Second Glances with Arabella

Each year, as the first snow begins to settle across the virtual world regions, a different kind of winter wonderland comes to life in Second Life. The 15th Annual Second Life Christmas Expo, one of the grid’s most beloved annual traditions, unfolds on November 28th, 2025, across multiple regions transformed into a festive landscape of twinkling lights, snowy footpaths, bustling marketplaces, and heartwarming community spirit. But this event is more than just a cheerful holiday fair—it’s a global movement of hope, creativity, and generosity. It’s also one I look forward to each year because of the joy, fellowship and spirit of giving for the holidays that permeates the hearts and minds of all who attend and those who put it together. This one is a little longer than usual but there’s so much to share and tell that a bit of extra ink was called for.

A Celebration With Purpose

Organized in support of the American Cancer Society and its mission to fight childhood cancer, the Christmas Expo stands as one of Second Life’s largest charity events. Vendors, creators, performers, breedable communities, and volunteers come together, donating time, talent, and proceeds to fund research, support families, and help brighten the lives of children facing some of their darkest days.

Every snow-covered shop and holiday kiosk tells part of that story. Many merchants craft exclusive items—available only during the Expo—so attendees can not only find something special for their homes, wardrobes, or winter landscapes, but also know their purchase directly contributes to a real-world cause. In a virtual world where creativity thrives, the generosity of its residents shines even brighter than the thousands of twinkling lights one will find as they travel the regions of the Expo.

Snowy Streets, Dazzling Experiences

The Expo is known for its immersive, multi-region design, capturing every shade of the holiday season—from whimsical North Pole villages to elegant winter promenades. Visitors can wander through sprawling merchant streets, explore interactive displays, ride sleighs or trains, or enjoy expertly landscaped parcels that feel like scenes lifted from a storybook.

But shopping is only part of the experience. Live music performances fill the air with carols and winter melodies, charity auctions draw crowds from across the grid, and appearances from Kriss Kringle, Mrs. Claus, and the elves delight residents of all ages. Moreover, the Lindens themselves, along with their Mole helpers, are very involved in the efforts of the Christmas Expo, even decorating one of the regions in a variety of Linden Homes, fully decked out for the holidays with festive lights, dancing animals and pretty much anything you can think of that tells the holiday story.

A Community Effort

One of the Expo’s greatest strengths is the way it unites people from countless communities across Second Life. Breedable creators collaborate on exclusive virtual pets, artists showcase winter collections, decorators transform event parcels, and bloggers craft features that amplify the Expo’s message. Volunteers ensure visitors have help at every turn, while entertainers donate their performances to keep the regions alive with energy. Volunteering is a HUGE part of the Christmas Expo, because it takes thousands of volunteer hours to pull this massive undertaking off and make it what it is and has become.

This gathering of talent and kindness feels uniquely Second Life—an expression of how virtual worlds can bring people together not only to celebrate, but also to make genuine, tangible differences beyond the grid.

Tradition, Hope, and the Magic of Presence

Though each year brings new themes, new creators, and new attractions, the heart of the Christmas Expo remains the same: a season of giving wrapped in creativity and community. For many residents, attending the Expo has become as much a holiday tradition as decorating their homes or exchanging gifts with friends. It is a reminder that even in a digital landscape, compassion has weight, and a single act of generosity can ripple outward in ways we may never fully see.

The Second Life Christmas Expo stands as proof that magic can be made anywhere—across worlds, across screens, and across the hearts of the people who gather to bring light into the darkness. As snow falls softly over the regions each December, the Expo invites everyone to step inside, explore, celebrate, and help create a season of hope that reaches far beyond the virtual. So what all happens at the Expo? I’m here to break it all down for you and tell you about what’s happening this year, what there is to do, and how you can experience this magical one-a-year festival of love, light, stories and song. Read on for more!

A Victorian Christmas Theme

The theme for this year is “Victorian Christmas”, and what better theme to highlight than the era from which many Christmas traditions sprang forth. Think Dickens and “A Christmas Carol” or the Gilded Age timeframe when electric lights were just coming into being. Choristers singing on street corners. Men in top hats and long coats, and women in festive long dresses and hats, promenading through the villages, peering in shop windows at the wares of merchants. It all can be found at this year’s Expo and you can experience it here!

The Light of Hope Home Decoration Contest

The Lights of Hope Christmas Lighting contest features some of Second Life’s brightest (pun intended) crafters, decorators and designers competing to light and decorate a Victorian-era home for the holidays. The Lights of Hope Region showcases twenty of these homes, along with a village and the Electric Reindeer venue, where DJ’s spin nightly tunes to entertain revelers visiting the region. Each home has kiosks in front where people can donate, thus “voting” for their favorite home, all of which goes towards the funds raised by the Expo. In addition, the Linden Lights of Hope contest is adjacent, where Lindens and Moles put on their own version of the contest. See what happens when the creative forces of Second Life have carte blanche to go all out with a display of lighting that would make Clark Griswold jealous!

