Darklands
Antwerp Fetish Festival 2025

Darklands Antwerp Fetish Festival 2025

Darklands Antwerp is one of the world’s largest fetish festivals, offering a safe haven for adventurous gay men who are looking to expand their sexual horizons. Epic day and night parties await!

• Visiting Antwerp for Darklands? Book your hotel in the centre and take the tram or taxi to the host venue. The Hotel Julien is a “Superb” rated 4-star hotel located in the heart of the city with delicious breakfast options and a relaxed vibe.

The Event

• Next edition: Tuesday February 25th – Monday March 3rd, 2025  – 15th Anniversary Edition.
• Darklands Antwerp Festival was originally held as part of the Belgium Leather and Fetish Pride event and has snice eclipsed the fetish pride to become the defacto fetish party of the Season.
• New additions to the 2025 edition include a doubling in size of the dancefloor in Hall 1 at the Mr Leather Stage and a larger dark room.  The venue has also promised improved air conditioning when it gets HOT!.
• Organisers also promise a new stage, three times the size of the 2024 edition.

Where is Darklands Antwerp Held?

• Darklands Antwerp is held at the Waagnatie exhibition, your Fetish HQ for the week.
• Several other night events and parties take place across the gay bars and clubs of Antwerp.
• Waagnatie is an 8 minute drive from the bars in Antwerp’s old town. Check out the closest hotels.

The Exhibition Centre

• Waagnatie is a cavernous exhibition centre in Antwerp, offering the ideal location for Darklands. It has all the perfect ingredients for the ultimate party; a thumping sound and light system and post-industrial feel that positively encourages a cruisy atmosphere. This year the event comes with a new outdoor area, complete with a bar and seating to enjoy the sun.
• As well as offering a place to meet other visitors or catch-up with new friends, Darklands Antwerp features free fetish demonstrations and workshops, the fetish market, and a great lineup of shows, porn actors, DJs, and performers.
• For a totally different experience, book your stay at The Hotel August, a completely reformed old seminary, beautifully restored featuring deluxe rooms and high-end amenities.

Darklands Antwerp Highlights

• A pop-up visitor center and bar hosted by Mister B. Collect tickets merchandise, have a drink and a small snack.
• Camp K9 will be open during the parties along with the European Puppy & Handler competition.
• The ‘Power Dynamics Lounge’, a separate space with limited visitors for masters and slaves to do some serious play.

Circuit Parties

• Thursday 27th February, 2025  – Kick start your weekend early at Mayhem.
• Friday 28th February, 2025  – The return of the epic Fusion Friday night event.
• Saturday 1st March, 2025 – Rage, The biggest party of the weekend.
• Sunday 2nd March, 2025 – FURY – Darkland’s ultimate closing party
• Thursday – Sunday  – The Darklands Antwerp After Parties at The Boots and Dance After Parties at Club Random (Fri to Sun)

Fetish City Walk

• Awaiting dates – Antwerp is a small but wonderful city. Full time city guide Tanguy Ottomer is Antwerp’s most famous tour guide. He will take you on a 2 hour walk throughout the city and past some of its highlights, but also its best kept secrets.
• The tour starts at the Central Station and ends at Darklands where you will be offered a complimentary drink. You’re encourage to wear your gear open and proud.

How to get to Waagnatie

• The easiest way to get to the event venue “Waagnatie” from Antwerp Central Station is by taking the tram.
• Coming from ‘Antwerp Central Station’, take tram 15 (direction ‘Linkeroever’). Get off at the stop ‘Meir’.
• There, take the escalator to the ground level and follow the arrows towards ‘Sint Katelijnevest’. On ‘Sint Katelijnevest’ you’ll find a stop called ‘Meirbrug’. From there you can take tram 7 (direction ‘Eilandje’).
• Get off at the stop ‘Brouwersvliet’. From there it’s a 750m walk to Rijnkaai 150 (Waagnatie).

Antwerp’s gay scene

• Antwerp has a bustling gay scene with cute cafes, stylish bars and lots of hot guys ready to party. The clubs are are world famous. Cargo Club (Red and Blue) hosts some of the biggest gay parties in Europe. The HIM Circuit parties are the stuff of legend and the Tea dances at Pannekoek will satisfy those party urges.
• The city is also home to some hot cruise clubs such as The Boots and popular gay saunas.
• Although Antwerp’s famous pop-up gay party venues are spread out  across the city, most of the busy gay bars and restaurants are located in Antwerp city center, close to the famous Town Square (Grote Markt) and the Museum Aan de Stroom (M.A.S.).

Popular Venues during Darklands

• BONAPARTE: Dive into the dynamic world of drag shows, karaoke, and vibrant music at BONAPARTE. Located at Grote Markt 21, it’s the go-to spot for a lively Sunday night or any fun-filled evening.
• CAFE DELUX: Nestled in Melkmarkt 18, CAFE DELUX stands as a beloved local hub. Start your day with a morning coffee or unwind with drinks throughout the day.
• CARGO CLUB: Experience Antwerp’s renowned dance scene at CARGO CLUB. Known for its iconic Red&Blue parties, this club offers a diverse array of events.
• CLUB RANDOM: At Geulincxstraat 28, CLUB RANDOM invites those who live to dance. As Antwerp’s top dance destination, it’s perfect for extending your night after Darklands.
• COCK: COCK, located at Nieuwstad 6, is a chic wine bar in Central Antwerp. Enjoy a selection of fine wines, mingle with locals and fetish enthusiasts.
• MARIE-ANTOINETTE: Discover the charm of MARIE-ANTOINETTE at Oudevaartplaats 8. This beautifully adorned bar offers delightful snacks from Danny’s menu in the heart of Antwerp.
• MISTER B: A must-visit on your Antwerp journey, MISTER B at Falconplein 14, awaits. Meet Steve, Bart & Tim in this remarkable shop near the red light district.
• REFILL: Tucked in Kleine Koraalberg 8, REFILL is a cozy, gay-owned bistro in a historic setting. Enjoy their spacious outdoor terrace on sunny days.
• THE BOOTS: Renowned as Belgium’s premier Fetish bar, THE BOOTS at Van Aerdtstraat 22, offers an immersive experience for over 40 years. A haven for fetish lovers, it features a unique mix of cruising, drinks, and play.
• TWILIGHT: TWILIGHT, situated at Nieuwstad 4, is a gem in Gay Antwerp. This classic Belgian café, adjacent to Cock, serves a vast selection of beers, wines, soft drinks, and snacks.

Where to stay?

• Hotels in the old town centre if the city are the most expensive. Staying near the station is a less expensive option.
• The north of the city offers some great hotels with great rates if you book early. It is also home to some of the bigger gay bars.
• Getting around most of Antwerp is pretty easy with many pedestrianised streets and you can catch a tram to most places.
• The gay bars and clubs in Antwerp are a little spread out.

Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action.

Hotel Rubens,   Hilton Antwerp,   Hotel Julien,    T Sandt,