12 photos from Belgium’s Beyond Darklands festival

The annual European f*tish extravaganza known as Darklands took place in Belgium earlier this month (March 3-9). This year marked the festival’s 15th anniversary, and it offered a twist on its usual theme.

Darklands takes place in a big events space on the dockland quays in Antwerp. The setting provides a suitably industrial feel to the festival. However, last year, the organizers were notified that the section of the quays they normally occupy would be undergoing major engineering work. This was originally due to commence before the March 2026 event.

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They decided they would have to move the event further along the quays and rechristen it Beyond Darklands.

However, a few months later, they were notified that the engineering work had been postponed for a few weeks. The team could proceed with the festival in its regular home.

They decided to stick with the ‘Beyond Darklands’ theme that they’d already adopted but introduced some new elements, and will introduce more for the 2027 event. They say this year’s gathering was a step toward the full Beyond Darklands experience.

This year’s festival was expanded by building upwards. This included adding a first floor and an expansive downstairs play area. Or as they put it, “a raw and restless underworld where your imagination and lust can roam free.”

Hundreds of men in leather and rubberwear letting their lust roam free… well, you get the picture, right?

Areas to explore included the main stage, a cigar lounge, a leather stage, a bar from Eagle Amsterdam, a Darklands restaurant, several themed playrooms, showers, a sports and sneakers area, and many other dark corners. There was also a big market area for people wishing to stock up on gear.

“Fulfill a need”

Carlos Arocha, a visitor from Spain, told GayCities he was attending the event for a third year in a row. He praised the variety of activities and shows that take place during the festival.

“The diversity of men is impressive, and it’s very easy to connect with new people from many countries, all with so much to offer. And the best part at night is the darkroom area. It’s a paradise where desire and pleasure truly take hold of everyone who enters.

“There’s something for everyone, and it makes you think that if there were more places like this in the world, it would be a better place… a safe place where we can be who we want and fulfill a need or release stress and social pressures. I repeat: If there were more festivals like this, the world would be a better place. Not just for gay people, but also for straight and bisexual people.”

Darklands and Folsom Europe are among Europe’s biggest queer f*tish gatherings. The dates for Beyond Darklands in 2027 are not yet confirmed, so follow the event’s social media for updates.

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