By Staff | February 2, 2026

Doll Fest is a mission-led music and arts gathering that champions feminine energy and community solidarity while actively dismantling patriarchal norms. By reclaiming the "doll" moniker, the festival pays tribute to the resilience and social triumphs of femme individuals across various historical movements such as the Black trans scene in New York. The event functions as a curated sanctuary where diversity is central rather than symbolic; it fosters a secure environment for BIPOC and Queer communities by setting clear boundaries against bigotry and supporting causes like the Transgender Law Center. Beyond its musical lineup of femme-fronted bands, the festival incorporates community-building efforts such as boxing classes and comedy shows to encourage active engagement. While the current political and economic climate has made securing financial sponsors more difficult, the festival continues to expand its reach, with plans to grow from its Oakland roots into an international presence in Mexico City and beyond by 2027.

We had a chance to sit down with Founder Maria Chaos for a wide-ranging interview - we hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed conducting it.

Welcome Maria! You’ve mentioned that your name comes from the fact that chaos always seems to find you. How does that unpredictable energy manifest in the way you organize and run a music festival?

Maria Chaos: It actually really doesn’t have anything to do with the music festival thankfully. Just more of my personal life. Haha. I don’t seek chaos, but somehow it always finds me.

Tahlena Chikami of Bite Me Bambi at Doll Fest - photo by Alan Snodgrass

You've spoken about being sick and tired of seeing festivals promise diversity while booking the same white, male-fronted lineups. Was there one specific event or moment that served as the final straw and made you say, "I have to do this myself"?

I kept trying to remember back when that singular moment was, but I think it was an accumulation of repeatedly witnessing the tokenizing of the marginalized or these empty promises of needing more diversity on stage without taking the action to change that. I would regularly see the same handful of bands play the same tours or shows over and over and it was frankly, just kind of annoying. Yes this possibly has to do with bookers and promoters picking the same rotating bands to tour because they know they will make their money. But there are so many good bands not being included because people stick to their comfort zones and just want to see the same bands play the same set, play the same song, and repeat. I was tired of the repeat, and here we are today.

As a Latina who is "white passing," how does that unique positionality influence the way you navigate the music industry and advocate for BIPOC artists who may not have the same privilege of “passing"?

I think the deeper I got into the scene and I would still see how BIPOC and POC artists were passed up on a regular basis really angered me. Art is supposed to be a safe haven to be yourself and express yourself, but unfortunately we live in, as we have fully witnessed, a still racist, fascist, ass-kissing capitalist society. This is not true with every interaction I have had, but it has happened more than I would like to admit. The punk scene deems itself rebellious and welcoming, but has always been very white and with more minorities pushing the unseen, and undiscussed boundaries that were placed in front of them, I am happily seeing change within the community. A true punk would never be racist, but I think that because it was such a white boy club that minorities were scared to join in, which is why bands like DEATH and Bad Brains were so revolutionary and really helped to pivot the scene making more folx comfortable as well as uncomfortable. We need that. We need to be okay with being uncomfortable and just accepting that we cannot control every little thing around us and that is something I find myself fighting for as a “white passing” Latina because it should not matter. I find myself prioritizing marginalized groups as much as I possibly can because there clearly are many others that don’t.

FATALE at Doll Fest - photo by Niki Pretti

You mentioned struggling to find community for most of your life. Through building Doll Fest, do you feel you've found that place for yourself?

I want to say yes, but also, this isn’t about me and my personal needs/wants/etc. This event is for the people and will always be for the people. I have never wanted it to be about me or one specific person for that matter. It’s why I treat this more like a gathering of friends, because that’s what it is.

You want Doll Fest to be a place where people are safe emotionally, physically, and spiritually. What are the practical, on the ground steps you take during the festival to ensure that safety is maintained?

Thankfully, I have yet to encounter any of this negativity, and I think it is because we have such a strong, forward mission statement on our views. Our marketing, branding, sharing that this event will be donating a portion of its proceeds to the Transgender Law Center, our unapologetic theme to share who and what we are about has I feel has prevented many unwanted folx from attending, which I am grateful for. I have yet to receive any type of hate mail, threats, etc. I think Doll Fest truly brings good people together and the numbers speak for themselves vs one hateful being. I say this knocking on wood because humans are unpredictable, but I don’t have any fear about the safety of the attendants at this point in time. If anything were to go down, you better believe I’d be the first person to do something about it, and I’m a Leo’s Leo so I wouldn’t necessarily be kind about it either if I hear of you messing with my cubs.

As a cis-het woman creating a space specifically for BIPOC and Queer communities, how do you ensure that Doll Fest remains a platform where those voices are leading the conversation rather than just being guests at the party?

