouTube RV Rally / Quartzsite, AZ
    • Set in the La Posa South BLM LTVA outside of Quartzsite, we’ll bring you events, activities, seminars, and most importantly, camaraderie around the campfire to last a lifetime. We’ll be holding seminars and informative group sessions, going hiking and kayaking, riding UTVs, and much, much more. It doesn’t matter if you camp in a motorhome, an RV trailer, a cargo trailer, a skoolie, a fire truck, or even a tent. It doesn’t matter if you’re a YouTube creator or a YouTube viewer — any and all are welcome to circle the wagons around the campfire and make new lifelong camping friends. And we’ll have some pretty big prizes and giveaways for participants from our corporate partners.
  • January 22: Escapees Quartzsite Happy Hour – Party on Plomosa / Quartzsite, AZ
    • The Escapees Quartzsite Happy Hour is a long-standing tradition, and this year we look forward to continuing to bring a lively atmosphere and activities to Party on Plomosa. The Escapees event trailer, known as Freedom One, will be center stage hosting one of Escapees’ favorite community bands, The Status Crowes. So come dance, sing along, and enjoy some food on us while you reunite with old friends and foster new connections with your RVing community. Don’t worry, we’ll have porta-potties onsite, too. Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter!
  • January 29 – February 3: Escapar a la Baja / San Juan de la Costa, Baja California Sur
    • A temporary village of paceños, choyeros, nomads, overlanders, and vanlifers in celebration of Baja California Sur, the Gulf of California, & regenerative tourism. Get your tickets and come do something interactive and creative in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
    • Instagram: @thejournaloflosttime

February 2024

  • February 2 – 6: 2nd Annual Arizona Ironwood Forest Meet-Up / Marana, AZ
    • Primitive Dispersed Boondocking
      Where: Ironwood Forest National Monument
      Bureau Land Management Land
      When: February 2-6, 2024
      Email: MeetInArizona@gmail.com for specific questions
  • February 2 – 15: Van Aid / Plomosa Rd. Quartzsite, AZ
    • This will be a gathering of Nomad friends camping in the same general area with the intention of helping each other out with small rig construction and repair projects for free. Two weeks is a very short time when it comes to construction projects, please set your expectations realistically.
      The is no one in charge of this gathering. Feel free to use the discussion area of this event to post your needs or abilities. It’s best if you have all the materials and parts for your project before you come.
  • February 12 – 19: Xscapers Pyro Party 2024 / Lake Havasu City, AZ
    • Xscapers Pyro Party 2024 (Formally known as Xscapers Winter Blast) February 12th – February 19th, 2024 Join your host and fellow Xscaper, Rebecca Jane for a unique gathering in Lake Havasu City, AZ, where we have snagged a designated parking area for the 2024 Western Winter Blast & Pyro Party at the SARA Park Rodeo Grounds. The week will be filled with live music, social gatherings, and epic fireworks displays. This is a dry camping event with limited availability. 
  • February 13 – 19: Winter Blast Hangout / Lake Havasu City, AZ
    • Western Winter Blast, held each President’s Day Weekend, is the premier pyrotechnics event of the winter. Fireworks manufacturers, show producers and pyrotechnic hobbyists come to Winter Blast from around the globe to light up the night sky over Lake Havasu City with fireworks shows and demonstrations. Experience our six-night WinterBlast Hangout pyrotechnics extravaganza and several outdoor activities in the Lake Havasu City area. This Hangout is currently sold out, but join the waiting list and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up!
  • February 15 – 19: Truck Camper Adventure Quartzsite Rally / Quartzsite, AZ
    • An educational event with an emphasis on safety and responsible public land use, and hosted by Truck Camper Adventure, this is the largest and probably the best truck camper rally in America. In 2023, we hosted 332 truck campers. In February 2024, we are opening up enrollment to 450 truck campers.
    • Instagram: @truckcamperadventure 
  • February 16 – 19: Peace, Love & Vans Florida / Dade City, FL
    • We created a tiny village full of groovy, amazing people in our first year. Both vanlifers and van-curious coming together to create a beautiful and memorable weekend. It felt like more than just a gathering. The sense of connection and community shared throughout the little village we created made us rethink our name and came up with something better: Peace Love & Vans Florida. Don’t miss this event that is one of the biggest and best camper van events in the Southeast. Tickets are already selling quickly with some campgrounds sold out! Whether you’re a vanlifer or just van-curious this is a truly unique event with hundreds of camper vans and awesome people coming together featuring live music, workshops, van tours and DIY build contest and much more.
  • February 16 – 25: 7th Annual Skoolie Swarm / Melrose, FL
    • Join the annual Skoolie Swarm for a chance to come and relax as a community. Importantly, this is not a festival. It’s a big extended skoolie family reunion in sunny Florida with over 130 registered vehicles so far. Open to skoolies, vans, box trucks, tents, RVs, etc. Daytrippers also welcome!
  • February 17: Brooklyn VanLife Gathering / Brooklyn, New York
    • Brooklyn Campervans has just moved to a new shop in East Williamsburg and we want to celebrate with a (ware)house warming and #VanLife gathering. Meet other VanLifers, hear their stories. Learn about living the #VanLife Dream! We will have delicious food and free beer. Partake in raffles and games. Feel free to invite friends, and please RSVP so we can accommodate. 
  • February 25 – March 2: North to Alaska Adventure Aurora Borealis aka Northern Lights HOP #1 / Fairbanks, AK
    • Join your fellow Escapees and travel to Alaska to see the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Flying into Fairbanks, Alaska, is a journey of a lifetime and includes exciting tours with local expert guides. You can sip an appletini in an ice-carved glass, at the ice bar, on ice seats.