The Holly Jolly Cafe and the Electric Reindeer Venues

Entertainment is a huge part of the Expo and frequent revelers will instantly recognize the two venues that draw people from all over the world to hear some of the best live entertainers and DJ’s the grid has to offer. The Holly Jolly Cafe, located in the Christmas Expo Region, is the main venue, featuring daily and evening entertainment from live performers known all over SL, who volunteer their time to raise funds from attendees. Some of these events can get quite competitive, with donations thrown in the kiosks sometimes matched by generous benefactors to help encourage giving. They are fun and everyone gets in the holiday spirit, encouraged by a crew of holly jolly stage hosts and event managers!

The Electric Reindeer is our DJ venue, located in the Lights of Hope Region. Here you can find musical sets hosted by well-known DJ’s who spin all kinds of festive holiday hits and a variety of other music for you to enjoy. If a fun party atmosphere and friendly are people are your thing, you’ll find it at the Electric Reindeer-and you’ll find me there too, as I’m one of the volunteer stage hosts this year! Look for me there and help us raise funds for childhood cancer research and a cure!

Winter Breedables,  Animals & Communities Faire

The Winter Breedables, Animals & Communities Faire is a major part of the SL Christmas Expo, focused on everything related to breedables, virtual pets, animal creators, and the communities that gather around them in Second Life. It’s designed to bring together breeders, designers, and enthusiasts who share a love for SL’s wide range of virtual creatures—from horses and cats to more whimsical or fantasy-inspired companions. Creators display their latest animals, special holiday editions, exclusive releases, and community favorites. Many offer limited-time items with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society.

You’ll often find one-of-a-kind breedables, rare traits, or unique collector’s editions auctioned for charity. These auctions are a huge draw and usually raise significant funds. Clubs, animal groups, and breedable communities host gatherings, chats, or themed events to celebrate the season and the cause.

Pictures with Santa, Santa Patch and More!

If you look hard, you’re sure to spot Santa and Mrs. Claus around the Expo and you can even have your picture made with them as they make their way to different photo spots around the Expo. Even rarer is the opportunity to have your photo made with the Lindens and Moles. This happens every year on a special day and the lines get looooong so keep an eye on schedules and get their early so you can meet Santa Patch and all the Lindens and Moles who come out of their mole holes to socialize and meet the Expo goers!

Merchants!

Merchants are truly at the heart of the SL Christmas Expo. Their role goes far beyond simply setting up a shop—it’s their creativity, generosity, and commitment to the cause that make the entire event possible. Here’s how they contribute!

• Fundraising Through Their Creations
Merchants provide specially marked donation items—sometimes exclusives or limited editions—with 100% (or a set percentage) of proceeds going directly to the American Cancer Society. Many go above and beyond, offering multiple donation vendors or creating unique pieces just for the Expo.

• Supporting the Expo’s Mission
By participating, merchants help drive the fundraising efforts that support the Society’s Childhood Cancer initiatives. Their contributions directly impact research, patient support, and programs that bring comfort and care to children and families.

• Enriching the Visitor Experience
The Expo’s festive atmosphere depends on the variety and quality of merchant stores. From winter décor and holiday fashion to homes, furniture, breedables, and gifts, merchants create the magical, immersive environment attendees look forward to every year.

• Inspiring Community Engagement
Their participation draws crowds, supports themed events, and encourages residents to explore, shop, and donate. Many merchants also promote the Expo within their own customer groups, giving the event a wider reach.

• Sustaining a Long-Standing Tradition
Over the past fourteen years, the dedication of merchants has helped raise more than $240,000 USD, making them essential partners in the Expo’s long-term success. This year is the 15th Annual Expo and we’re all looking forward to seeing how high we can raise that number this year!

Conclusion

If you love the holidays…if you love the Christmas season…and if you want to be a part of something that truly makes a difference in the life of a child who has been faced with the most difficult challenges that life can throw their way…then Christmas Expo is an event you won’t want to miss. It brings people together for all the things that make Second Life great…music, shopping, exploring, meeting people, dancing in the street, animals, pets, gifts and Christmas, all in support of a wonderful and meaningful cause.

I hope to see you at the Christmas Expo! It runs from November 28th through December 7th this year so you have lots of opportunities to visit! Say hi if you see me-I’ll be the one wearing antlers!

~ Arabella

Post Notes: Below are landmarks to various main sites at the Expo. These links will become active on or about November 28th. Store and merchandise sites are located all over the Expo. Have fun and support the cause!

Second Life Christmas Expo Website: https://slchristmasexpo.com

Main SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/CHRISTMAS%20EXPO/129/133/23

Lights of Hope and Electric Reindeer: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LIGHTS%20OF%20HOPE/130/130/26

Holly Jolly Cafe Main Stage: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/CHRISTMAS%20EXPO/60/128/23

Christmas Tree Lot: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society3/65/138/23

Breedables, Auctions and Pets: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society2/126/128/23