UPDATE: Take a look at the comments section for even more events from our readers!
I’m personally extremely excited about this year’s activities! From coast to coast and around the world, it seems our kinky cohorts are pulling out all of the stops and presenting some super intriguing events for 2016! I wanted to compile a list for everyone to enjoy. A lot of these happen to occur in Los Angeles which is arguably a mecca of kinky activity but we’d love to hear about major BDSM events in your neck of the woods so make sure to let us know via email or in the comments below. I’ll be updating this list throughout the year.
JANUARY
Adult Video News Awards a.k.a. The AVNs
Originally reserved for porn stars and adult entertainment enthusiasts, this event now boasts a whole area for BDSM and kink education. Live performances by some of the best kink entertainers can be viewed as well as BDSM after parties. This event brings together all aspects of sex positive with the merging of kink, adult entertainment, and swingers.
FEBRUARY
Sin in the City
This Las Vegas event hosts the International Person of Leather contest but if that’s not your thing there is much much more. There’ll be workshops, socials, and of course play parties!
Dominant Training Series
Master Gabriel will be hosting the very first Dominant Training Series at Sanctuary LAX. This multi-series class will cover many subject on dominance and the skill sets there within. Are you an experienced Dom? This series will give you some eye opening new perspectives you may have never considered. You’re never too experienced to stop learning!
Westcoast Bound
Vancouver has a strong kink community. Join them and many other folks from around the world for Westcoast Bound. This event has multiple tracks for those with differing experience and skill levels and of course, play parties!
MARCH
Kinkfest 2016
Portland, Oregon will host this annual kinky convention. This is an all encompassing event covering many areas and orientations of kink. Vendors will be showing their wares in addition to a line up of classes.
MAY
DomCom LA
This is exactly what it sounds like; a convention for everything BDSM related. Hosted by Sanctuary LAX and some of the hottest FemDoms in the world, this event has everything you can think of including classes, vendors, a human pony show, and much much more! Make sure to come by and say hello to Dexx and anniebear at the Kink Weekly booth.
Frolicon
An Atlanta based convention-this educational oriented event hosts different creative tracks to choose from. Not just for BDSM, this is a melting pot of creativity and personal expression and the choice is up to you for which one you’ll decide on!
Camp Crucible
Though I have not yet attended, Camp Crucible has me extremely excited! It’s kinky camp, it can’t get better than that. Based in the woods in a secret location outside Washington D.C., this camp for adults hosts classes, games, auctions, and more! Clothing is optional and you can come for all or part of this nine day event.
AUGUST
Equus Pony Show
This event hosted by submissann is a dedicated human pony play competition. Come view all of the pony’s and their handlers as they compete for the top prize ribbon! Curious about pony play? This is a great event to watch experienced pony players in action.
Let us know about major kink events in your area!
Master Wes says
You missed the several of the major leather-centric events, here they are, with links to their websites:
South Plains Leather Fest
http://www.southplainsleatherfest.com/
Master/slave Conference (http://masterslaveconference.org/home/)
Great Lakes Leather Alliance
http://www.greatlakesleather.org
Northwest Leather Celebration
http://www.northwestleathercelebration.com
Northwest Leather Celebration
http://www.northwestleathercelebration.com
SouthEast LeatherFest
http://www.seleatherfest.com
Southwest Leather Conference
http://www.southwestleather.org
kinkweekly says
Thank you so much for sharing these Master Wes! Keep them coming!
Mitch says
Arizona Fetish Society Presents A Fetishball – http://www.ArizonaFetishSociety.com
Phoenix, AZ – Sept 3, 2016
Arizona Fetish Society is a partnership between several fetish, kink & alternative promotion groups to create a yearly large AZ fetish event
18+ – 2 Sides – 2 Stages for the biggest kink fetish event in Arizona!
Fetish Side – 3TEETH, Audio Virus, Amnestic, DJ Tristan
Kink Side – Bass Cadets, Sluggo, Nerd Rage, DJ Sharktapus (Rabbit Junk)
Live fetish performances throughout the event on both sides! Public bondage equipment for everyone and vendors on site. 2 Rooms of debauchery.
Richelieu says
Makes me feel almost Old Guard to be mentioning some of the oldest Leather events.
Folsom Street (Sept.25)
Dore Alley (July 31)
Those are just the day of the street fairs, there are events before and after also.
San Francisco of course with the center being where Folsom and Dore cross, more or less.
The roots of both are gay, but these are not gay events.
http://www.folsomstreetevents.org/
Leather Leadership Conference is already past this year. March 10-12 in 2017 in Atlanta. More focused on being a leader in the community than play.
http://leatherleadership.org/LivingLeadership/
Thunder in the Mountains. I have not attended, but what I’ve heard ahs been positive.
https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1765293
And perhaps the oldest event of all. International Mr. Leather in Chicago May 27. Again just the contest date, plenty before and after. This could still be considered a gay event. But if one is interested in Leather, especially the history it should be a gold mine. And since anyone attending would be in Chicago a trip to The Leather Archives and Museum would be in order http://www.leatherarchives.org/
http://www.imrl.com/
I’m pretty sure all these events are old enough that if they were people they could attend most events.
lilsubby2 says
there is a smaller-isn event in north carolina area-Debauchery
Karl Five says
Debauchery is being held on June 17-19, 2016 in Greensboro, NC
It may be small, but it’s well worth going, if you live in the North Carolina area.
More info may be found at http://www.debaucherync.com/
kinkweekly says
Hi Karl-thanks for the info! I have a good friend who was telling me about it as well. We’re always looking for cool events in other places besides LA where we are based. -anniebear