Introducing Monthly Event Themes
By Decentraland, , in Announcements
In the past, the Decentraland Foundation has organized multiple tentpole events each year, supporting Decentraland by driving new users to the platform and creating opportunities to empower creators. However, consistently organizing a multitude of large-scale events exceeds the Foundation's current capacity. The ultimate objective is to progressively decentralize these events, empowering the community to take the reins and assume greater ownership of platform-wide occasions with Foundation support.
The Foundation has already begun experimenting with this in 2023, having partners take ownership of some of Decentraland’s tentpole events. An example would be the Foundation’s collaboration with Polygonal Mind for Metaverse Pride and with the Vueltta Collective for Metaverse Art Week. Taking a further step in this direction, the Foundation is now announcing event themes for select months and a new key event strategy.
A new key event strategy
Kicking off with the 2023 Decentraland Music Festival, the Foundation is rolling out a fresh event strategy designed to make it easier for the community to get involved in the platfrom'd in pivotal events. The strategy focuses on an open call for creators, inviting them to bring their unique visions to life. Before each major event, the scene will be set with a theme and guidelines, followed by an application process open to all. Participants can secure funding to craft their experiences and showcase them on the event's festival grounds.
This new strategy not only empowers Decentraland creators, but also opens doors for them to shine during the platform's busiest periods. Moreover, the open call attracts new creators to Decentraland, setting them up for success and for future collaborations in the community.
Future Decentraland Events
September 2023: Design
Design Month in Decentraland is an opportunity to explore groundbreaking concepts where architecture, interior design, and visionary ideas seamlessly meld with virtual environments. Free from the physical limits of the real world, Decentraland is home to a wide range of spatial aesthetics, transforming the digital world into a boundless canvas of innovation and inspiration. Use this month to showcase your amazing work Decentraland builders!
Already planned events:
Architecture Biennale | September 21-24
Drawing inspiration from the esteemed Venice Biennale and Expo, the inaugural Metaverse Architecture Biennale will showcase a display of digital pavilions by meta-architects, creating a vast, virtual, expo-like space. 94 architects / practices applied to participate via an open call organized by Dearch Space, W3rlds, and Metancy. Exhibiting participants include HWKN, Killa Design, LAVA, PLP, ATRIUM, Soomeen Hahm, Spaces DAO, DA!, Il Prisma, SA lab, iheartblob, Mariana Cabugueira, and Illusorr.
Buildathon with Renovi | September 28 | Submissions open
Join the Renovi and Decentraland Buildathon where creativity knows no bounds. Renovi invites all aspiring artists, designers, and creators to participate in this exciting event. Use the power of the Decentraland Editor to craft captivating scenes and bring your imagination to Decentraland. Buildathon winners will receive amazing prizes from Decentraland and Vegas City. Renovi is a global platform and community for Metaverse architects and 3D designers. Follow them here for updates and Buildathon highlights.
October 2023: AI
AI tools are changing the way we create and have the ability to increase productivity, especially when building the metaverse. Decentraland has already integrated some new AI tools in Decentraland like Inworld’s AI NPCs and Blockade Games’ text to sky box tool which you can see many examples of from Decentraland’s recent Game Jam. This October in Decentraland will focus on AI, shining a spotlight on how A.I. and the metaverse will evolve in parallel. How will you observe the rise of AI in Decentraland this October?
Already planned events:
AI World Fair | October 25-27
The AI World Fair is a three-day event that will see experts exploring the ideas, issues, and opportunities around artificial intelligence. Teams and companies in this rapidly evolving industry will showcase their work, while users will experience new tools and features in a gamified ecosystem. The AI World Fair is produced by Web3 creative agency Verse Digital.
Highlights:
Set in the new Innovation City area of Decentraland, home to Sophia the Robot
Keynote and panel sessions featuring global experts in the field
Showcasing AI for metaverse products and practitioners
Learn & Earn initiative rewarding attendance and participation
Free airdrops and digital collectibles
AI-themed Halloween | October 27-31
Ready to get spooked? For this year's Halloween celebrations, get ready for a 5-day, procedurally generated, A.I. themed Quest produced by Dappcraft with a fresh collection of Halloween themed prizes. Enter at your own risk!
