Folsom Street Fair is the world’s largest celebration of leather, kink, and alternative sexuality—part street festival, part community fundraiser, and all-day spectacle. This year’s fair lands on Sunday, September 28, 2025, taking over several SoMa blocks on Folsom Street between 7th and 13th with multiple themed stages, demos, and vendor zones. Expect dense crowds, pro-grade sound, and a full day of performances and kink culture. Come ready to participate, respect consent culture, and support the nonprofits behind the fair.

If it’s your first time, this guide covers everything—outfits, packing lists, etiquette, and logistics—plus the 2025 weekend party lineup with links so you can plan Friday through late Sunday night. If you’re a Folsom veteran, you’ll find updates on venues, lineups, and where the energy peaks across the weekend.

What To Wear: Leather, Latex, Pups, and Playful Minimalism

Go with what feels good and fits your play style. Leather harnesses, jocks, chaps, cuffs, and boots are the classic Folsom look. Latex catsuits, singlets, and hoods are hotter than ever for photos and stage moments, though latex requires talc/silicone dressing aid and shade breaks. Pup players often build outfits around hoods, collars, and tails—comfy, expressive, and instantly social.

Comfort counts. The day is long and SoMa’s pavement is unforgiving; if you’re in heavy boots, break them in now. Sneakers are 100% acceptable and often the smartest move if you plan to bounce between stages and after-parties. San Francisco weather is famously variable; bring a light layer for later (thin bomber, mesh pullover, flannel tied to your belt) and plan sunscreen for exposed skin.

Pro tips for veterans:

• Swap to lighter harness hardware or perforated leather to breathe better in tight crowds.
• Consider LED or reflective accents for evening photos as golden hour hits Folsom’s west side.
• Pack a compact “repair kit”: extra rivets, a tiny hex key, and spare snaps for gear malfunctions.

Build Your Folsom Bag: Exactly What To Bring

Safety + hygiene: Condoms, lube (silicone for longevity; water-based for latex), single-use wipes, nitrile gloves, and a small zip bag for waste. If you’re latexed head-to-toe, include a microfiber cloth and silicone spray for shine.
Hydration + energy: Soft bottle or collapsible flask you can refill, electrolyte packets, and protein bars or jerky so you can push through the late-afternoon peak.
Connectivity: Portable battery pack (20,000 mAh if you’re filming a ton), short cable, and an AirTag or Tile in your bag if you’re crowd-navigating with friends.
Comfort + care: Sunglasses, SPF 30–50, lip balm, mini first-aid kit (bandages, blister pads), and a small hand towel.
Payments + ID: A photo ID and at least one physical card; some pop-ups still run better on card than cash, and lines are faster.

Veteran add-ons: earplugs for close-in demo viewing, a compact foldable fan, and a tiny carabiner for attaching your layer or cap to your belt.

The Fair Layout, Stages, and Best Times To Explore

This year’s fair spans Folsom Street from 7th to 13th, with multiple stages—drag, live music, bondage and kink demos—plus beer gardens and vendor rows. Early afternoon (noon–2 p.m.) is best for staging photos and exploring booths; 3–5 p.m. brings the densest crowds and wildest spectacle; after 5 p.m. you’ll catch golden-hour looks and last-chance demos before people peel off for dinners and after-parties.

Meet-up strategy: Pick a fixed landmark at each end (e.g., “north meet-up at Folsom & 7th, south meet-up at Folsom & 13th”) and set time windows. Cell data can jam near stages; use short text codes (“A=7th; B=9th; C=11th”) in advance.

Accessibility: The fair footprint runs on city streets with curb cuts at crosswalks; volunteers and medical are visible throughout. If you need a quieter space, step off the center of Folsom onto side streets to decompress.

Consent, Etiquette, and Photography

Folsom is sex-positive and consent-first. Ask before touching anyone or their gear. Don’t yank collars, pull tails, or touch skin/latex without a clear yes. For photos, a quick “Photo OK?” hand gesture works; if someone declines, smile and move on. Remember that demos are performances—give space to players and riggers, don’t block exits or emergency access, and follow volunteer instructions. These norms help keep the event safe and welcoming for everyone.

