The Kink Calendar: Fetish Festivals to Keep An Eye On!

Folsom St. Fair (San Francisco): September 25, 2022

There are few bigger kink events every year than the iconic Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. What started as a niche event for those with less-publicly discussed interests, the Folsom Street Fair, or "Folsom" as it's otherwise known, has quickly ballooned into the massive mainstream event of the year, bringing in thousands of guests, including a surprising amount of heteros with kids in strollers. Enjoy the zoo, breeders!

Though its popular acceptance has made it a bit of a tourist destination, there's still plenty to love about Folsom. My first Folsom was back in 2012 and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed myself. I can't wait to go back!

CLAW Presents: L.A. Leather Getaway (Los Angeles): November 23 - 27, 2022

Looking to meet some hot leather men to stuff you nice and deep this Thanksgiving? Then I've got the perfect event for you: Cleveland Leather Annual Weekend (CLAW)'s new L.A. Leather Getaway. The annual event is one of the hottest events in the country for men who love leather. Not only does CLAW have hundreds of vendors in its huge vendor mart, thousands of attendees, and the world’s largest curriculum of kinky sex education... it's also entirely a non-profit.

Since it began in January of 2002, CLAW Corp.’s fundraising has brought in just shy of $1 million to over 50 community charities. For every reason imaginable, CLAW is an event you do NOT want to miss.

Pig Week (Fort Lauderdale): November 25 - December 4

But maybe you don't want to get sleepy from all the thanksgiving turkey. Maybe you're more of a pig guy, ya know? Enter: Pig Week in Fort Lauderdale. The annual event hosted by Chad Bush is a way for everyone who identifies simply as "a pig" to let loose and have some fun.

Into leather? Great! Hate it? That's fine! Do you wear a natural sweater on your chest? Wonderful! Smooth as the day you were born? Also great! The only thing that matters at Pig Week is that you like to get down and dirty and love some good, horny fucking.

Darklands Antwerp Fetish Festival (Belgium): March 7 - 14, 2023

The world's biggest indoor fetish festival returns this year for its 13th celebration of fetishes. If you find yourself traveling the globe and want to make sure you head over to one of the mecca events, the Darklands Antwerp Fetish Festival in Belgium. Not only is the festival the biggest - and definitely one of the hottest - events of the year, but it also acts as a philanthropic event raising tons of money for the kink and fetish communities, specifically through its work with the We Are One Foundation.

"We Are One" collects money through various fundraisers and then the money is split equally between the various titleholders elected at Darklands, as well as a charity picked by Darklands (changes every year). I can't think of a more fun event than one where I get off, celebrate sex positivity, AND help make the world a little more free and inclusive.

International Mr. Leather (Chicago): May 25 - 29, 2023

After two years of being canceled because of the Pandemic, the International Mister Leather competition saw its triumphant return last year and crowned the ridiculously sexy Gael Leung Chong Wo as its Mr. Leather 2022. With the Pandemic feeling more solidly behind us, this year's IML promises to be one of the hottest and most fun events of the year.

Up Your Alley (San Francisco): July 28 - 31

If the Folsom Street Fair has become a bit too mainstream for you, then there's always the sub-event of Folsom, Up Your Alley, otherwise known as Dore Alley. Dore Alley is what Folsom was 15 years ago. It's a bit grittier, a bit raunchier, and a bit less "in the spotlight" than its big brother Folsom. Also, you're not likely to see any "breeders going to the zoo" like you might with Folsom.

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