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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 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

January 2026

  • January 8 – 12: 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 10 – 18: Xscapers Annual Bash 2026 / Lake Havasu City, AZ
    • Xscapers Annual Bash is what happens when a bunch of working-aged RVers decide that life on the road deserves its own wild, weird, one-of-a-kind party. Launched in 2016 with a handful of rigs and a whole lot of enthusiasm, Bash has grown into an epic week-long desert takeover — packed with live music, theme nights, outrageous games, daytime seminars, and enough community energy to power a fleet of solar rigs.
  • January 17 – 27: Q24 YouTube RV Rally / Quartzsite, AZ
    • Set in the La Posa South BLM LTVA, come camping in the desert with friends old and new. Events throughout the week will be hosted by attendees, and the camaraderie around the campfire each evening will last a lifetime. 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. See you in the Q!

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.

February 2026

  • February 5 – 9: VanFest: LIFTOFF! / Melbourne, FL
    • VanFest: LIFTOFF! is the largest community-focused nomadic celebration in Florida! Blast off with us for a weekend-long, space-themed celebration of vanlife like no other. Hundreds of vans, buses, box trucks and beyond will gather for live music, outrageous games, creative workshops, and unforgettable nights under the stars.
  • February 6 – 9: 5th Annual Arizona Ironwood Forest Meet Up / Marana, AZ
    • Primitive dispersed boondocking camping at Ironwood Forest National Monument BLM for RVs, vans, truck campers, teardrops, skoolies, box trucks, cars, and travel trailers!
  • February 10 – 16: Winter Blast Hangout / Lake Havasu City, AZ
    • Get ready for an adventure next Valentine’s and President’s Day Weekend! This Hangout will take place during the Western Winter Blast in Lake Havasu City, where we’ll dry camp at the Lake Havasu Rodeo Grounds, so you can enjoy views of spectacular fireworks right from your RV! This six-night Hangout embraces a pyrotechnics extravaganza as well as several outdoor activities in the Lake Havasu City area. We’ll challenge you to a scavenger hunt, a walking tour of the iconic London Bridge, and a scenic paddle-wheeler cruise around Thompson Bay Island.
  • February 11 – 15: Truck Camper Adventure Quartzsite Rally / Quartzsite, AZ
    • An educational event with an emphasis on safety and responsible use of public land, the itinerary will consist of workshops and classes, food, music, a truck camper open house, contests, and a huge Saturday evening raffle supported by dozens of sponsors. 
  • February 20 – March 2: 9th 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!
  • February 27 – March 1: Southeast Adventure Vehicle Expo / Starke, FL
    • The biggest overlanding expo in the southeast  brings together adventure enthusiasts, outdoor gear manufacturers, and industry experts for a weekend of excitement and inspiration. In addition to the impressive vehicle displays, attendees can participate in hands-on workshops and attend informative talks on overlanding, off-road driving techniques, and outdoor survival skills.

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: 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!

March 2026

  • March 5 – 8: Overland South / Charleston, SC
    • A biannual weekend camping event for overlanding enthusiasts. Bring your camper, RV, roof-top tent, converted van, refurbished school bus, stealth camper, motorcycle tent, or whatever. Don’t own a fancy rig? No sweat, bring a tent and join the fun! With several lakes and over 30 miles of dirt roads and trails, this massive property is ours to explore. Plans include a Serpetarium demonstration, glow in the dark disc golf, a blacksmith metal forging demonstration, offroading workshops, and live music.
  • March 6 – 9: Peace Love & Vans Florida / Dade City, FL
    • Great vibes. Sweet rides. Epic community. Whether you’re a vanlifer or just vanlife curious, you don’t want to miss Peace Love & Vans. Imagine a fun-filled weekend with hundreds of rad vans, community connections, music, tours, contests, raffles, industry exhibitors and frozen Piña Coladas! Best of all, this isn’t in a dusty or asphalt parking lot somewhere, all our festivals are held at beautiful natural sites with plenty of outdoor activities nearby.

April 2026

  • Dates TBD: Van Jam Campout / Jacumba, California
    • The campout is a unique blend of wellness retreat, nomadic gathering, and music festival.
  • April 17 – 18: Moore Overland Off-Road Expo / Springfield, MO
    • The Midwest’s premier event for adventure travel enthusiasts, hosting vendors from overland camping, adventure motorcycling, and off-road vehicle sectors. This action-packed expo offers educational seminars, industry expert interactions, and an impressive display of gear and accessories from over 200 global exhibitors.
  • April 18 – 19: Tiny Fest California / Costa Mesa, CA
    • Come and meet tiny home builders and van conversion specialists, talk with homeowners who have “gone tiny” and enjoy the expert speaker presentations, vendor interactions, live music, entertainment, and awesome vibe at TinyFest!

