Doll North is a programming track within Anime North, focusing on all things dolls! While we tend to center on Ball Joint Dolls, we are slowly adding fashion doll (like Monster High) programming and all doll types are welcome at all of our contests and workshops.

We welcome collectors of all doll types, but remind you that Anime North is an artist friendly, recast free zone.

A pass to Anime North is required to attend any and all Doll North programming and events. Doll Programming will primarily be within the TCC South and the Delta Hotel.

Theme: Sweet and Savoury Bakery

This year’s theme is all about your local bakery! Create a unique baker’s uniform, or a dress inspired by macarons! A suit designed to mimic sourdough or a gingerbread knight’s armor. Please note there are specific rules about using food items in your design. If you’re looking for some inspo, check out our PINTEREST BOARD.

We STRONGLY suggest you pre-register to enter. We are accepting nearly all doll types (some size restrictions apply) so enter your BJD, your Barbies, your Monster High, action figures and More! To read the rules and find the pre-registration information click here.

The Doll North Photo contest is back! Do you like staging your dolls for photography? Set the scene, adjust the lighting, and go. Here’s your chance to win a cool prize for doing so! This year’s theme is Tasty Treats.

Rules for Photo Contest:

• Participants may enter ONE photograph only.
• Photographs must be 8x10 mounted on a firm card or cardstock. No frames will be accepted.
• Each entrant must have a valid Anime North badge, valid badges include General Day and Weekend Admissions, Exhibitor, and Dealer passes.
• Awards will be granted for both Fan Favourite and Best Execution of Theme. Additional awards may be added during the convention.
• Entrants are not required to be present during judging.
• Entrants are required to drop off their photos for display in the Doll North Costume Contest area; the deadline is before noon on Sunday, but if you wish to have a chance in the fan favourite vote, ensure you drop your entry off by 11am Saturday!
• All participants will be required to label their entry on the back of the card with their entry # and name.
• Participants may not reuse photos previously entered in a Doll North competition or in any other judged competition, this includes but is not limited to conventions, online competitions, and company competitions.
• Participants are encouraged to use minimal amounts of digital enhancements to the photo, the focus of the image should be your dolls with creative props, backdrops, costumes, locations etc. to depict the theme. This is a photography contest, not a photoshop contest.
• Please ensure photos are PG in nature. Entries that are deemed explicitly gory or overtly sexual may be removed from the contest.
• All dolls are valid for this contest, so long as they are not recasts or other illicit reproductions. Art Theft hurts.

Get cozy and fresh like bakery bread! You're invited to the Doll North Pajama Party!

Enjoy time with other doll people (and their dolls) playing games, sharing spooky doll stories, taking photos at our backdrops, and doing some fun crafty activities! Plan a cool outfit with you & your doll to participate in some best dressed contests!

Doll North's first Make & Take event! 

We are hosting a make & take event with clay, where you'll have an opportunity to make a to-scale baked good for your doll!

There will even be an experimental corner where you can toy around with some Worbla!

Awards for the Photo Contest and Costume Contest will be announced Sunday during the Awards Ceremony & Tea Party.

(We are… truly hopeful there will be tea this time. Third time’s the charm?)

We will be having a Swap Meet and a Marketplace for doll vendors once more. The swap meet does not require any sort of advanced signups, but will require a $5 fee for table space. Table space will be divided and limited, so please do not plan to bring a marketplace worth of things to offload - if you have a large amount of items you are trying to rehome, consider buying a marketplace table instead.

The swap meet is meant to be a hangout space where you can swap items you don’t need anymore. Cash sales are allowed, but tables are divided up into ¼ spaces and not meant to be a market display. If you have a lot of items to move and are mostly looking to sell, consider getting a Marketplace Table.

• No recast/bootleg items allowed. Art theft hurts everyone.
• Only one person may take up one ‘spot’ at a table. 
• Clean up after yourself. Failure to do so may result in a ban from future swap events.
• If there is a disagreement regarding the fairness of a swap, either cancel the swap or engage a Staff Member.
• When Staff advises that it is time to pack up, all swap activities are to cease.
• Store extra items or totes under the tables to keep the floors clear.
• No rude or discourteous behaviour will be tolerated towards Staff or fellow con attendees.
• Staff are not responsible for any lost or damaged items. You are responsible for keeping an eye on your own swap space.
• This is an all-ages event, please be mindful of this if bringing 18+ items.
• Items suggesting illegal behaviour (ex: substance paraphernalia) are not permitted.

Table Spaces are $5 at a first come, first serve basis. There is no fee to browse/swap with others. WE ENCOURAGE SWAPPING but cash sales are allowed.

If you are interested in having a vendor table all weekend in the main Industry Hall (next to Artists Alley and the Dealer’s Room, where our Costume and Photo Sets are displayed) there are very limited tables available. 

• An artist table measures approximately 2’ x 8’ and have a maximum of two (2) chairs
• Table with one artist admission costs:  $209.05 ($185.00 + 13%HST)
• Secondary Artist or Helper admission (max of 1) costs: $70.00 CAD
• Table cloth available for sale on a FCFS basis: $5.00 CAD

Hours for the area:

• Friday, May 22, 2026: 5:00pm – 10:00pm EDT
• Saturday, May 23, 2026: 10:00am – 8:00pm EDT
• Sunday, May 24, 2026: 10:00am – 5:00pm EDT

Contact [email protected] for more info.

We expect the marketplace to be Saturday early morning through the afternoon in the front of the TCC South building (Southerland rooms) once again, but this has not been finalized. Tables will be 2*6 and come with 2 chairs. Table coverings will not be available and we advise you to bring your own. Electrical hookups will not be available.

Each vendor is allowed 1 (ONE) table helper - helpers must be registered ahead of time via your application form. Vendors and helpers must possess a valid Anime North 2026 pass. (Staff and Single Day passes are acceptable)

If you are interested in a vendor table but are unsure about the timing, we suggest emailing us to secure your space as it is first come, first serve. You will be invoiced once we have the schedule confirmed, so if there is a conflict you will be able to relinquish your table to another on the waiting list.

Signups must use your legal name as written on your Government-Issued ID. You must have a valid email address and Government Photo ID for sign in purposes. We will use preferred names for all correspondence, this is just for contract purposes.

Cost:

Payment of $50 CAD per table ($44.25 + 13%HST) must be within 1 week of receiving your invoice. No late or same-day Payments will be accepted.

If you would like two tables, please advise in your original email. There are no guarantees that two tables will be given, as it is dependent on how many people request a market table.

You may donate new or like new items as prizes for our contests in exchange for credit on your table. These donations must be approved in advance by the Doll North staff, and not all donations will be accepted. If you are planning on donating items in lieu of table payment, please send pictures and the value of the items once you have received confirmation that a table has been reserved for you.

Code of Conduct

• Doll North Staff reserve the right to remove merchandise they deem unacceptable or prohibited. 
• Staff may ask a vendor to leave if their conduct is deemed unacceptable as per Anime North policies. 
• Anime North reserves the right to revoke an attendee badge for misconduct.
• You must read and accept the Anime North Convention Policy as posted.

The Doll North Market Area is designated for the sale of ball-jointed, vinyl, and fashion dolls and merchandise intended for use with said dolls such as doll clothing, wigs, shoes, eyes, artist’s materials, and doll related services (restringing, face-ups, photography). Recast dolls are expressly not allowed.

All 18+ materials must not be openly visible and ID is required to view these materials.

Items that are not related specifically to dolls (manga, cosplay, figures, etc) are not intended for this marketplace. If your table is not 80% doll related, you may be asked to leave the market and you will not be refunded your table cost.