There is no better time to put new lifestyle choices to the test than the beginning of a fresh, new year. Whether your intentions are to eat cleaner, be kinder or test your self-discipline, going vegan in January is a great way to ring in 2026, though that discipline may become an ill-set intention when you see all the tempting options the creators of STL Vegan Market will be bringing to light this Veganuary.
That’s right: The originally British annual challenge has made its way across the pond to our humble Midwestern metropolis, and the creators of the popular STL Vegan Market (Project Animal Freedom) are spearheading the campaign.
Although the beloved evening market located in Forest Park Avenue’s Acre Park is closed for the colder seasons, Project Animal Freedom has continued to lead local events to spread awareness to the vegan lifestyle.
December festivities included a cooking class hosted by local drag artist Maxi Glamour, and the new year was rung in with an ice cream social at St. Louis’ beloved Clementine’s Ice Cream. In celebration of Veganuary, Clementine’s even released an expansive lineup of dairy-free flavors, with more coming soon. Feeling the FOMO? Not to worry, Veganuary has only just begun. And make sure you don’t miss our recent roundup of seven iconic St. Louis restaurants with plenty of vegan options.
Vegan Meetup at Seedz Cafe
On Tuesday, Jan. 13, Project Animal Freedom will be celebrating Seedz Café – the longest operating vegan restaurant in St. Louis – with a meetup hosted from 5-7:30 p.m. A plant-based bowl of their famous chili mac topped with a cashew-based Parmesan can be enjoyed in the company of like-minded individuals from across the local community. Their equally famous Reuben can be enjoyed either in its original tempeh-bacon form or in the newer portobello mushroom-based version. Both are served on rye with house-made Thousand Island dressing.
6344 S. Rosebury Ave., St. Louis, 314.925.8431, seedzcafe.com
Vegan Ice Cream Social at Bombay Food Junkies
Another pillar of the local vegan community – Bombay Food Junkies in Creve Coeur – will host an ice cream social on Sunday, Jan. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. Their iconic house-made soft serve attracted over 200 visitors to their National Ice Cream day social, and it is not to be missed. The sweet, cold treat can be enjoyed as a milkshake or topped with a wide selection of plant-based toppings available specially for the occasion.
12955 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, 314.626.8166, bombayfoodjunkies.com
Vegan Taco Party at Terror Tacos
On Wednesday, Jan. 21, Terror Tacos will host a vegan taco party from 6-8 p.m. Locals can enjoy 100% vegan burritos, nachos and more while connecting with “vegan and vegan-curious folks.” And do not forget the tacos. Any five tacos or “gore-ditas” can be mixed and matched for a 10% discount, so try not to get paralyzed by the unusual abundance of vegan options.
3191 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.260.9996, terrortacos.com
Online Events and More
In addition to in-person events, Project Animal Freedom will offer free vegan lifestyle courses each Thursday from 7-9 p.m. via Zoom. Topics include meal prep, vegan restaurants within the community, and local activism.
For those unable to attend or who want to do some extra-curricular research, Project Animal Freedom has also created a free Veganuary starter pack featuring information on meal planning and budgeting, plant protein, and more.
You can RSVP to any in-person or online events by visiting veganstl.com/events and download the free St. Louis Veganuary guide at veganstl.com/veganuary. So far, 370 locals have signed up to receive the guide and take part in the challenge.
It is not too late to join them and Executive Director of Project Animal Freedom, Kyle Luzynski, asserts that “anyone and everyone who wants to try healthy, sustainable, compassionate living – anyone and everyone who wants to explore plant-based living,” are welcome.
Events will take place all throughout the month of January and of course, the rest of the year. Luzynski has even expressed interest in moving STL Vegan Market to an indoor venue during the colder months, so stay tuned to veganstl.com or stlveganmarket.com for updates and upcoming events.