The fetish festival Darklands is taking place this week for the fifteenth time at the Waagnatie in Antwerp. Every year, Darklands attracts thousands of visitors, and this year, the festival is almost completely sold out. Among the attendees are many first-time visitors. Many of them are overwhelmed by the packed schedule and numerous side activities. With these tips, your first visit to Darklands will be a success.
Prepare Yourself and Get Tested
Darklands is a sex-positive event and has been encouraging its visitors for years to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) beforehand. Before coming to Antwerp, it might be useful to check in on both your mental and physical health, take an STI test, and make sure you have access to PrEP. After all, you'd have to be quite celibate-minded to experience Darklands completely sex-free.
It is also recommended to bring any necessary medications, such as PrEP medication or other personal prescriptions. Keep in mind that some medications may require a prescription in Belgium, even if they are freely available in other countries.
Visit the Recon Café
On Wednesday afternoon, Darklands opens its doors, allowing you to soak in the atmosphere even without a festival ticket. The Recon Café remains freely accessible throughout the event with its own program. It’s a great place to meet other visitors in a relaxed setting and purchase official Darklands merchandise.
Attend (Different) Socials
During the festival, there are social gatherings for almost every fetish. Whether you're into leather, rubber, puppies, youngsters, naked play, creators, or daddy-son dynamics, there’s a social event for you. Most of these take place in and around the Mister Riegillio stage.
Visitors are welcomed with a free drink and the chance to meet like-minded people who share their passion. If you're attending Darklands alone for the first time, these socials are a fantastic way to make new friends. These connections can extend beyond Darklands and come in handy if you plan to attend other fetish events, such as Folsom Berlin.
It's also highly recommended to explore new socials and fetishes that you may not yet be familiar with. Socials provide a comfortable space to discover a new fetish in a welcoming environment.
Manage your budget wisely so you can fully enjoy Darklands.
Darklands also features a Gear Market where you can try on and purchase fetish gear and clothing directly from various brands and vendors.
New this year: purchases of your drinks must be made using your Darkband, a chip wristband that you must top up with your bank card or cash. To keep your spending under control, it’s best to set a fixed budget in advance and load that amount onto a debit card instead of using a credit card. This prevents unexpectedly high expenses and credit card debts later on.
Additionally, each time you reload your Darkband, there is a banking fee. To avoid multiple fees, it’s better to load a sufficient amount in one go instead of making several small top-ups.
Take Regular Breaks
A first visit to Darklands, especially during the parties, can be overwhelming due to the intense stimuli. If you need a moment to recover or simply relax, you can visit the low-stimulation space to unwind.
New this year: The low-stimulation space is now located at the entrance, near the Recon Café, rather than in the food vendor hallway.
Consent and Boundaries Matter
If you decide to engage in sexual activities at Darklands or elsewhere, it’s crucial to communicate your sexual boundaries and give explicit consent for any acts.Also, respect the boundaries of others. If you see people engaging in play and they are not open to others joining, respect their space. Darklands is a sex-positive environment, and ensuring mutual respect for boundaries is key.
If your boundaries are ever crossed, notify the event organizers or speak to one of the volunteers—they are there to assist you.
Plan Your Visit in Advance
Before arriving at Darklands, check out the event schedule on the official website. Like in previous years, the program is packed with various shows, socials, masterclasses, and other activities.
There is so much to do that having a plan is essential. Use a planner tool to map out the must-see events, including the parties outside of Waagnatie.
Party Without Your Smartphone
During the parties, leave your smartphone in your locker. This respects the privacy of other visitors. Remember, filming is strictly prohibited in the darkrooms.Unlike previous years, you no longer need your phone to purchase tokens, as all transactions are now made through your Darkband wristband. You might still want to bring a small pouch for essentials like lubricant or medication. Otherwise, simply enjoy the event in the moment—without staring at a screen.
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