The SL23B Shop and Hop

 

 Good news for those who love to shop. The SL23B Shop and Hop is taking place. Featuring hundreds of stores across a total of 24 sims, this is one of the largest annual shopping events in Second Life.

 

The event actually started on Thursday June 20, though those in the Shop and Hop group could get in a day early.  There are a total of 480 stores, divided into two groups of sims. Eighteen are rated Moderate. Six are rated Adult, and are likely to offer adult-rated goods. The store owners are required to offer at least a 20% discount on their items (some are offering more), and at least one free gift for shoppers, regardless if they're in the store group or not.

 

Dropping by, the place matched the theme of "The Golden Age of Hollywood," with it's statues and some stores being Hollywood themed with decorations of Hollywood signs and the like.

 

You can jump right into the shopping by heading to Dahlia (130, 131, 25) (location from an inworld teleporter). But you can get a list of sims from the Destination Guide (or notecards available inworld in the Shop and Hop and SLB  groups), and a list of the 480 stores is available on this page of the official blog. There is also a SL23B Shop and Hop Flickr page. 

 

Happy shopping.

 

Bisyl Shuftan 

EOTB: Applications Being Accepted For SL23B Shop & Hop

 

For merchants wanting to take part in the Second Life Birthday Shop and Hop event, good news. Yesterday on April 30, Linden Lab announced it was accepting applications for the shopping event. 

 

For those interested, business owners wanting to be part of the event need to fill out an application on Google Docs (here). The SLB Shop and Hop will last for the duration of The Birthday, Thursday, June 18 thru Sunday, July 19. The setup itself will be from Friday June 5 to Monday June 8. Merchants are required to have all items in their store discounted by at least 20 percent, and have at least one available as a gift to anyone, or a gift certificate worth at least 299L, reguardless if they're in the store group or not. Politics is to be avoided, and items not for sale at the store cannot be advertised. 

 

This year, the Shop and Hop sims will be in two areas, one General-rated, and one Adult-rated. So those wanting to be in the Adult area can request it. Those wishing to be part of the General-Audience area need to keep their items and decor fit for the sim rating.  

 

Applications for the Shop and Hop need to be turned in earlier than other SLB applications, by Sunday May 10. Volunteers, Exhibitors and Entertainers need to turn theirs in by May 18. 

 

For more information, read the official blog post here.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Fantasy Faire Opens In Three Weeks

 

For those who can't wait for the Fantasy Fair, just hold on a little longer. It will be opening three weeks from today, Thursday April 23. 

 

The Fantasy Faire is one of the major events of the Relay for Life fundraising season in Second Life, with many highly skilled performers and builders behind it, offering shopping, music events, roleplaying, story reading, the Fairelands Quest game, and lots of gorgeous scenery to explore across many sims. 

 

For more information, check the blog here: https://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/ 

Commercial District Sims Open in Bellisseria's Ridgewood Area

 

 At one of the Meet the Lindens events at the SL22B, Patch Linden stated that there were plans for "a foray into the commercial" for Bellisseria. Today, the Commercial District sims in Bellisseria's Ridgewood community area were open.

The Ridgewood Enclave Commercial Districts are places to shop for clothing, home furnishings, plants, decor items for your patio and yard … you name it.

Are you a merchant? Any Premium Plus member can claim a 1024 sq m parcel and use its permanent building for a shop. Use simple controls to choose a style and color scheme, then add your own lighting, displays, and signage. There’s no purchase price and no monthly fee.

While the announcement was Tuesday, when yours truly dropped by then, the sims were not yet open. Checking the Bellisseria group today, it had been announced they finally were.

 

The commercial sims are:  Scherzo, Highlight, Yellow Brick, Brubeck, Big Toque, Greenbush Hill, Broadstreet, West Martinet, Fortune Hills, Sidewall, and Downbeat. Readers might remember when the Ridgewood sims were first on the map in September 2025, Scherzo was among them, but was closed. 

 

There are seven styles of shops:  Bridgecrest, Cityview, Edgeworks, Gridline, Overlook, Seamstone, and Vault.  They come in either long, 16 x 64, or 32 x 32. They are arranged around a central square, with roads passing through north and south, east and west, with a decorative island with trees in the middle. Around there are signs one can click with information on the sims, as well as a map of Bellisseria and benches to sit on. The tops of the stores are green with grass, and have decorative vents poking through. 