November 2023: Music
Starting this year, Decentraland will take point from the annual Metaverse Music Festival to turn November into an entire month dedicated to music, in line with the new monthly themes system. This extended celebration will provide an immersive platform for the community to curate and host music-related events. Throughout Music Month, we’re looking forward to seeing Decentraland transform into a hub of musical expression, with events spanning a diverse range of genres, performances, and experiences!
Already planned events:
Decentraland Music Festival ‘23 | November 16-18
The Decentraland Foundation is thrilled to announce the next chapter of Decentraland’s highly anticipated annual music event. Previously recognized as Metaverse Music Festival, the music festival is getting a fresh identity as Decentraland Music Fest to signify the Foundation’s dedication to supporting music in the Decentraland community. Brace yourselves for an unforgettable celebration of music and community with this highlight of Music Month!
Inspired by this year’s theme Rebirth & Regeneration, Decentraland Music Festival ‘23 embraces core values of radical self-expression, communal growth, and artistic renewal. It aims to foster a vibrant and inclusive community where artistic expression knows no limits, individuals can connect, collaborate and share love for music that unites us all. #DCLMF23 will comprise 5 stages curated by partners to bring amazing content to the DCL community.
Consider this an open call to all artists, stage managers, and creators! If you’re interested in being part of the official Decentraland Music Festival ‘23, sign up here.
December 2023: Holidays
The Holiday Season comes around every year and is a time to celebrate and come together whether you observe any holidays or even if it doesn’t snow where you live! Do you really need an excuse to enjoy twinkling lights and a fun snowball fight? Let us celebrate the passing of another year together.
Already planned events:
New Years Party | December 31
It has been a tradition in Decentraland since its launch back in 2020 to celebrate the end of the old and the coming of the New Year. The community has seen some epic parties over the years, including an exclusive set by RAC in 2020 and a huge celebration in Virtual Times Square in 2021. This year the community is in charge! Week in, week out, the community organizes countless awesome events, so this year, The Foundation has put out a tender, to the Verified Studios of Decentraland, with a brief to create a Party for us all to start the New Year with good vibes and great beats! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!
January 2024: Wellness
Around the world, people often use January as a time to reflect on their health. To help us all stick to our New Year resolutions, January will focus on health and wellness. Come and watch the eternal sunrise in a plaza dedicated to showcasing activities focused on the well being of mind, body and spirit. Let us come together for yoga sessions, meditation circles, diet support groups—the sky's the limit and the plans are in your hands!
We encourage members of the community involved in wellness practices that would like to develop an activity or event for Wellness month to reach out using the form provided.
March 2024: Art
March is dedicated Art and Culture, focused around Decentraland's 5th Annual Decentraland Art Week, this year again in collaboration with MESH Art Fair. Expect gallery shows, interactive experiences, panel talks, performance art, intimate behind the scenes livestreams with artists, and lots more. Created by the community, for the community. Let’s fill Decentraland with Art and Culture!
Already planned events:
Decentraland Art Week
Get a glimpse of what Art Week 2023 was like and get inspired for next year!
June 2024: Gaming
June of next year will be dedicated to gaming, just in time to show off the performance of Decentraland's new and powerful Desktop Client which aims to release near the end of May. Filled with minigames, an e-sports lounge and portals to the best games in Decentraland, if you like gaming, this will be the event for you! Open call to Decentraland game devs, if you want a portal to your game in the plaza, please reach out to marketing@decentraland.org.
Already planned events:
Megacube3
Planned to be the centerpiece of the new Gaming Plaza, the beloved mining game, Megacube 3 by Polygonal Mind will reappear in 2024 for its 3rd rendition. Bigger and better than before, the compelling play-to-earn 3 day extravaganza returns to Decentraland and once again will be overflowing with awesome digital and IRL prizes from various partners.
November 2024: Music
If it’s November in Decentraland, then you already know it’s time to turn up the beat again! Let’s celebrate music in Decentraland all month long, attend concerts or give them—it’s up to you.
Already planned events:
Decentraland Music Fest ‘24
Decentraland Music Fest will return for its 4th year in a row, will you step into the spotlight this time? Make sure to attend in 2023 and take notes for your own show!
Got ideas? Make it happen
Did one or more of those monthly themes spark some new ideas? Let’s all work together to turn those ideas into reality and continue to make Decentraland a fun and exciting place to be. Here’s to a strong end of 2023 and an even better 2024! Make sure to follow Decentraland on Twitter and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to be the first to know about the next event open call!
Disclaimer: This article has been updated since its original posting.