The Best Gay Fetish Events in the USA

For those in the LGBTQ+ community interested in exploring fetish events, the USA hosts a variety of exciting gatherings. These are the events where you can really express yourself. 

Many of these events will have dress codes so you may wish to peruse our list of gay adult stores and get your outfit sorted. There’s nothing worse than showing up at one of these events and getting turned away because you forgot your harness.

Folsom Street Fair, San Francisco

Held annually in September, this world-famous event celebrates the leather and kink communities with a fair featuring performances, booths, DJs and cruisey vibes. It draws hundreds of thousands of attendees from around the globe, making it the largest leather and fetish event in the world. The fair supports numerous nonprofits.

Up Your Alley, San Francisco

This event, often seen as the more hardcore sibling of Folsom Street Fair, occurs in late July. It’s designed for leather and BDSM enthusiasts, offering a more intimate yet equally electrifying atmosphere with plenty of booths, vendors, and performances.

Folsom Street East, New York

Folsom Street East is the largest outdoor fetish street festival on the East Coast, held annually in June. It features live performances, vendor stalls, and a welcoming atmosphere for the leather and kink community. Inspired by its San Francisco namesake, this event brings together fetish enthusiasts for a day of fun and frolics.

IML (International Mr. Leather), Chicago

Typically held over Memorial Day weekend, IML celebrates the leather community through contests and parties. It culminates in the crowning of the International Mr. Leather (could it be you?), bringing together participants and spectators from around the world.

MAL (Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend), Washington D.C.

Taking place in January, MAL offers a dynamic environment for leather and fetish enthusiasts. The event includes a variety of social activities, workshops, and the Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather contest in the US capital. It’s what the Founding Fathers would have wanted.

CLAW (Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend), Cleveland

Held in April, CLAW is a volunteer-run event that features workshops, vendor markets, and social gatherings. It emphasizes education and charity, with all proceeds going to LGBTQ+ and health organizations.

Further reading: The History of America's Gay Bathhouses
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