 

Oh, and you need to have a Premium-Plus account to claim one, not just Premium.  

 

No shop that had been claimed was yet complete in the sim I looked at, but were in various states of setup. Some had only a single sign. One had a few vendors. There was one place that wasn't a store to buy something, but an arcade people could play games for free with a tip jar for those feeling generous.  

 

There is a thread in the official Second Life forums about the commercial districts (I admit I haven't read very far). 

 

There may be more on the topic later if details warrant. For now, those who love to shop have several more places to go to.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Press Release: Fashion Fair 2026

 

Fashion Fair 2026: Where Fashion Meets Hope

The Seekers of Hope Relay For Life team is proud to present Fashion Fair 2026, a multi-team fundraising event benefiting the American Cancer Society, running February 21 – March 1, 2026.

Presented by Seekers of Hope and sponsored by Fire Within and Kilikobo Shores & Beach, Fashion Fair 2026 brings together creativity, community, and compassion in a celebration of style with purpose.

This year’s event will showcase more than 30 fashion designers from across the grid, representing women’s, men’s, and dinkies fashion. Shoppers and attendees can look forward to a dynamic schedule featuring fashion shows across all categories, along with daily entertainment designed to enhance the shopping experience and create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere.

Fashion Fair is more than a shopping event — it is a statement of unity and hope. Every purchase made during the event supports the American Cancer Society, with 100% of proceeds going directly to the cause, helping fund cancer research, patient support programs, and lifesaving initiatives.

✨ Where fashion meets hope.
✨ Because together, we make hope beautiful.

Fashion Fair 2026 invites the community to come together — designers, performers, shoppers, and supporters alike — to prove that style can make a difference and that hope is always in fashion.

For more information about Fashion Fair 2026, including schedules and participating designers, please watch for upcoming announcements from the Seekers of Hope team.

For the full entertainment schedule visit https://seekersofhope.wordpress.com/events/fashion-fair/

Website - https://seekersofhope.wordpress.com/events/fashion-fair/
Fashion Fair FB group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1372130976454717
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/seekersofhoperflteam
Flickr - https://www.flickr.com/groups/seekersofhoperfl/

 

Valentine Shop and Hop Going On

 

 

For those looking to get something for their sweetheart, get some gear for a romantic-themed party, or just like shopping in general, some good news. The Valentine Shop and Hop is taking place. 

 

Having started on  Friday January 30, the event has over 280 stores across 14 sims. Each of the sims has decorations from teddy bears to candy hearts, and more. 

 

 

Each shop has it's goods discounted by 20 percent, or more. And each has either a gift available for everyone regardless if they're in the store's group or not, or a gift certificate 

 

For those wanting to post, or view, pictures, there's a Shop & Hop Flickr Group: https://www.flickr.com/groups/slshophop ..

 

For a list of the sims, check here on the Destinations Guide.  For a list of the store SURLs, check here on the Linden Blog (more on other VDay happenings later). Or if you just want to hop right in, head to Lavendar (129/126/54). 

 

Happy Shopping 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

SL Living Expo

 

 The Second Life Living Expo starts today. This mega-event supporting the American Cancer Society through the Relay for Life is taking place before the official Relay season starts. Taking place across several sims next to the ACS one, there's plenty to places to see, smaller events to enjoy music and other activities, and items to buy. 

 

From January 23rd through February 6th, the SL Living Expo opens its doors and its heart. 100+ creators gather in 8 regions filled with creativity, paired with 100+ hours of music that drifts through streets alive with shopping, contests, bingo, bustling street markets, and countless activities waiting to be discovered. Every moment and every purchase supports Relay For Life of Second Life. For more information, visit their website: sl-living-expo.org 

 

Known as the Home and Garden Expo in the past, last year it merged with the Fandom Con and the Renaissance Festival in an expanded event. 

 

For more information, check the event's website at https://sl-living-expo.org/ . For the SURL, head to https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL%20LIVING%20EXPO/128/239/23 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

 

Applications Being Accepted For Valentine Shop and Hop

 

It's not yet Christmas, and people are still shopping at the stores for gifts. But already Linden Lab is getting ready for February.  On Friday December 12, Linden Lab announced it was accepting applications for the Valentine Shop and Hop.

