Introduction
Busfest 2025 in Malvern felt different from the start. Since its beginnings as Vanfest in 1994, the show has grown into the world’s largest VW Transporter festival. This year, however, carried extra meaning — it was the final Busfest with its long-standing organiser. The weekend became both a celebration and a farewell, a chance for the community to honour what the event had meant for more than 30 years.
Arriving at the Showground
Held at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire (WR13 6NW), Busfest had once again filled its huge site with rows of VWs, bustling stalls, and camping zones stretching out beneath the Malvern Hills.
This year also marked a shift in focus: Busfest had continued its sustainability efforts, banning single-use and non-recyclable plastics and encouraging recycling with separate waste bags for all campers.
What Was On at Busfest 2025
The weekend offered a packed programme:
Live & Daytime Entertainment
- Live bands played across the evenings.
- Show & Shine displayed the very best restored and custom VW Transporters.
- Dedicated areas like the Syncro Zone and live VDubRADIO broadcasts kept energy high.
- Aerial displays added to the wow factor.
Trade, Shopping & Auctions
- The Trade Village featured more than 250 stalls.
- Autojumble, vehicle sales, and the Charity Auction gave buyers and sellers plenty to explore.
- Extras like the Pamper Zone, Man Cave, and Farmers’ Market offered something for everyone.
Family Fun & Community Vibes
- The FunZone and children’s activities kept younger visitors entertained.
- Walkabout entertainers and competitions gave the show its festive buzz.
Highlights of the Weekend
The real highlight of Busfest 2025 wasn’t just the vans or the entertainment — it was the community. Enthusiasts came from across the UK and Europe, bringing everything from pristine split-screens to modern T-series conversions. Everywhere we walked, people were swapping stories, sharing advice, and celebrating the VW lifestyle together.
And of course, the fact that this was the final Busfest with its organiser gave the weekend an emotional edge. It truly felt like the end of a chapter in VW festival history.
Reflections on the End of an Era
Looking back, Busfest had been more than just a festival. Since 1994, it had grown into a gathering that shaped the VW scene in the UK and beyond. Busfest 2025 reminded us why it mattered so much: not only for the vans, but for the friendships, the music, the market stalls, and the memories.
As the organiser stepped down, the community celebrated everything the event had stood for. The atmosphere was nostalgic but hopeful — proof that VW culture remains strong, whatever the future of the festival holds.
Know Before You Go next time
- Camping plots were around 7m x 7m, with options for families and clubs.
- Facilities included toilets, showers (with disabled access), and Elsan points across the site.
- Generators were not allowed, and open fires were banned (raised BBQs only).
- Essentials were available on-site, from food and drinks to a site shop and cash machines.
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Final Thoughts
Busfest 2025 was more than just another VW show. It was a celebration of three decades of passion, community, and culture that brought together vanlifers and enthusiasts from around the world.
It may have been the last Busfest under its original organiser, but it proved once again why VW events like this hold such a special place in our hearts.
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👉 Watch our full video from Busfest 2025 here: LINK
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