Mattel has teamed up with Mischief Management to create the first festival dedicated to all things Barbie — Barbie Dream Fest. Designed for fans of all ages, the multi-day event will debut in March 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Each year, Barbie devotees from around the world gather at the National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention to celebrate the cultural impact and enduring legacy of the brand. The new Barbie Dream Fest fan event will build on this, with an experience geared toward families and pop culture enthusiasts. Dream Fest will include themed play zones, collector showcases, conversations with inspiring women from a range of fields, interactive activations and exclusive programming with creators, innovators and Barbie experts.
“We are thrilled to announce Barbie Dream Fest, as a new offering designed to delight the brand’s growing fandom,” said Julie Freeland, VP of Global Location-Based Entertainment at Mattel in a statement. “It’s incredibly exciting to provide fans, families and collectors with a curated and unique space to gather, learn and create all while celebrating the iconic Barbie brand.”
Greta Gerwig’s 2023 blockbuster Barbie catapulted the flagging doll brand back into the realm of cultural relevance, sparking a host of aesthetic trends, memes and brand love among children and adults alike. With a new animated film in the works, Barbie Dream Fest might just be the interlude needed to keep the brand’s current momentum alive until its next big-screen boost.
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