Big Spring Events: Jean Bardot – Minneapolis fetish model, domme and face of the annual Rubber Ball USA events – will be Mistress of Ceremonies at this year’s German Fetish Ball in Berlin

BIG SPRING EVENTS: 5 MAJOR FET/ALT GATHERINGS IN UK, EU & USA

Many fetish folk probably consider that spring has only well and truly sprung when we reach the period from late April to early June when a concentrated sequence of big spring events are staged annually by some of the fetish/alternative scene’s biggest international players. And this year we’re possibly more into Shrödinger’s party territory than ever, with three of the big five events over this period bumping up against each other in the last ten days of May, in a way that might well put a strain on partying purses and possibly lead to some tough choices having to be made!

The big spring events season starts in London on April 26 with Torture Garden’s Birthday Ball — just a single party this year but with increased venue capacity. It’s followed on May 23 by a head-on clash of two weekends (though admittedly on different continents): Florida Fetish Weekend on May 22-25 and BoundCon in Munich on May 23-25. Then, after a mere couple of days break, German Fetish Ball Weekend kicks off in Berlin on May 28, running until sunrise on June 01. Finally, less than a week later, goth-fest WGT (Wave-Gotik-Treffen) reconvenes in Leipzig for four days on June 06-09.

Below, we’ll summarise what each of these major annual events has announced so far about their respective line-ups. But please bear in mind that while the overall dates are set, individual line-up details may change and shows etc may be added after this article is published. So be sure to use the links below each event listing to check events’ own web pages for the most up-to-date info available.

Top image: Jean Bardot – Minneapolis fetish model, domme and face of the annual Rubber Ball USA events – will be Mistress of Ceremonies at this year’s German Fetish Ball in Berlin (photo: Jean Bardot)

04/26 London: Electrowerkz
TORTURE GARDEN BIRTHDAY BALL

Baby Lame, left, will be on MC duties at Torture Garden’s Birthday Ball, introducing performances including a TG debut fashion show by Unlikely Studios, rightBaby Lame, left (photo: @no.one.studio.london), will be on MC duties at Torture Garden’s Birthday Ball, introducing performances including a TG debut fashion show by Unlikely Studios, right (model: Meta Morph; photo: Toyin Saíd)

This year’s single TG Birthday Ball, which kicks off our big spring events listings, will transform the increased-capacity, eight-room Electrowerkz into a home of iconic TG memories, with homages to previous events and spectacular outfits. Attractions announced include the TG debut fashion show by Unlikely Studios, plus Charlie Bouquett & Kaos Shibari’s Witch Trial Shibari Spectacular, Gh0re.Grl Flame & Flesh performance, Mei Lee pole performance, MC Baby Lame, Torture Garden DJs, Speaksleazy club within a club and relocated Couples room.

Expect the usual TG tiered entry times, strict dresscode and etiquette requirements. Themewise, TG say they did consider a ‘Monster’s Kink’ theme to celebrate the Unlikely Studios appearance, but settled instead on inviting guests to recreate a favourite look or create their most memorable outfit yet. But, they add, if you do have a big monster/creature look you’re dying to bring to the party, then feel free to go for that too!

torturegarden.com/tg-birthday-ball
facebook.com/events/tg-birthday-ball

05/22-25 Ft Lauderdale FL: various locations
FLORIDA FETISH WEEKEND (ALTER EGO 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY)

Big Spring Events: Eight of the performers who’ll be appearing during the four days and nights of partying hosted by Fetish Factory for May’s Florida Fetish Weekend, aka Alter Ego 30 Year AnniversaryEight of the performers who’ll be appearing during the four days and nights of partying hosted by Fetish Factory for May’s Florida Fetish Weekend, aka Alter Ego 30 Year Anniversary

The 30th Anniversary of Fetish Factory’s legendary gathering — a stalwart of the big spring events scene — is also known as Florida Fetish Weekend but has been rebranded for some social media purposes. FF is currently stating two different start dates depending on which bit of its own publicity info you trust. Based on the individual event ticketing info published, the actual partying opens with the Beat & Greet (Thu May 22), followed by the strict dresscode 30 Year Anniversary Crystal Ball (23) — both at The Venue, Wilton Manors.