February 2025

  • February 6 – 10: VanFest: LIFTOFF! / Melbourne, FL
    • VanFest: LIFTOFF! is the largest community-focused nomadic celebration in Florida! This weekend-long, space-themed event will have hundreds of vans, buses, and everything in-between coming together for games, giveaways, costume contests, workshops, industry-leading vendors, live music, standup, and more!
  • February 7 – 10: 4th Annual Arizona Ironwood Forest Meet Up / Marana, AZ
    • Primitive Dispersed Boondocking Camping in RV, Vanlife, Truck Camping, Teardrops, Schoolies, Box Trucks, Cars, and Travel Trailers are welcome!
      Where: Ironwood Forest National Monument BLM
  • February 7 – 14: Skooliepalooza / Quartzsite, AZ
    • Welcome to the Official Skooliepalooza. We are an inclusive community primarily surrounding Skoolie and Bus life (and we even love on the Vanlifers). Our #1 rule is: Be Nice. Join us on your Skoolie Adventure!
  • February 11 – 17: Winter Blast Hangout / Lake Havasu City, AZ
    • Prepare to be spellbound next Valentine’s Day and President’s Day Weekend at the 37th annual Western Winter Blast in Lake Havasu City! Get ready for a heart-pounding adventure with front row seats to breathtaking fireworks displays that will ignite the sky. During your six-night dry-camping Hangout in Lake Havasu, we’ll navigate our way through a scavenger hunt on land, unravel the secrets of the iconic London Bridge with a captivating guided walking tour, and set sail on the majestic Colorado River aboard a scenic paddle-wheeler cruise. We’ll also dive into the serenity of the Bridgewater Channel as we kayak under the majestic bridge. Don’t miss out on this electrifying journey packed with unforgettable moments! This Hangout is currently sold out, but join the waiting list and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up!
  • February 12 – 16: Truck Camper Adventure Quartzsite Rally / Quartzsite, AZ
    • An educational event with an emphasis on safety and responsible public land use, and hosted by Truck Camper Adventure, this is the largest and probably the best truck camper rally in America.In February 2024, we hosted 403 truck campers and expect even more campers and interest in 2025.
  • February 21 – March 2: 8th Annual Skoolie Swarm / Melrose, FL
    • This is not a festival, it’s a chance to come and relax with the skoolie community. One attendee recently said, “It’s like a family reunion with only the good cousins!” Just like at previous Swarms we will have epic potluck dinners, community breakfasts, kickball games, costume party, informative talks, movie nights and more! In February 2024 we had over 275 homes in attendance. You do not have to have a bus to join us at the Skoolie Swarm, you just have to have the skoolie spirit! There were skoolies, vans, box trucks, tent campers, vintage RVs, campers and more.
  • February 28 – March 2: Southeast Adventure Vehicle Expo / Starke, FL
    • At the biggest overlanding expo in the southeast, the overlanding community comes together to showcase the latest off-road vehicles, overland focused camping gear, and a host of adventure-geared accessories. You can also participate in educational classes, learn through hands-on seminars, and then test your skills on our obstacle course or off-road trail. All this is complemented by a variety of food trucks to satisfy nearly any craving, and raffles for prizes occurring throughout the three-day event.

