Doca Dream Lab 2025: Fantastic Creatures

Doca Dream Lab is a new annual creative initiative that invites children to imagine and draw — and brings their ideas to life as immersive light sculptures! In 2025, our theme is “Fantastic Creatures.”

Six selected artworks will be transformed into large-scale illuminated sculptures and featured in the Doca Festival: San Jose Holiday Lights at Discovery Meadow from November 14, 2025 to January 4, 2026.

Who Can Participate

Children aged 4–8 living in the Bay Area are welcome to submit their original artwork.

Theme: Fantastic Creatures

Let your imagination run wild — dragons, unicorns, sea monsters, space beasts, or animals from a dream. Any creature that feels magical, mysterious, or playful.

Key Dates

• Submission Period: June 1 - July 15, 2025
• Winners Announced: End of July 2025
• Light Sculptures Unveiled: At San Jose Holiday Lights in November 2025

What Selected Artists Will Receive

• Their drawing + sculpture displayed side by side at the festival
• A Family Season Pass to San Jose Holiday Lights
• A DOCA Dream Lab Honorary Certificate
• A DOCA Holiday Gift Box
• A 1-Year Membership to Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
• Tickets to San Jose Museum of Art
• A $50 gift card to Hicklebee’s Books, San Jose’s favorite children’s bookstore

How to Submit

To enter, please email your child’s artwork (a scanned copy or a clear photo) to: docalab@docafestival.com

Submission Deadline: July 15, 2025

We recommend using the following email template (you can copy and paste it):

Subject: Submission – DOCA Dream Lab 2025 – [Child’s Name]Dear DOCA Dream Lab Team,We are excited to submit our child’s artwork for the 2025 Dream Lab theme: Fantastic Creatures. Please find the artwork attached.Child's Name: [Your Child’s Full Name]Child's Age: [Age – must be 4 to 8 years old]Title of the Artwork: [Your Chosen Title]Short Description (optional): [A few words about the creature or idea]Parent/Guardian Name: [Your Full Name]Email Address: [Your Contact Email]Phone Number: [Your Contact Phone Number]We look forward to seeing all the wonderful creations at San Jose Holiday Lights this winter!By submitting this artwork, we acknowledge and agree that:– The artwork may be used by DOCA Festival for non-commercial promotional purposes, including exhibition, social media, press, and educational materials.– If selected, the artwork may be adapted into a light sculpture to be displayed at San Jose Holiday Lights.– The original drawing remains the intellectual property of the artist (the child), but the created light sculpture will be the property of DOCA.– This submission is made voluntarily and without compensation.Best regards,[Your Name]

Why It Matters

DOCA Dream Lab is more than a contest — it’s a platform to celebrate young imagination and connect local families with public art and holiday joy. Let’s create wonder, together.

One entry per child. Group or classroom submissions are also welcome — please contact us for collaboration opportunities!