May 2025

  • May 10 – 11: Adventure Van Expo / Ventura, CA
    • Open house vans, DIY contest, live music, food trucks and camping! Come join us for a family-friendly weekend open to all ages celebrating the van life community and the opportunity to view over 60 van vendors.
  • 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.
  • May 22 – 26: Mountainfilm / Telluride, CO
    • A documentary film festival and adventure gathering focused on adventure and celebrating indomitable spirit. Our mission is to use film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world.

May 2026

  • May 9 – 10: Adventure Van Expo / Ventura, CA
    • Open house vans, DIY contest, live music, food trucks and camping! Come join us for a family-friendly weekend open to all ages celebrating the van life community and the opportunity to view over 60 van vendors.
  • May 15 – 17: 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.
  • May 22 – 26: Mountainfilm / Telluride, CO
    • Using the power of film, art and ideas, Mountainfilm inspires audiences to create a better world. The Mountainfilm festival brings together a community of filmmakers and change makers, showcasing documentary films that celebrate adventure, activism, social justice, environment and indomitable spirit. There are local camping options for vanlifers.

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 21 – 22: Adventure Van Expo / Hood River, OR
    • The show will showcase meticulously crafted 4×4 rigs, along with an array of accessories and more. Engage with the builders, connect with fellow van lifers, and admire the diverse workmanship on display. Vendors will be onsite offering a range of accessories for your van or rig. Don’t miss the chance to attend presentations from experts, delving into topics such as gear, tools, and the intricacies of solar usage.
  • 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.

June 2026

  • Dates TBD: 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 12 – 15: Peace Love & Vans Colorado / Rye, CO
    • Great vibes. Sweet rides. Epic community. Whether you’re a vanlifer or just vanlife curious, you don’t want to miss Peace Love & Vans. Imagine a fun-filled weekend with hundreds of rad vans, community connections, music, tours, contests, raffles, industry exhibitors and frozen Piña Coladas! Best of all, this isn’t in a dusty or asphalt parking lot somewhere, all our festivals are held at beautiful natural sites with plenty of outdoor activities nearby.
  • June 14 – 19: Escapade 2026 / Fryeburg, ME
    • Escapade is all about connection, community and good times. Think live music under the stars, food trucks serving up local flavors, hands-on workshops, games and gatherings with folks who just get the RV lifestyle. Whether you RV full-time, part-time or are just starting out, you’ll find your people at Escapade.
  • June 21 – 22: Adventure Van Expo / Hood River, OR
    • The show will showcase meticulously crafted 4×4 rigs, along with an array of accessories and more. Engage with the builders, connect with fellow van lifers, and admire the diverse workmanship on display. Vendors will be onsite offering a range of accessories for your van or rig. Don’t miss the chance to attend presentations from experts, delving into topics such as gear, tools, and the intricacies of solar usage.
  • June 26 – 28: 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 2025

  • July 18 – 21: Vanstock / Palmer, AK
    • An event to connect Alaskans and unite the nomad community in the last frontier. Start planning your trip up north to experience Alaska’s first van life gathering and traveler’s festival.
  • July 26 – 27: Adventure Van Expo / Evergreen, CO
    • Open house vans, DIY contest, live music, food trucks and camping! Join us for a family-friendly weekend open to all ages celebrating the van life community and the opportunity to view over 50 van vendors.

July 2026

  • July 17 – 20: Vanstock / Palmer, AK
    • An event to connect Alaskans and unite the nomad community in the last frontier. Learn about making tiny living sustainable and enjoy live music, workshops, and seminars. 
  • July 22 – 26: Adventure Van Expo / Evergreen, CO
    • Open house vans, DIY contest, live music, food trucks and camping! Join us for a family-friendly weekend open to all ages celebrating the van life community and the opportunity to view over 50 van vendors.

August 2025

  • August 16 – 17: Adventure Van Expo / Bozeman, MT
    • Open house vans, DIY contest, live music, food trucks and camping. Come check out custom builds, check out some #vanlife stuff, see old friends and meet new ones. BUT IT’S NOT JUST VANS! We will have 4×4 trucks with roof top tents, campers, and tent trailer systems as well. Vendors will be selling related items.
  • August 21 – 25: VanFest: Escape to the Cape / East Falmouth, MA
    • This event will gather hundreds of converted vans, buses, and everything in-between coming together for music, games, learning, and memories. This long-weekend event is part festival, part expo, and ALL focused around showcasing and celebrating the amazing vanlife/nomadic community.
  • 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.