March 2024

  • March 1 – 3: Southeast Overland & Outdoor Expo / Starke, FL
    • At the Southeast Adventure Vehicle Expo, the biggest overlanding expo in the southeast, the overlanding community comes together to showcase the latest off-road vehicles, overland focused camping gear, and a host of adventure-geared accessories. You can also participate in educational classes, learn through hands-on seminars, and then test your skills on our obstacle course or off-road trail. All this is complemented by a variety of food trucks to satisfy nearly any craving, and raffles for prizes occurring throughout the three-day event.

  • March 3 – 9: North to Alaska Adventure Aurora Borealis aka Northern Lights HOP #2 / Fairbanks, AK
    • The Northern Lights are on most people’s bucket list, and the best way to see these magical dancing lights is to be there in person. Do not worry about falling asleep and missing the Northern Lights. Our guide will wake us at the proper time of night, so we will not miss anything!
  • March 16 – 17: Tiny Fest California / Del Mar Fairgrounds, CA
    • TinyFest California is coming back to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Come and meet tiny home builders and van conversion specialist, talk with homeowners who have “gone tiny”, enjoy the expert speaker presentations, vendor interactions, live music, entertainment, and awesome vibe at TinyFest California.
  • March 21 – 24: A Roam of Our Own / Palm Springs, California
    • The Journal of Lost Time hosts A Roam of Our Own. A place for womxn, and those who identify as a woman, to gather and celebrate solo life on the road. Join us in Palm Springs.
  • March 22 – 25: Van Jam Campout / Jacumba, California
    • Wellness meets VanLife meets Party! A multi-day gathering & retreat for the nomadically inclined at a beautiful an amenity-packed campground in the southern California desert.
  • March 26 – 29: Descend on Pinnacles / Pinnacles, CA
    • Private camp land access in California’s Pinnacles. Luxury amenities include porta potties, hand washing stations, and relatively level ground to park your rig. Live music & live humans, being. Daily maker’s market. Morning yoga.
    • Instagram: @descendonbend

April 2024

  • April 4 – 7: Revel Van Rally / Tucson, Arizona
    • Welcome to Rocky Mountain Adventure Rally! Last year we changed things up, including the name of our event (previously known as Revel Van Rally). We have expanded in the previous 5 years and felt it was time to truly bring in everyone who seeks the adventure of Van Life, Overland Life, Adventure Motorcycling, and World-Class Mountain Biking under one roof at a single event. 
    • Instagram: @rocky_mountain_adventure_rally
  • April 6 – 14: Solar Eclipse Event / Red River Valley Fairgrounds – Paris, TX
    • The Escapees RV Club Solar Eclipse Event in Paris, TX promises an unforgettable experience filled with fun gatherings and activities meant to foster the famous Escapees and Xscapers community spirit. Gather with fellow RVers for 8 nights of fun and entertainment. You’ll be treated to live music performances, themed activities, and group gatherings.  The pinnacle of the event will be the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th, with more than 4 minutes of totality over our location. This promises to be an extraordinary event that blends celestial wonder with the joys of community and life on the road.

