Folsom & leather season 2026
Late September is the high point of the leather calendar. Folsom season centers on San Francisco's Folsom Street Fair — one of the largest leather and fetish gatherings in the world — but the weeks around it fill with title contests, parties, classes, and fundraisers across the country. Here's how to find them.
What is Folsom season?
Folsom Street Fair takes place on the last Sunday of September in San Francisco and anchors a whole season of leather events. In the run-up and the weeks around it, communities across the US host their own weekends, socials, and fundraisers — so “Folsom season” is really a nationwide stretch, not a single day.
If you're new, it's one of the best times of year to find something near you: there's simply more happening, and much of it is welcoming to first-timers.
Finding Folsom-season events
Any Folsom-season events posted to Scene appear below automatically. Follow your city so you're notified as more get added, and subscribe to your calendar feed to keep the ones you save in sync.
Not seeing your city yet? The community fills the calendar — if you know an organizer running something, point them to Scene so it shows up here.
Going for the first time
Read each event's listing for dress codes, rules, and whether the address unlocks on RSVP. Consent and discretion are the baseline everywhere — the etiquette guide covers what to expect, and a local munch beforehand is a great way to meet people going.