August 2026

  • August 15 – 16: Adventure Van Expo / Bozeman, MT
    • Open house vans, DIY contest, live music, food trucks and camping. Come check out custom builds, check out some #vanlife stuff, see old friends and meet new ones. BUT IT’S NOT JUST VANS! We will have 4×4 trucks with roof top tents, campers, and tent trailer systems as well. Vendors will be selling related items.
  • Dates TBD: VanFest: Escape to the Cape / East Falmouth, MA
    • This event will gather hundreds of converted vans, buses, and everything in-between coming together for music, games, learning, and memories. This long-weekend event is part festival, part expo, and ALL focused around showcasing and celebrating the amazing vanlife/nomadic community.
  • August 21 – 23: 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.
  • August 22 – 23: Adventure Van Expo / Enumclaw, WA
    • The show will feature built-out Mercedes Sprinters (mostly) 4×4 rigs, accessories, and more. Come out and meet the builders, network with vanlifers, check out all kinds of cool workmanship and things maybe you’ve never seen, learn something new. Vendors will be set up with accessories to buy for your van or rig. There will be talks on topics like solar.

September 2025

  • September 6 – 7: Adventure Van Expo / Enumclaw, WA
    • The show will feature built-out Mercedes Sprinters (mostly) 4×4 rigs, accessories, and more. Come out and meet the builders, network with vanlifers, check out all kinds of cool workmanship and things maybe you’ve never seen, learn something new. Vendors will be set up with accessories to buy for your van or rig. There will be talks on topics like solar.
  • 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!
  • September 18 – 22: 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.
  • September 20 – 21: Adventure Van Expo / North Lake Tahoe, CA
    • The show will feature built-out Mercedes Sprinters (mostly) 4×4 rigs, accessories, and more. Come out and meet the builders, network with van lifers, check out all kinds of cool workmanship and maybe learn something new. Vendors will be set up with accessories to buy for your van or rig, and there will be presentations from experts on gear and tools (like how to use solar!).

September 2026

  • Dates TBD: Overland of America Expo / Jay, Oklahoma 
    • Overland of America proudly presents a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly overland event 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!
  • Dates 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.
  • September 12 – 13: Adventure Van Expo / North Lake Tahoe, CA
    • The show will feature built-out Mercedes Sprinters (mostly) 4×4 rigs, accessories, and more. Come out and meet the builders, network with van lifers, check out all kinds of cool workmanship and maybe learn something new. Vendors will be set up with accessories to buy for your van or rig, and there will be presentations from experts on gear and tools (like how to use solar!).
  • September 30 – October 4: 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 2025

  • 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.
  • October 4 – 5: Adventure Van Expo / San Juan Capistrano, CA
    • Check out open house vans, an exciting DIY contest, live music, food trucks, and the option to camp amid stunning local scenery. Celebrate the close-knit van life community with over 50 vendors showcasing their unique builds. Explore and shop for van-related essentials from roof racks to 4×4 recovery gear.

October 2026

  • Dates TBD: 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.
  • October 3 – 4: Adventure Van Expo / San Juan Capistrano, CA
    • Check out open house vans, an exciting DIY contest, live music, food trucks, and the option to camp amid stunning local scenery. Celebrate the close-knit van life community with over 50 vendors showcasing their unique builds. Explore and shop for van-related essentials from roof racks to 4×4 recovery gear.

November 2025

  • November 7 – 9: Overland South / Charleston, SC

    • Welcome to Overland South, a biannual weekend camping event for overlanding enthusiasts at the private, 6,000 acre Woodlands Nature Reserve. Bring your camper, RV, roof-top tent, converted van, refurbished school bus, stealth camper, motorcycle tent, or whatever. Don’t own a fancy rig? No sweat, bring a tent and join the fun! With several lakes and over 30 miles of dirt roads and trails, this massive property is ours to explore. Planned daytime sessions include a sheepdog herding demonstration, laser skeet shooting, a blacksmith metal forging demonstration, off-roading workshops, and more. For evening entertainment, this year we are planning our second annual overlanding short film festival.

December 2025

  • No December events to list yet! Stay tuned.

November 2026

  • No November events to list yet! Stay tuned.

December 2026

  • 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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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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