  • April 19 – 20: Moore Overlanding and Off-Road Expo / Ozark Empire Fairgrounds – Springfield, MO
    • The Midwest’s #1 Adventure Travel Consumer Show. Attend courses to broaden your knowledge. Learn from others, and discuss ideas in our open forums. Want to know how to pack that first aid kit? What equipment is essential? How to use that navigation app? Stay tuned as we grow our seminar list to help get you on the right track!
    • Instagram: @mooreexpo
  • April 18 – 22: Weird Wild West / Bisbee, AZ
  • April 27 – May 4: Overland Meetup in Moab Patreon Subscriber Meetup / Moab, UT
    • Meetup in Moab. Week of trails, exploring and Jeep Badge Trails all vehicle types welcome.
      Stay tuned for more details. Updates will be posted in the discussion thread.
  • April 28 – May 4: Best of Nashville HOP / Nashville, TN
    • Let us do the complex and time-consuming work of planning a vacation and also driving you there, while you sit back, relax and enjoy! Board a luxury motorcoach and enjoy a leisurely ride in and around Nashville with a knowledgeable local tour guide.
      HOPs are fun and exciting, especially when shared with like-minded people! Remember to bring your camera!

March 2025

  • March 7 – 10: Peace, Love & Vans Florida / Dade City, FL
    • Whether you’re a vanlifer or just vanlife curious, come and join us at the most epic vanlife meetup and industry expo in sunny Florida and one of the largest in the Southeast USA! Together, we’ll form a 1960’s inspired utopian van village for the weekend featuring hundreds of vans ranging from DIY builds to professionally converted vans and everything in between. The event is hosted at the amazing Withlacoochee River Park on a wooded site that features ancient oak trees and a grassy field. And, if you want to take a break from vans, you can take advantage of awesome outdoor activities like hikes, biking, and enjoying the river. The park is located between Tampa & Orlando (about 40 minutes from each city).
  • March 8 – 9: Tiny Fest California / Del Mar Fairgrounds, CA
    • Come celebrate tiny living at TinyFest! Explore a variety of tiny houses and ADUs from pro-builders. Plus check out the van conversions and nomad homes. Tour tiny houses on wheels, backyard cottages, modular & manufactured ADUs, vans, bus conversions and more! Enjoy the Simple Living Marketplace, live music & good food!

April 2025

  • April 17 – 21: A Roam of Our Own / Fallbrook, California
    • A safe, temporary village of women and non-binary nomads, overlanders, and van lifers.

  • April 17 – 21: Van Jam Campout / Jacumba, California
    • Wellness meets VanLife meets Party! A multi-day gathering & retreat for the nomadically inclined at a beautiful an amenity-packed campground in the southern California desert.
  • April 25 – 26: Moore Overlanding and Off-Road Expo / Ozark Empire Fairgrounds – Springfield, MO
    • The Midwest’s #1 Adventure Travel Consumer Show. Attend courses to broaden your knowledge. Learn from others, and discuss ideas in our open forums. Want to know how to pack that first aid kit? What equipment is essential? How to use that navigation app? Stay tuned as we grow our seminar list to help get you on the right track! 
  • April 27 – May 2: Best of Nashville HOP / Nashville, TN
    • Let us do the complex and time-consuming work of planning a vacation and also driving you there, while you sit back, relax and enjoy! Board a luxury motorcoach and enjoy a leisurely ride in and around Nashville with a knowledgeable local tour guide.
      HOPs are fun and exciting, especially when shared with like-minded people! Remember to bring your camera!

May 2024

  • May 2 – 5: RendezVan Mt. Bachelor / Mount Bachelor, Oregon
    • RendezVan is a van life gathering to celebrate the growing camper community that visit Mt. Bachelor each spring. This four-day event includes camping, skiing, live music, lawn games, local breweries and morning yoga.
  • May 6 – 13: Black Hills & Badlands Hangout / Spearfish, SD
    • Like the pioneers before us, get ready to explore the wild west for 7-nights! From bison herds, U.S. monuments, and shootouts to brothels. Interact with how life was and how nature endures in South Dakota. Join us as we ‘re-settle’ in the wild west with visits to scenic Custer State Park, the rustic Badlands, and its wildlife. We’ll get a little rowdy with gunfights in Deadwood and a brothel museum experience. We’ll chow down on local fare like bison burgers and beer. Let’s show the West we are the new RV pioneers.
  • May 16 – 20: Camp Carpe Diem 2024 / Hot Springs, Arkansas
    • Presented by Hammock Universe – Seize a long weekend to find your joy. Meet people who share your passion for travel. Laugh as you bike, hike, or kick back around a campfire and build lasting memories with your new best friends.
  • May 17 – 19: Overland Expo West / Ft. Tuthill County Park – Flagstaff, AZ
    • Overland Expo® is the premier overlanding event series in the world—no other event offers the scope of classes taught by the world’s leading experts alongside a professional-level trade show that brings together all the camping and vehicle and motorcycle equipment and services you need to Get Outfitted. Get Trained. Get Inspired. Get Going.
    • Instagram: @overlandexpo

