Doll Fest: Inside the Femme-Powered Festival Becoming a Movement

What began as a single idea has quickly grown into something much larger. Doll Fest isn’t just a music festival, it’s a community, a statement, and a space intentionally built for those who have too often been pushed to the margins of the music world.

“Doll Fest started out as just an all-ages, all femme-fronted, all femme-owned and operated music festival,” says founder Maria. “The continued goal is for attendees to feel that they are in a welcoming, safe environment, one that nurtures the self and helps people make new friends.”

From its debut earlier this year, Doll Fest has evolved into what Maria describes as the Doll Fest Fam, a growing community grounded in connection, care, and shared values. “This is a place where people are free to be themselves in whatever stage of life they’re in,” she explains. “We need community more than ever.”

How Doll Fest Was Born

The idea for Doll Fest didn’t come out of thin air. It came from years of observation, and frustration.

“I kept seeing these artists preach about being pro-human rights, pro-women, pro-trans, anti-racism, anti-fascism, but their only visible contribution was words, not actions,” Maria says. “I wanted to actually do something about it.”

What started as one conversation quickly gained momentum. “I was connected with one person, then two, then three, and now there’s a group of us working on Doll Fest and other events alongside it.”

From Festival to Community

Doll Fest’s first edition took place in March of this year, a historic milestone. “There has never been a fully femme-owned and operated event with an all femme-fronted lineup,” Maria says. “The fact that we made the first one happen at all is something I’ll always be proud of.”

Since then, Doll Fest has expanded beyond a single weekend. The community continues to grow online, with smaller events helping keep that connection alive year-round. One of those moments came on November 1st with The Femmes Are Giving in San Francisco, a benefit show supporting Lyon-Martin Community Health Services.

“Walking into that full room felt like walking into a hug,” Maria recalls. “It was beyond magical.”

Building the Lineup, and the Vision

When it comes to booking artists, Doll Fest isn’t about clout or hierarchy. “Everyone blew my mind. Everyone brought it. No notes,” Maria laughs.

Looking ahead, her dream is simple, and radical. “I want Doll Fest to be fully submission-based one day,” she says. “Bands picked purely on how great they are, with attendees buying tickets regardless of who’s playing.”

While logistics may prevent a six-month-long festival for now, the intention remains clear: accessibility, openness, and opportunity.

The Mission, Lived Out Loud

Doll Fest’s mission is rooted in empowerment, resilience, and community, and it’s deeply personal. “We are femme-owned and operated, focusing on spotlighting marginalized groups and true action-based allies,” Maria says.

She doesn’t sugarcoat the reality that inspired Doll Fest’s creation. “I am the marginalized,” Maria shares. “I don’t get to move through the world without fear, whether it’s safety, money, or simply being taken seriously.”

That lived experience shapes the festival’s environment. “Doll Fest was created for people who just want a weekend where they don’t have to worry,” she says. “No peacocking. No judgment. Just being in a room that feels like a giant hug of friends you haven’t met yet.”

Challenges and Why Doll Fest Keeps Going

Producing an independent festival is never easy, and doing so with an unapologetically pro-marginalized mission brings added challenges. “I’ve heard more ‘no’s this year than last, especially from sponsors,” Maria admits. “But you don’t overcome that, you just keep going.”

What fuels that perseverance? The people. “When someone tells me how excited they are just to have this exist, that’s everything.”

What’s Next for Doll Fest

Doll Fest’s future is already taking shape. Volume II is on the way, and Volume III is set for March 7, 2026. Before that, the festival will make its international debut in Mexico City, featuring a powerful lineup of regional artists alongside U.S. legends like Alice Bag.

And music isn’t the only avenue. “We’re expanding into other forms of entertainment that bring community together,” Maria says. That includes an all-femme comedy showcase, scheduled for February 2026 in San Francisco.

Get Involved

Bands, volunteers, sponsors, and press are encouraged to connect.

Email: Maria@dollfest.net

Instagram: @dollfest

Doll Fest isn’t waiting for permission. It’s creating space, amplifying voices, and proving that community-driven change doesn’t just belong in conversations, it belongs onstage.

Keep riffing.

📸 All photo credit goes to Alan Snodgrass