Veteran refreshers:

• No outing: don’t tag strangers by name or employer in public posts.
• Flash thoughtfully; ask if it’s safe during rope suspensions.
• If you witness boundary violations, flag a volunteer—don’t escalate on your own.

Getting There, Moving Around, and Staying Safe

Transit: BART and Muni get you closest without parking stress. If you rideshare, set drop-offs one to two blocks off Folsom to avoid gridlock.
Footwear and footing: Street surfaces can be uneven; boots help, but watch curbs and cable covers.
Heat/cold swings: September can flip from sunny to foggy—reapply sunscreen, then layer as temps dip.
Pickpocketing: Keep phones in zipped pockets or chest rigs, not rear pockets. Battery case + lanyard is a lifesaver in tight crowds.
Medical/volunteer teams: They’re approachable and present—use them for first aid, water pointers, or if you see something unsafe.

Your 2025 Party Weekend Planner

Folsom isn’t just Sunday. The city turns into a multi-day playground—here are the 2025 anchors and closers to lock into your plan. (Times, venues, and lineups below are pulled from official organizers/venues and current listings at press time.)

Friday, September 26

BRÜT: San Francisco Folsom 2025 — The big Friday kickoff at The Great Northern (10 p.m.–4 a.m.), featuring Ralphi Rosario, Dan Darlington, and Brian Urmanita. Expect gogo dancers, lasers, and a friendly crowd sliding from leather to sportswear.

Saturday, September 27

MAGNITUDE — The Saturday Night Main Event of Folsom Street Fair
SVN West (10 South Van Ness). Doors 9:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. A steam-themed, multi-level production with stacked sound and lights. DJs Pagano, GSP, and Russ Rich headline this year’s edition. If you want the high-octane, shoulder-to-shoulder energy Folsom is known for, this is the night.

SF Eagle: Cell Blok (Sat night) — Leather dive perfection at the city’s historic Eagle with a warehouse-grit vibe; a great pre- or post-Magnitude stop depending on your pace.

Sunday Day, September 28

Folsom Street Fair 2025 — The main event runs all afternoon across Folsom St from 7th–13th, with multiple themed stages and continuous live demos, drag, and music programming. Show up fed, hydrated, and ready for crowds.

SF Eagle 12th St Stage @ Folsom (Noon–6 p.m.) — A dedicated outdoor dance area with gogo talent and an epic four-hour set by Chris Cox (Thunderpuss); if you’re staging photos or looking for a high-energy mid-fair stop, this is it. “Party on the Patio – Folsom Edition” continues through early evening before the night parties.

Sunday Night Closers, September 28 → early Mon

REAL BAD 36 — 1015 Folsom, 8 p.m.–5 a.m. The Folsom capstone and charity dance marathon from Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation with Brady Prince (Chicago), Matt Suave (Denver), and Aleki (SF) across two rooms. It’s famously joyful, stacked with locals and visitors, and sells out annually—secure tickets in advance or through official channels.

DEVIANTS: Adult Arcade — The Official Folsom Street Fair Afterparty — The organizers’ official closing partygoes nine hours across five floors / three stages / two play spaces in a new expanded layout this year. Expect a wild, mixed crowd and high-production kink-friendly zones; this is the “house party” of record if you want to go deep into Monday morning.

Raven Bar Sunday Folsom Dance Party — A lower-pressure, high-fun throwback party option in SoMa; check the Raven Bar listings for their Sunday Folsom event and guest list. Great for a split itinerary if you’re pacing before or after a big room.

Tip for veterans: If you’re doing Magnitude → Fair → Real Bad/Deviants, build recovery pauses. Book a 5–7 p.m. dinner window Sunday between the fair and your closer, stash your outfit change near the venue, and carry electrolytes.