May 2025

  • May 15 – 18: Camp Carpe Diem / Salida, CO
    • A three-day camping adventure where you can hike, mountain bike, enjoy photography safaris and local tastings at craft breweries and distilleries. There is time for you to explore on your own or with fellow campers, as well as community dinners and nightly campfires. This is a long weekend for you to enjoy yourself with fellow travelers – people who RV, tent camp, or just enjoy getting out to explore new areas. It is time to be a kid again and just do things because they are fun!
  • May 16 – 18: Overland Expo West / Flagstaff, AZ
    • Overland Expo is the premier overlanding event series in the world—no other event offers the scope of classes taught by the world’s leading experts alongside a professional-level trade show that brings together all the camping and vehicle and motorcycle equipment and services you need to Get Outfitted. Get Trained. Get Inspired. Get Going.

June 2024

  • June 6 – 10: The Caravan / Naturita, CO
    • The Caravan vanlife, overlanding, and nomad event will be held at CampV in Naturita, Colorado June 6th – 10th.
  • June 7 – 9: Randi’s Summer 2024 Wanna Camp Together Meet-Up / Champion, Pennsylvania
    • Get ready to make “extra special” camping memories at the upcoming 2024 Randi’s Adventures “Wanna Camp Together” meetup! I’ve said this same thing for the past two years, but touring the Xtreme Outdoors factory in Pennsylvania is going to make this an extra special event! Are you ready to camp together, make new friends, reunite with past buddies, learn from each other, and have some fun???
  • June 14 – 21: O’24 Nomad Meetup – Gracie & Jacq’s Adventures Oregon Meet-Up / Schroeder Park in Grants Pass, OR
    • Camping, sharing, laughing, hiking, water fun, bicycling, campfires and getting to hang out with each other! OH shoot, forgot to add: Enjoy Good food and BYOB AND SHARE!
  • June 20 – 24: Wind River Rally / Hudson, Wyoming
    • The Wind River Rally vanlife and overlanding gathering from The Journal of Lost Time, and will be held in Hudson, Wyoming in beautiful Wind River country Wyoming on June 20-24th.
  • June 21: Flaming Gorge Hop 2024 / Rock Springs, WY
    • After the Escapade, join your fellow Escapees and travel in an air-conditioned motorcoach, along with a local tour guide, and visit Flaming Gorge, south of Rock Springs and Green River.
  • June 23 – July 7: Sisters Shindig / Sisters, OR
    • Come join this casual, slightly organized gathering of vanlifers and other nomads designed to bring people together to build community on the road. Make new friends. Bring a dish for the Friday night potluck. It’ll be community-led impromptu activities during the week, before and after the “official” gathering weekend with planned events. Everyone is welcome regardless of what you drive, how you look, or how you identify.
  • June 28 – 30: Overland Expo PNW / Redmond, OR
    • See the world’s leading experts alongside a professional-level trade show that brings together all the equipment and services you need to get outfitted.
    • Instagram: @overlandexpo

June 2025

  • June 6 – 8: Randi’s Adventures Wanna Camp Together Meetup / Custer, SD
    • Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at the 2025 Randi’s Adventures Wanna Camp Together Meetup! We’re heading to the stunning Black Hills of Custer, South Dakota, from June 6-8, 2025. This is your chance to join fellow Little Guy and other small camper camping enthusiasts for a weekend packed with fun, friendship, and an epic wildlife experience.
  • June 27 – 29: Overland Expo PNW / Redmond, OR
    • Overland Expo is the premier overlanding event series in the world—no other event offers the scope of classes taught by the world’s leading experts alongside a professional-level trade show that brings together all the camping and vehicle and motorcycle equipment and services you need to Get Outfitted. Get Trained. Get Inspired. Get Going.