Then there’s Mecca of Kink at Flamingo Room Pompano (24), followed (25) by the Pervy Pool Party (daytime) and Total Hause Take Over + Bunker Rave + After Party (night-time), all at the Sheraton Suites event hotel. Performers include Lola Noir, Miss Fetilicious, Val Vampyre and more (see above). There are separate tickets for each event, or the All Access Pass that also provides eligibility to book rooms in the weekend ‘100% Pure Fetish Hotel’ (subject to availability).

ticketspice.com/anniversary-weekend-30
facebook.com/events/anniversary-weekend

05/23-25 Munich: Zenith & Kesselhaus
BOUNDCON 20TH ANNIVERSARY

A bondage suspension performance during a recent BoundCon convention in Munich, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this MayA bondage suspension performance during a recent BoundCon convention in Munich, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this May

Yes, the 2025 edition of Munich’s famous BDSM/fetish convention clashes head-on with Florida Fetish Weekend. But these are very different types of event (Florida’s solid partying versus Munich’s retail convention mix), so the overlap is not such bad news as in earlier times when, under previous ownership, Boundcon quite brazenly clashed with the German Fetish Ball Weekend.

The 20th Anniversary event at Zenith features a three-day BDSM/fetish fair with more than 100 exhibitors, stage performances, and more, with a choice of regular or VIP tickets for single days or all three. For bondage fans, there are also currently 17 photo shoots where you can photograph performers at €50 a pop, and ten workshops you can attend at €80 each. Saturday 24 also offers the weekend’s big After Party hosted by SubRosaDictum at Kesselhaus, featuring performances by Prague’s BoomCats and Nikita Klosewood from Paris.

boundcon.com/en
partyticket.de/kesselhaus

05/28–06/01 Berlin: various locations
GERMAN FETISH BALL (GFB) WEEKEND

Big Spring Events: Dutch fetish model Lara Aimée shows off some of the leather pieces available from her own label, Night Edge – one of the fashion shows scheduled for May’s German Fetish Ball in BerlinDutch fetish model Lara Aimée shows off some of the leather pieces available from her own label, Night Edge – one of the fashion shows scheduled for May’s German Fetish Ball in Berlin (photo: @josefienhoekstra)

The GFB Weekend’s Kinky Cocktails opener on May 28 is free, with no enforced dresscode (venue TBA). It’s followed (29) by two daytime cruises: the Spree Cruise (already sold-out) and a new Femdom Cruise only for dommes and their servants, and currently with a waiting list to test demand. That night (29) the GFB’s first strict dresscode party, Sonic Boom, takes place at Matrix, where the GFB started. The two-day German Fetish Fair kicks off at Magazin in der Heeresbäckrei on Friday (30) with 45 exhibitors, and that night sees the Fetish Guerilla Revolution party at KitKat.

After Saturday’s second Fair day (31), the German Fetish Ball headlining party returns to Spindler und Klatt. MC’d by Jean Bardot, it’ll present shows by Ada Zanditon Couture, Alyssa Norman’s Blacklickorish Latex, Myriel Monastic’s new latex label LX.NSTY and Lara Aimée’s label Night Edge, plus more. Individual advance tickets are available for all events except FetishGuerilla; for that you’ll have to queue outside KitKat to pay @40 on the door, or buy the GFB VIP Ticket that covers Fetish Guerilla and all other events except the cruises.

german-fetish-ball.de/en
deinetickets.de/event/gfb/

06/06-09 Leipzig: various locations
WAVE-GOTIK-TREFFEN (WGT)

Kite is one of the 152 music acts already confirmed for June’s four-day WGT festival in Leipzig (photo: Sandro Griesbach)Kite is one of the 152 music acts already confirmed for June’s four-day WGT festival in Leipzig (photo: Sandro Griesbach)

At time of writing, some 152 artists were 100% confirmed to appear at this year’s four-day German goth-fest. No specific programme details have yet been announced for this, the 32nd WGT. However, its website does have an active order form where you can request four-day tickets, Obsorge (camping) tickets and parking passes.

wave-gotik-treffen.de/english/
facebook.com/WaveGotikTreffen