 

We are thrilled to announce the early opening of applications for the 2026 Valentine Shop & Hop!

As we prepare for an extra special Valentine’s event, we're on the lookout for enthusiastic Creators ready to join the celebration of love ...

Merchants wanting to take part will need to fill out a Google Doc (here).  They will need to offer at least 20 percent off on items on sale at the stores. They will also need to offer a new gift for shoppers, regardless if they're in the merchant's group or not, or a gift certificate worth at least 300 Linden dollars. No adult items are permitted, nor are political themes. Also, applying does not guarantee approval.

 

 The Valentine Shop and Hop will run from Friday January 30 to Monday February 16. 

 

For the blog post in full, Click here.  

 

Holiday Shop & Hop Women's Gift Gowns And Outfits

 

The Christmas Shop and Hop is taking place. And Netera Landar dropped by to check it out. For today's article she looks at some of the women's gowns and outfits offered as gifts by the stores. So what did she find?

 

Read Netera's article in Fashion. 

Christmas Lane

 

Gemma Cleanslate's search for Christmas places continues. For today's article, she looked at Christmas Lane. The place boasted plenty of decor, outdoor and indoor, plus gachas and an advent calendar. She also gave a short mention about the Christmas Shop and Hop. 

 

Read Gemma's article in Places. 

 

Christmas Shop And Hop Starts Today

 

 For those of you who love Christmas shopping, or looking for a good buy and the occasional freebie, good news. The Holiday Shop and Hop, organized by Linden Lab, starts today.

 

The 2025 Holiday Shop & Hop is ... here with 360 participating Creators across 18 shopping regions, bringing you loads of festive fun! Every store will have at least a 20% discount on all items and a free (non-group) gift for shoppers or a gift certificate valued at L$300 or above! 

 

The fun starts today, Friday December 5, at 9AM SL time,  and as the announcement says, there's a lot of territory to cover, 360 stores across 18 sims. Each item will be on sale at least twenty percent, and at least one free gift or a gift certificate worth at least 300 Linden dollars. 

 

To get to the Shop and Hop, check its section in the Destination Guide for the list of sims, teleport to one of the stores from the list on the bottom three-fifths of the Holiday Events blog page, or just jump right in at Gleaming (128/128/54). 

 

For those shopping after Christmas, the event goes on to Sunday January 4 2026.  

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Christmas Expo Begins

 

 

The Christmas Expo is on. This fundraiser for the American Cancer Society is taking place across ten sims next to the sim of the same name. 

 

There's plenty of scenery, dozens of shops, auctions, contests such as snowman building, and music and dance events such as the one pictured above. 

 

Saturday November 29th Music Events:

10 - 11 AM    * Ricky Haystack 
11 - 12 PM      * Bsukmet Stormcrow
12 - 1 PM    * Dandy Pianoman 
1 - 2 PM    * NeoMaximus Brandenburg
2 - 3 PM    * ChelseaMarie Noel
3 - 4 PM    * Rice Tyler
4 - 5 PM    * Corvus Blessed 
5 - 6 PM    * Grace Loudon
6 - 7 PM    * LoneWolf55 Genesis
7 - 8 PM    * Maribol Inshan
8 - 9 PM    * Melenda Yarrowroot
9 - 10 PM    * Dee Freund 

 

 For more information, check out the blog: https://slchristmasexpo.com

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/CHRISTMAS%20EXPO/115/140/24 

 

Announcement: Urban Furry Presents EleV8

 

 

 

 A new bi-monthly event

 

Many different vendors

 

Exclusive Items

 

Music by Urban Furry DJs

 

December 1st to 14th

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Vector%20Valley/184/58/22

 

Getting Ready For The Expo

 

Picture taken at the west border of the American Cancer Society sim. The Relay for Life volunteer group is preparing for the Second Life Christmas Expo. Starting on Friday November 28 (the day after Thanksgiving), there will be events, music, scenery, and shopping across nine sims. 

 

As one can see from the picture, the Relayers have set up some good scenery, but they're not quite finished yet. And for now the sims are still closed to most.  

 

For more information, check out the blog: https://slchristmasexpo.com/

 

Snuggles

 

Gemma Cleanslate's search for Christmas-themed places continues. She recently stopped by a store with a cute name: Snuggles. There was a wide variety of outdoor decor to get. But there's also plenty of decorations for the inside of a home, plus gifts you can get for someone.