July 2024

  • July 6 – 21: Badlands VanFest / Drumheller, Canada 
    • The 29th Badlands Passion Play returns to the Badlands Amphitheatre in 2024. Join us for this epic story of faith, hope & love based on the life of Christ and portrayed on Canada’s outdoor stage.
    • Instagram: @badlandsvanfest
  • July 10 – 14: 51st Annual National Truck-In / Sterling, Colorado
    • All vans are welcome! There is a judged van show, games and activities for both kids and adults, live music, seminars, vendors and more. The vanners will come in for up to a week and camp. Some just in their van, some with camp trailers and some in tents. 
  • July 18 – 22: Holy Toledo / Toledo, Yaquina River & Bay in Toledo, Oregon
    • The Holy Toledo! vanlife and overlanding rendezvous will be held on the Yaquina River & Bay in Toledo. A temporary village of nomads, overlanders, and van lifers in celebration of the Oregon Coast & Coast Seafare.
  • July 19 – 21: Urban Van Fest / Plumpton Racecourse Lewes East Sussex
    • Set in beautiful countryside of the South Downs, only 12 miles north of Brighton and within easy access to the A27 and A23. Urban Van Fest offers a relaxing and friendly Vanlife meetup event from the experienced van life converter to the curious, all are welcome. Come and join our weekend (3 days and 3 nights camping) with entertainment, live music, food stalls, a bar, craft/artesian market, trade stalls, van exhibits, children’s area, well-being area information and more. We look forward to welcoming you, whether you are solo or a family, a couple or a group of friends!

July 2025

  • No July events to list yet! Stay tuned.

August 2024

  • August 1 – 8: Southern Oregon Coast Hangout / Brookings, OR
    • We’ve nicknamed the Hangout “elements of Oregon,” for the stunning views everywhere you look. Stretching from the border with California to the iconic Bandon Beach, this region boasts a coastline marked by dramatic sea stacks, pristine sandy shores, enchanting tide pools, and coastal redwood forests. Brookings will be our haven for seven days of outdoor adventurers, with opportunities for hiking, kayaking, fishing, and exploring the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor’s stunning cliffs and hidden coves. You’ll have a unique experience walking the beach labyrinth of Circles in the Sand in Bandon. You’ll explore quaint coastal towns like Brookings and Gold Beach, each offering unique charm, fresh seafood, and welcoming communities.
  • August 23 – 25: Overland Expo Mountain West / Loveland, CO
    • Overland Expo® is the premier overlanding event series in the world—no other event offers the scope of classes taught by the world’s leading experts alongside a professional-level trade show that brings together all the camping and vehicle and motorcycle equipment and services you need to Get Outfitted. Get Trained. Get Inspired. Get Going.
    • Instagram: @overlandexpo
  • August 25 – 27: Descend on Bend / Bend, OR
    • Descend on Bend needs no overview. Some would argue this is the ultimate van life gathering. Just be there.
    • Instagram: @descendonbend

August 2025

  • August 22 – 24: Overland Expo Mountain West / Loveland, CO
    • Overland Expo is the premier overlanding event series in the world—no other event offers the scope of classes taught by the world’s leading experts alongside a professional-level trade show that brings together all the camping and vehicle and motorcycle equipment and services you need to Get Outfitted. Get Trained. Get Inspired. Get Going.
  • TBD: Descend on Bend / Bend, OR
    • Our primary goal is to encourage people to get out and camp. We provide a space for individuals to set aside their worries and enjoy humans, being.

