Annual Fetish Events for the Kinky Queer Traveler
Many of us may not like athletics, but we sure do love athletic supporters…and leather and rubber and bondage…you get the drift! One of the most enjoyable parts of traveling for the kinky queers among us is checking out the local fetish scene. Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend and Folsom Down Under are just a couple of events that normally kick off a year of scheduled kinky events.
We’re all about the sex-positive vibe or events where you can be your authentic self! So, let your freak flag fly proudly at some of our favorite fetish events listed below.
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend (Washington, DC)
When: January
Usually held in Washington, DC during MLK weekend, this leather event – that welcomes all – focuses on the annual competition to pass the coveted Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather sash to a new person. The contest includes interviews with the judges as well as a jockstrap, bar wear, and formal leather competition on stage for all to see. But wait… there’s more!
The Centaur Motorcycle Club hosts the event every year at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, where most of the scheduled events and parties are held, except for MAL-related parties produced by Kinetic Presents, held at local bars or venues in the District. Everyone converges on the host hotel, where there is a Leather Market on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and the hotel is also a safe zone to meet other people who have the same kinks, such as the Heroes and Villians meetup. Click here to find out more information about Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend!
Folsom Events (U.S., Germany, and Australia)
When: January, June, and September
San Francisco isn’t the only Folsom festival anymore though. The Folsom brand has gone global! A fetish year of Folsom events starts with Folsom Down Under on the second weekend in January in Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia. New York is home to Folsom East usually held in June. Folsom Europe is usually scheduled on the second Saturday in September in Berlin’s Schöneberg district.
However, most people know about the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco every September. The mainstream big brother to Up Your Alley Street Fair is the world’s largest leather event and showcase for BDSM culture, attracting 250,000+ people! It spans over 13 city blocks and includes loads of live demonstrations of S&M play, flogging, bondage, and gear play. Organizers create space for puppy play, porn vendors, leather craftsmen, and booths for all sorts of fetish paraphernalia.
LGBTQ+ and straight folks co-mingle in one space. It is the most welcoming, open-minded, and inclusive event you could hope for, especially in the US. There is usually a $10 entrance fee, but all proceeds go to charity. All Folsom events share San Francisco’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and fundraising.
Sydney Fetish Week (Australia)
When: Late February – Early March
Usually scheduled during the same time as the famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney Fetish Week brings together all the groups that comprise Sydney’s fetish and kink scene. As an umbrella event, it serves to highlight both social and educational groups, ensuring that everyone can explore their kinks in a safe and inclusive environment. BLUF, BOOTS, MAC FETISH, DRILLd, and RUBBr are just a few events held throughout the week. Check out The Eagle Bar Sydney’s Facebook page for updates and more information.
Easter Berlin (Germany)
When: March
Members of the club BLF, Berlin Lederun Fetisch (Berlin Leather and Fetish) organize Easter Berlin, the biggest leather and fetish event in Europe. On Easter Sunday, the new Mr. Leather Berlin is chosen. Thousands of leather, rubber, sportswear, and uniform enthusiasts descend on the city for this annual tradition. It is held in the Schöneberg district in Berlin, also the host neighborhood for Folsom Europe in September.
The Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend (Cleveland, Ohio)
When: April
If you’re in or around Cleveland in April, then you may want to add a few extra days to check out this popular leather event. In addition to its VendorMart selling everything from custom leatherwear to sexy toys, the Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend (CLAW) is normally scheduled during the second weekend in April, kicking off with the ‘Shirts Off Kick Off Party’ on Wednesday. Registration & Guest Services to pick up your badge, bag, pin t-shirt, and equipment rentals are not officially open until Thursday.
A quick sample of CLAW events includes Gear parties, skills and education workshops, silent auctions, the CLAW Body Spa, Speed Dating to find the right kink match, and individual social meetups for trans folx, people of color, newcomers, and more. In addition to live bondage exhibitions and an all-gender playspace, CLAW welcomes people with a variety of kinks, including rubber, pets and handlers, and cigar daddies. There are ticketed dinners and parties, too! Get more info here.
International Mr. Leather (Chicago, Illinois)
When: May
International Mr. Leather (IML) is an international conference of leathermen held each Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago. This epic leather weekend’s primary focus is the annual competition to select a new Mr. International Leather. Contestants go through a series of interviews to demonstrate their stage presence and personalities, and of course, serve outstanding leather looks.
Selecting a contestant to wear the coveted sash is the finale to the leather weekend and convention, which also has a leather market with a multitude of vendors selling fetish gear, sex toys, and IRL demonstrations on how to use all of it. The Grabby Awards are typically held the same weekend, honoring the best in gay pornography.
Up Your Alley Street Fair (San Francisco, California)
When: July
Dore Alley Weekend is built around the Up Your Alley Street Fair at the intersection of Folsom Street and – you guessed it – Dore Alley. The event is often considered a smaller version of the infamous Folsom Street Fair (since it is organized by the same people) but with a few key differences: this event is a gayer male-centric crowd, it is a bit kinkier or more explicit than Folsom, and San Franciscans are usually represented well. For updates about the event, you can check out the Folsom Street website for more information.
GearBlast UK (Walsall, England)
When: August
It is GearBlast’s mission to provide a safe environment for all people who share an interest in gear to meet, socialize, and learn from each other. Everyone – regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, body type, or economic status – is welcome to participate. It is a relaxed social event with communal eating times, markets to buy and sell gear, setups to play games, and several workshops – all with an emphasis on inclusivity. Playrooms are provided for deeper exploration.