 

Read Gemma's article in Places. 

 

The Halloween Shop and Hop

 

 On Friday October 4, one of the bigger shopping events this month, if not the biggest, started: the Halloween Shop and Hop. Organized by Linden Lab, there's well over three hundred shops in eighteen sims. 

The 2025 Halloween Shop & Hop ... featuring 360 creators across 18 shopping regions, promising loads of spooktacular fun! Each store will offer at least a 20% discount on all items, along with a new and exclusive gift or a gift certificate valued at L$300 or more, available for free!

Before diving inworld, sneak a peek at many of the available items in the official Second Life Shop & Hop Flickr pool. Don’t forget to share photos of your haul too!

To visit the 2025 Halloween Shop & Hop, start at any of the regions, but make sure to explore them all to see everything on offer. Happy shopping! 

 Dropping by, there was some spooky decor in the sims. 

 

 Many of the stores had a spooky look to them. And some of the shoppers looked a bit spooky as well.

 

As stated earlier, all shops have items discounted at least 20% and have at least one free gift not necessary to be in the store group to get or a gift card. 

 

For a list of the sims, Click Here.  For a list of the 360 stores, check the bottom three fifths of the Halloween announcements page on the Linden blog here (more on the other attractions later). Or you can just hop straight in here:  https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/129/127/54.

 

The event lasts until November 2 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Press Release: Eighth Annual Outshop Cancer Shopping Event

 

Out Shop Cancer Returns for 8th Year in Support of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

[Second Life – 2025] – The 8th annual Out Shop Cancer event is set to return this October in support of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the American Cancer Society. Running from October 1 – 31, 2025, this beloved fundraising event invites shoppers and hunters from across the Second Life grid to come together for a cause that touches millions.

Back again this year are the Out Shop Cancer Main Store and Marketplace Shopping Event and the ever-popular Grid-Wide Hunt, offering endless opportunities to shop, explore, and discover while raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research and support services.

Adding to the excitement, from October 15 – 31, the special themed event “Out Shop Cancer: Goth Darn-it! Let’s Find a Cure!” will take place, bringing together one-stop shopping in the Pop-Up Market, an inspiring Art Walk, festive pumpkin and float decorating contests, interactive workshops, and a full lineup of live entertainment.

Every Linden raised during Out Shop Cancer goes directly to the American Cancer Society, funding groundbreaking breast cancer research, patient support programs, and awareness efforts.

Join us this October in Second Life to shop, hunt, create, and celebrate while making a real difference in the fight against breast cancer. Together, we can shop with purpose and take another step closer to a cure.

Website: https://www.outshopcancersecondlife.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outshopcancersl
Primfeed: https://www.primfeed.com/out-shop-cancer
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/groups/outshopcancersl/
Donate online: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/outshopcancer

Landmark for Shopping Hud available October 1. 
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chronotis%20Empire/201/90/23 

 

More Halloween Shopping: Khargo and Halloween Town in Portland

 

With October approaching, some people are getting ready for Halloween early. And Gemma Cleanslate has been looking for a few places that can cater to them. She found two. One is Khargo, which had plenty of skeletons. At Halloween Town in Portland, you can take a tour and shop as you go along. 

 

Read Gemma's story in Design.  

 

The Cyber Fair's Last Day

 

Today marks the last day of the Cyber Fair. This shopping event offers plenty of items to wear for those wanting a futuristic look, from headgear to outfits, to bionic limbs, various other accessories, and more. 
 

It's that time again... The virtual world is about to light up CYBER FAIR • SEPTEMBER ROUND ≼ is coming in HOT! From futuristic fashion to cutting-edge creations, this is where innovation meets style in the metaverse. 

 

To read more about it, check the website: https://www.access-sl.com/cyberfair.

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ACCESS%202/126/124/1504 

 

More Halloween Shopping And Health Island In September

Gemma Cleanslatehas been continuing her search for Halloween, and autumn, themed places. Her journey took her to two. At Wonderland Beach, there was a noteworthy hunt going on. Halloweentown was appropriately named, with spooky shops offering decore, as well as a few surprises. But this wasn't all, she would stop by Health Island to see what they had this month. 

 

Read Gemma's article in Events.