September 2024

  • September 13 – 15: Overland of America Expo / Jay, Oklahoma at MidAmerica Outdoors
    • Overland of America proudly presents a brand new, one-of-a-kind, family-friendly overland event in Jay, Oklahoma. This new event will be held at MidAmerica Outdoors on September 13-15, 2024 and is designed for overlanding enthusiasts of all ages to come together and experience the overlanding lifestyle. Get ready for an incredible weekend full of community, adventure and family fun! See you there!
  • September 19 – 22: Vanquinox / Grandjean, Idaho
    • Intimate gathering in the Sawtooth Mountains surrounded by pristine rivers, natural hot springs, alpine lakes, geothermal swimming pool, live music, and good times.
  • September 28 – 29: Chattanooga OverVanding Expo / Chattanooga, Tennessee
    • 1st Annual Chattanooga gathering that will be setup to showcase all things the East Coast has to offer – Adventure Van, OverLand Vehicle, Boats, Camping and more. Want to step inside builds and check out expert van conversions? Do you have a van and you’re looking for a builder? Or maybe you’re looking for the leading edge products in overlanding for your next DIY project. Join our community of vendors ready to talk all about vanlife and the overlanding world.
  • September Dates TBD: VanFest NE Region / NE Region
    • We’re planning the largest gathering of nomads that New England has ever seen, and we need your help! Sign up below for info on how you can make Vanfest New England a legendary experience.
  • September Dates TBD: Northwest Nomads / La Pine, Oregon
    • A jam packed camp-out full of live music, informative workshops, raffles, community pot lucks and a ton MORE! Created to make a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Inspired by the unforgettable community of nomads we’ve met throughout our travels.

September 2025

  • September 12 – 14: Overland of America Expo / Jay, Oklahoma at MidAmerica Outdoors
    • Overland of America proudly presents a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly overland event in Jay, Oklahoma. This event is designed for overlanding enthusiasts of all ages to come together and experience the overlanding lifestyle. Get ready for an incredible weekend full of community, adventure and family fun! See you there!
  • TBD: Chattanooga OverVanding Expo / Chattanooga, Tennessee
    • Set up to showcase all things the East Coast has to offer – Adventure Van, OverLand Vehicle, Boats, Camping and more. Want to step inside builds and check out expert van conversions? Do you have a van and you’re looking for a builder? Or maybe you’re looking for the leading edge products in overlanding for your next DIY project. Join our community of vendors ready to talk all about vanlife and the overlanding world.
  • TBD: VanFest NE Region / NE Region
    • We’re planning the largest gathering of nomads that New England has ever seen, and we need your help! Sign up for info on how you can make Vanfest New England a legendary experience.
  • TBD: Northwest Nomads / Fort Rock, Oregon
    • A jam packed camp-out full of live music, informative workshops, raffles, community pot lucks and a ton MORE! Created to make a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Inspired by the unforgettable community of nomads we’ve met throughout our travels.

October 2024

  • October 3 – 6: The Pilgrimage / South Royalton, VT
    • The Pilgrimage is one of the largest gatherings of like-minded off-road and overland enthusiasts in the Northeast. Our participants come from all over the US and drive all sorts of vehicles ranging from Brand New Defenders to early American 4x4s.
    • Instagram: @thepilgrimage.vt 
  • October 4 – 6: Overland Expo East / Arrington, VA
    • No other event features a gathering of so many overland legends, authors, and experts. Overland Expo EAST offers more than 300 session-hours of incredible programs—that’s 150+ different classes, slideshows, demonstrations, and activities—brought to you by 100+ instructors and presenters from around the world.
    • Instagram: @overlandexpo
  • October 10 – 14: Moonlanding III: To See You Dance Again / Pinehill, New Mexico
    • The Moonlanding III vanlife and overlanding gathering will be held at Sky View Park & Campground in New Mexico on October 11th-14th in Sky View.
  • October 25 – 26: Vanlife Collective Fall Campout / The Quarry, near Hood River, OR (45.423309, -121.430493)
    • Bring your warm gear and be ready to be self-sufficient. We’ll have a grill and movie night, but be sure to manage your own waste. There’s a campsite with pit toilets a short bike ride away, but not right next to us. 
  • October 25 – 28: C.H.A.S.M. Fest ’24 / Lake Havasu, AZ
    • Camping. Health. Arts. Sports. Music. The destination gathering for the active, creative, and adventurous. Join us to explore camping, health, arts, sports, and music together! There’s something for everyone! And everyone is welcome! However you travel, bring your van, overlander, skoolie, RV, or tent for a Halloween weekend like no other. We’ve crafted a full schedule of activities to engage your mind, body, and soul. 
  • October Dates TBD: VanFest Utah / Utah
    • Vanfest is back – again – in UT! Who can blame us? It’s a mind-blowing backdrop to the ultimate vanlife experience.Join the list to be the first to know once we have all the details!