Doll Fest was not created specifically for those communities. The reality is that Doll Fest was created to be a safe space for anyone that is not an asshole. Yes, it could be interpreted that way, but if you are a secure, welcoming, kind cis het man that will stand up for someone of color or of the queer community, then you are part of the Doll Fest Fam. I am not turning away people that are action oriented and not afraid to say that they love the mission and ethos of Doll Fest whoever they are, look like, sound like, etc. If you are here for the community, then you are family and that is who I want to attend, and that is what makes this a curated safe space.

Your mission statement is direct about who is NOT welcome — homophobes, transphobes, fascists, etc. Have you ever had to actively protect the perimeter of your festival, and how do you handle those confrontations?

Knock on wood, this has never happened. Knocking on more wood in hopes that it doesn’t happen in the future.

Sabrina Worthington of Loud Graves and of The Applicators at Doll Fest - photo courtesy of Doll Fest

The name “Doll Fest" carries a certain aesthetic. Is there a specific meaning behind the word "Doll" for you — perhaps a reclaiming of a term often used to diminish women, or a symbol of the diverse figures you’re bringing together?

The term “doll” has had a multitude of meanings throughout the decades from Black trans women in the New York scene, to being very misogynistic against women, to calling your friends or family members “doll”, to now a welcomed term for trans women. It was why I named the festival Doll Fest because it embodied so many layers of fights resulting in wins for femme beings at many stages. We always won these fights and came together, let’s keep coming together.

Many mainstream festivals practice performative diversity by booking one or two diverse acts just for optics. What is your advice to other promoters who want to be genuinely inclusive without falling into the trap of tokenism?

Be action oriented. Go to their shows, reach out on Instagram, add/share/like them on Instagram or other social media entities, buy their merch at the show or through their website, and tell your friends about them. I’m a big believer that if you show up, then they’ll show up for you, but not in a you now owe me sort of trade off, but in a I believe in you and want to support what you are doing way.

The Darts at Doll Fest - photo by Alan Snodgrass

You've mentioned that fighting the patriarchy and hate is what fuels the fire of Doll Fest. In moments of burnout, which is common in event planning, how do you keep that fire lit?

After crying, doing some yoga or any type of exercise, possibly going on a vacation or trip I may or may not be able to afford….. I take a deep breath and remind myself that this is for the community. My burnout is normal, but it’s not about me at the end of the day. This event started out being for the people and will always be for the people.

Doll Fest was born out of a need for community. Looking ahead, do you see Doll Fest expanding into other cities, or is the goal to keep it a localized, grassroots happy place for your immediate community?

It already has! Doll Fest Mexico City will be March 6-7, 2026 of this year. And there are more plans for expansion, but that is the most I can share with you. Hehe.

Who are some bands you would love to book?

This answer changes constantly because the list never ends. Lambrini Girls, Mint Green, Spa, Catbite, Initiate, The Selector, MVLL CRIMES, Bad Waitress, NIIS, Bratmobile, Dance Hall Crashers okay I have to stop now otherwise I will keep typing endless bands.

What was or what were some hardships you had to overcome this year compared to last year?

Finding sponsors. Finding sponsors this year was so much more difficult because the political climate really set the tone for the country. More companies though they may agree with our ideals and mission statement, have a lot of supporters who wouldn’t so they are scared to put their stamp of approval. I am grateful that Pabst as a company agrees with our mission statement and is sponsoring us once again, but I think people see that logo and think we have cash pouring out of our pockets, but that is not the case. Additionally, because of tariffs and higher costs, our society has less money to spend so these larger companies are also loosing money so they are unable to participate in sponsorship. We will get more and more creative financially if we have to. Doll Fest is only just beginning and is not going anywhere.

The Iron Roses at Doll Fest - photo by Alan Snodgrass

What was easier this year now?

Being way more organized along with a better marketing strategy, but I am still learning.

How do you picture the future of Doll Fest’s growth?

I can only share a little bit of this. We will be expanding again this year, and there are plans to take Doll Fest to another part of the world in 2027. I have a specific goal for Oakland. I am moving away from the idea of an outdoor festival, but maybe multiple stages … more on that later.

Half Past Two at Doll Fest - photo by Alan Snodgrass

What is the most rewarding thing a festival attendee has ever said to you?

That they are counting down the days until Doll Fest or how grateful they are to have this event created. But really this is where my “golden retriever-ness” comes into play. Anyone who shares a post, likes a post, comments, reacts, takes a photo, whatever it is, that is the most rewarding thing to me because it means that they are supportive and excited about the event.

Official website: https://www.dollfest.net

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/dollfest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dollfest

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61571936079068

Please note: Doll Fest is two words. Two. Thank you.

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