Fort Lauderdale is about to get a serious pink glow-up as Barbie Dream Fest, billed as the first official Barbie fan festival, rolls into the Broward County Convention Center March 27–29. Serena Williams is set to appear and receive the festival’s inaugural Barbie Dream Fest Icon Award, and the weekend lineup features a special “Barbie The Movie: In Concert” screening with live orchestral accompaniment. Organizers are promising panels, a life-size DreamHouse, an ’80s roller rink and a Marketplace stacked with Barbie gear. Tickets and add-ons range from single-day passes to premium Pink, Dream and Icon packages.
Mischief Management is producing the three-day celebration in partnership with Mattel, which says the festival is designed to blend nostalgia with creator programming and interactive exhibits. “We are thrilled to announce Barbie Dream Fest, as a new offering designed to delight the brand’s growing fandom,” Julie Freeland of Mattel said in a press release. Organizers are framing the weekend as a multi-generational celebration of storytelling, play and empowerment, according to Business Wire.
Who’s coming and what to expect
The first announced guests span athletes, creators and scientists. Serena Williams is slated to appear Saturday, March 28, joined by WNBA star Angel Reese, actress Marlee Matlin, NASA engineer Dr. Swati Mohan and Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad for panels, conversations and signings. Families can also look for collector showcases, workshops and themed activations spread throughout the convention floor, according to Barbie Dream Fest.
Barbie The Movie: In Concert
An evening screening dubbed “Barbie The Movie: In Concert” is scheduled for the night of March 27, with the film accompanied live by the Barbie Land Sinfonietta, an all-women orchestra performing both the score and soundtrack. The concert format and Fort Lauderdale date appear on the film’s official in-concert site, which lists the screening as part of Barbie Dream Fest, according to Barbie The Movie: In Concert.
Tickets and passes
Face-value tickets start at $69 for adult single-day passes and $149 for a three-day General Pass. Pink and Dream passes layer in priority access, evening events and swag, while an Icon add-on tied to Serena Williams is listed at $499 and includes a reserved seat and photo op. Family packs and other VIP packages are also on the menu. Full pricing, availability and purchase links are listed on the festival’s ticket page, according to Barbie Dream Fest.
Plan your visit
Barbie Dream Fest will take over the Broward County Convention Center at 1950 Eisenhower Blvd., and out-of-town attendees should be ready for busy hotels and heavier traffic around the venue. The AXS event listing includes the convention center address and directions, while Visit Lauderdale points visitors to nearby hotels and travel tips for the weekend…