Where To Base Yourself and How To Pace

Stay walkable to SoMa if you can—near Market & 8th or south toward Bryant puts you within a 10–15 minute stroll to both the fair footprint and most venues (SVN West, 1015 Folsom, Raven). If you’re staying outside the core, consider BART to Civic Center or Muni to SoMa and ride-share back late. Lines spike right after the fair; wait 30–45 minutes for surge pricing to calm.

Fuel and rest: Book brunch/lunch no later than 10:30–11:15 a.m. Sunday so you hit the fair fed; plan an early dinner or protein snack between 5–7 p.m. before your night event. Veterans swear by a 20-minute power nap and a cold shower reset between the fair and closers—your legs will thank you.

Shopping and Vendors: Smart Buys on Sunday

Folsom’s vendor rows are prime for last-minute accessories: lightweight harnesses, new jocks, premium cuffs, and impact toys. If you’re latex-curious, chat up vendors about care (unscented talc/silicone lube, storage, and patching). Many designers now run tap-to-pay—but roaming Wi-Fi can glitch, so have a card handy. Try on early in the day before sweat and crowds make fitting a chore.

First-Timer Playbook

• Arrive on the early side to get your bearings, snap photos, and scout stages.
• Set a consent mantra: Ask. Listen. Respect the no.
• Hydrate hourly—especially if you’re in rubber or stacked leather.
• Pick two “must-see” demos or stages and leave the rest to serendipity.
• Plan one night event; doing two on Sunday is ambitious unless you’ve trained legs and lungs.

Veteran Upgrades

• Micro-itinerary: 45-minute loops: eastbound (stages/demos) → vendor pass → westbound (photo ops) → water/ice stop. You’ll see more and feel less drained.
• Foot care: Moleskin on toes/heels before boots. Apply Body Glide or talc under harness contact points.
• Phone discipline: Low-power mode at noon; charge at 50%; auto-upload disabled until hotel Wi-Fi.
• Community care: Bring a pocket pack of wipes to offer others—it’s a guaranteed smile and a tiny act of mutual aid.

Culture and Community: Why Folsom Matters

Folsom lives at the intersection of queer joy, sexual freedom, fundraising, and the historic resilience of the Leather & LGBTQ community in SoMa. The fair’s organizing body emphasizes an inclusive space centering BIPOC and LGBTQA2I+ folks and maintains deep ties to neighborhood history and anti-displacement efforts. Buying tickets to official events, tipping performers, and supporting local bars keeps the ecosystem healthy for another year.

Leather Week events like LeatherWalk kick off community energy days before the fair—if you arrive early, join and meet locals you’ll run into on Sunday and at night parties.

Your Quick-Plan Checklist

• Outfit: Primary look + backup layer; comfortable footwear.
• Bag: Condoms, lube, wipes, nitrile gloves, SPF, sunglasses, battery, snacks, ID, card.
• Timing: Noon arrival, 3–5 p.m. peak, golden hour photos after 5.
• Night: Choose your lane—Magnitude (Sat) → Fair (Sun) → REAL BAD or DEVIANTS (Sun night).

Final Word

Folsom is everything—community, kink, fashion, and freedom—compressed into one wild weekend. Respect consent, pace yourself, hydrate, and say hi to strangers. Whether you’re a first-timer wide-eyed on 9th Street or a veteran steering friends toward the next stage, Sunday is your main character moment. We’ll see you in SoMa—go slay.

Sources & Further Info (for easy planning)

• Official Folsom Street Fair details and mission (footprint, community info). 
• Secret San Francisco preview (stages, footprint overview).
• Magnitude 2025 (Sat night main event; DJs Pagano, GSP, Russ Rich; SVN West). 
• REAL BAD 36 (Sun night; 1015 Folsom; 8 p.m.–5 a.m.; line-up and ticket hub).
• DEVIANTS: Adult Arcade (official closing party; expanded format).
• SF Eagle @ Folsom and patio/after events (Sunday programming, DJ Chris Cox).
• BRÜT San Francisco Folsom 2025 (Friday opener at The Great Northern).