October 2025

  • October 2 – 5: The Pilgrimage / South Royalton, VT
    • The Pilgrimage is one of the largest gatherings of like-minded off-road and overland enthusiasts in the Northeast. Our participants come from all over the US and drive all sorts of vehicles ranging from Brand New Defenders to early American 4x4s.
  • October 3 – 5: Overland Expo East / Arrington, VA
    • No other event features a gathering of so many overland legends, authors, and experts. Overland Expo EAST offers more than 300 session-hours of incredible programs—that’s 150+ different classes, slideshows, demonstrations, and activities—brought to you by 100+ instructors and presenters from around the world.
  • TBD: Moonlanding IV: To See You Dance Again / Pinehill, New Mexico
  • TBD: VanFest SW / SW Region
    • Halloween is gonna be LIT this year for the vanlife community! Don’t miss out on one of the biggest nomadic Halloween get-togethers. 

November 2024

  • No November events to list yet! Stay tuned.

December 2024

  • No December events to list yet! Stay tuned.

November 2025

  • No November events to list yet! Stay tuned.

December 2025

  • No December events to list yet! Stay tuned.

KNOW OF AN UPCOMING EVENT?

3 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Van Life Event

How do you choose which van life event or gathering is suitable for you with so many options? There are many things to consider, but here are a few of the top things we consider when making plans to attend a van life event:

Are you building your van?

If you are planning on your build-out or are in the process of building a van yourself, you may want to go to a van life event that showcases finished builds and allows for you to speak to the builders.

Are you promoting a business?

Do you have a business that you think can benefit the van life community? You’ll probably want to attend a more formal event with space for vendors. Sometimes you can get into events for free by showcasing your van or volunteering for the event.

Looking to make like-minded friends?

You’re probably more likely to make great connections at a casual gathering than a formal expo. Frequently people host tiny van life gatherings that don’t require permitting just to get to know more people like them. This is where social media comes in great for ad-hoc impromptu gatherings. Van life festivals are also typically more relaxed and celebratory than formal events.

No Van? No Problem! Rent a Van to Attend Your Next Van Life Event!

Most van life events allow anyone to join in, regardless of your mode to get there. The only ask is to be kind and respectful, and leave no trace. But if you want to experience an event in a van and you don’t have one yet, you can simply rent one! Take a look at our extensive nationwide directory to find the perfect van rental for your van life event!

5 Steps to Finding Your Van Rental

Our directory quickly filters van rental companies by region, state, and/or vehicle model. We have personally connected with each company and thoroughly vetted their offerings to ensure that what you see is what you get.

If you’re looking to find a van to rent, follow these five easy steps:

1. Click here to find rental companies near you

2. Select the region from the drop-down menu on the left

3. Select your preferred van type from the drop-down menu to the right

4. Cruise through van rental company listings

5. Click on the title of a van rental company to view their profile OR click “go to “website” to head directly to their site

It’s that simple. Now all that’s left is for you to share where you’re going! Drop us a comment below with what van life events you are going to! Did we miss one? Contact us, and we’ll be happy to add it to our listing.

Hosting a Van Life Event, Gathering, or Festival in 2025? Let us know so we can help get the word out!

We know van life events take quite a bit of planning ahead of time. If you’re hosting a future gathering, odds are you have your dates locked in. Send us the details and we’ll get it added to our upcoming yearly calendars (no matter how early in advance!) 

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT

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ABOUT US

At Explore VanX™ we live what we do. We’re a group of outdoor enthusiasts, overlanders and vanlifers with a goal of helping people find their outside. Through our marketplace and directory, we’re working to connect businesses to people within the nomadic community, creating an open platform to support vehicle-based lifestyles, camping and adventures.

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