There are events in Second Life—and then there are moments.
RelayStock is very much the latter.
Part music festival, part fundraiser, and entirely a celebration of community, RelayStock has become one of the most beloved traditions within the Second Life Relay season. For 13 years now this event, inspired by the legendary 1969 Woodstock festival, has brought together avatars from across the grid for a weekend defined by three simple ideals: peace, love, and hope.
A Festival with a Purpose
At its core, RelayStock is a fundraising event supporting the American Cancer Society through the broader Relay For Life of Second Life initiative. Since its inception, Relay For Life in Second Life has raised millions of dollars to support cancer research, patient services, and global outreach efforts.
RelayStock contributes to that mission in a uniquely immersive way—turning charity into a shared cultural experience.
Rather than a single track walk, as seen in traditional Relay events, RelayStock transforms the event into a living festival ground. Donations flow through vendor sales, kiosks, competitions, and events, all wrapped in a celebratory atmosphere that feels more like a summer concert than a fundraiser.
The Spirit of Woodstock, Reimagined
RelayStock is unmistakably styled after Woodstock—complete with:
- Tie-dye tents and retro festival camps
- Vintage vans and bohemian décor
- Team flags flying proudly above each campsite
- A central stage pulsing with music
- Cool fundraisers like “Bid The Lindens Bald”
- A collection of all 13 years of “RelayStock” posters which you can purchase for your own collection.
Relay teams from across Second Life gather in a shared space, each creating their own “camp” filled with fundraising vendors and themed builds. These camps become social hubs—places to meet, shop, and connect. It’s not unusual to see dozens of teams participating—more than 40 this year—each bringing their own flavor to the festival grounds.
The result is a patchwork of creativity, a living map of the grid’s diversity stitched together in one place.
Three Days of Music and Community
Music is the heartbeat of Relaystock.
Across an entire weekend, DJs and live performers take to the stage in rotating sets, representing clubs, communities, and Relay teams. The lineup spans genres and styles, but the energy remains constant: uplifting, communal, and deeply human.
Signature elements often include:
- DJ marathons with back-to-back performances
- Live music acts from all across the grid
- Dance crowds filling the stage area at all hours
- Themed parties and spontaneous gatherings
One standout tradition elevates the experience even further: the “Bid a Linden or Mole Bald” – a playful, high-stakes fundraising challenge involving Linden Lab participants and a willingness to sacrifice one’s virtual hair for a cause. You’ll find this near the main entrance to the event so be sure to go by and bid your favorite Linden or Mole bald for a cause!
[Event Poster Art by Arizona Ballinger-Whiplash]
RelayStock is equal parts spectacle and sincerity—joyful, a little chaotic, and always meaningful. The complete schedule is below, from the Relay Rockers website:
More Than an Event—A Culture
RelayStock isn’t just something you attend. It’s something you inhabit.
You wander from tent to tent or VW Bus to Bus
You discover new creators.
You dance with strangers who quickly become friends.
And somewhere in the background—sometimes subtle, sometimes front and center—is the reminder of why everyone is there.
Cancer touches nearly every life in some way. RelayStock transforms that shared reality into a collective act of defiance: a refusal to let hardship define the story.
A Special Thank You to the Relay Rockers
What makes RelayStock remarkable is not just its scale or its style—it’s the people behind it. Year after year, it is the passion, dedication, and sheer persistence of its volunteers that breathe life into the festival, and few groups embody that spirit more fully than the Relay Rockers. A cornerstone of Relay For Life in Second Life since 2005, the Relay Rockers have helped shape not only RelayStock itself, but the very culture of Relay across the grid. For all thirteen years of RelayStock’s run, they have stood as its driving force—organizing, sponsoring, and shepherding the event into the beloved institution it has become.
This year, however, marks the end of an era. After more than two decades of tireless service, the team has announced they will be stepping back from front-line team participation—an earned and well-deserved retirement by any measure. Yet, like the enduring Spirit of Relay itself, their story does not simply conclude here. Having known many of them personally, I can say with confidence that this is not goodbye, but rather a turning of the page. Their commitment, their creativity, and their heart for the cause will undoubtedly find new expressions in the years ahead, continuing to shape Relay in ways both seen and unseen. The theme for this year’s RelayStock is “The Last Dance” as we celebrate this historic event and the history of those who have made it what it is.
The Enduring Magic of RelayStock
In a virtual world often defined by escapism, RelayStock stands as proof that digital spaces can also foster real generosity, real connection, and real impact.
For three days, the grid slows down just enough to gather around a common cause. Music plays. Flags fly. Donations tick upward. And across it all, a quiet truth hums beneath the surface: We’re all in this together!
Even in a world made of pixels, hope is very real. RelayStock is a great example of this and one I’m looking forward to being a part of-plus I get to go barefoot for three days!!!
RelayStock begins on April 10th and runs through April 12th. I hope to see you all there!
Peace Out! ~ Arabella
Post Notes: RelayStock 2026: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RelayStock2026/127/33/23
RelayStock Website: https://relayrockers.org/relaystock/
Sponsored by:
Second Glances with Arabella 
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