June 2026 will mark the 23rd anniversary of Second Life opening to public access – and as we’ve all come to expect, the month will mark the start of several weeks of events and celebrations running into July under the umbrella of the Second Life Birthday (SLB) otherwise know for this year as SL23B.
On Friday, March 27th, Linden Lab officially announced the dates and theme of this year’s festivities and opened applications for those wishing to create and host an exhibition within the SL23B event regions, and those wishing to perform on the event’s various stages and venues.
Dates and Theme
This year the SLB festivities will open on Friday, June 18th, 2026 and will run through until Sunday, July 19th, 2026. The theme for 2026 is The Golden Age of Hollywood, which the Lab describes thus:
Think classic cinema, red carpets, vintage glamour, and the magic of the silver screen. While the theme may inspire many builds and performances, exhibits are not required to follow the theme. We encourage you to share what makes your Second Life experience meaningful. Your interests. Your communities. Your creativity.
However, as has been the case over the last several birthday events, exhibitions are not confined to the theme itself, with the Lab additionally noting:
Every year, we celebrate because of the incredible Residents who bring this world to life. The birthday celebrations are an opportunity to showcase what inspires you and what keeps you coming back.
Exhibitor Applications
As noted, exhibitor applications are now open. Key requirements for exhibitors are noted below – however, for the full list of requirements, please refer the the exhibitor application form, via the link following these notes:
- Applications will be accepted through until Monday, May 18th, 2026.
- There will be both General and Adult rated regions available to exhibitors.
- Exhibits do not have to be in keeping with the The Golden Age of Hollywood theme, as noted above.
- Exhibits must not be commercial in nature (e.g. no selling items, no tip jars or the solicitation of donations – this includes tip jars, etc., associated with any performers appearing within an exhibitor space), but gifts may be provided to SL23B visitors.
- Exhibits must not have any large, purchased elements in their entirety. Combining elements from several different sources is allowed as long as your final display at SL23B is a unique build created by you and/or your building assistants.
- Scripted agents (“bots”) are not allowed. Instead, use a welcome sign with a clickable giver script to offer up information or gift items. You may use a scripted mannequin if a representation of an avatar is needed.
- Exhibits to be presented within the General rated regions of the event must be in accordance with the General Maturity Rating (e.g. no nudity –artistic or otherwise–, no Adult animations and/or gestures, furniture, etc, must not contain Adult poses / animations, etc.).
- Adult exhibitions and content are restricted to the separate Adult rated event regions and must conform to the Second Life ToS and the Second Life Community Standards.
- Performances, live music and / or DJ events cannot be hosted within any exhibitor space before Sunday, June 28th, 2026.
Please note: All enquiries about hosting exhibitions at SL23B should be directed to Linden Lab, not this blog.
Performer Applications
Note: “performers” refers to: DJs, live musicians, singers, dance troupes, theatre groups, particle performers, lecturers, workshop hosts, and community storytellers, etc.
As noted above, performer applications are now open. Key requirements for performers are noted below – however, for the full list of requirements, please refer the the performer application form, via the link following these notes:
- Applications will be accepted through until Monday, May 18th, 2026.
- Submission of an application does not guarantee a performance slot.
- Maturity ratings and requirements:
- All performances with the G-rated estate regions must be in keeping with the Second Life General Maturity Rating (e.g. no nudity –artistic or otherwise–, no Adult animations and/or gestures, furniture, etc, must not contain Adult poses / animations, etc.).
- Performers applying for slot on the event stage within the Adult rated region will be permitted more explicit lyrics and adult attire.
- Set-up time, props and tip jars:
- All performances are limited to one hour (including set-up time).
- There is a 350 LI allowance for props and rezzable items for DJ and live music shows. A limited DJ set-up is allowed (e.g. spin table, speakers, small light emitters/effects) – but performers should not create set / backdrops that cover the entire stage.
- Dance troupes or other performing groups requiring purpose-built stages might be permitted up to 1000 LI, as deemed appropriate by the Mole Coordinators.
- Performers are asked to show up one hour in advance of their scheduled performance time in order to make sure everything is working and ready.
- If you are more than 30 minutes late, the stage crew will call in a replacement to keep the event running on time.
- DJs, live artists and people performing on the designated events stages are permitted to rez one low-prim tip jar. Donation kiosks are not allowed.
- All performers are required to provide their own audio stream for SL23B. Please ensure your stream is active and tested during your pre-show setup window to avoid delays or disruptions.
- The Second Life Voice feature will not be available on the stages. A limited number of performances at the auditorium stage will allow the voice feature if pre-planned.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 