A famous drag queen’s guide to surviving and thriving at San Francisco’s Folsom Street Fair

This year's Folsom Street Fair hits San Francisco on Sunday, September 27

Mark Mark
Sep 19, 2026 - 20:00
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A famous drag queen’s guide to surviving and thriving at San Francisco’s Folsom Street Fair
A sea of people look up on a crowded street at Folsom Street Fair. Among them, Juanita MORE! stands.
“Where’s Juanita?” / Photo by Gooch

In 1984, Folsom Street Fair started as an alternative event that gave the leather community a chance to express their lifestyle in the San Francisco neighborhood they lived in.

At the time, rents were starting to increase and locals were starting to be displaced. So the community sought to claim their place in SoMa. It was home to over 30 queer-owned and operated establishments all located within just a few blocks. At night, when the streets closed, there would be a “sidewalk sale” of men in leather cruising. The streets Ringold and Dore offered a bit of “open” privacy for sex play. The more recent condos on Dore now cover the parking lot that once was my favorite playground as a kid.

Now, more than 40 years later, the fair still thrives as the world’s largest kink event, donating over $7.2 million since its inception when SOMA was known as “Megahood.”

And good news: They’re about to do it all over again at year’s event on Sunday, September 27.

Pack your bags, we’re going on an adventure

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Folsom Street Fair

Largest leather festival in the world

San Fransisco Leather District

I’ve attended and performed at many events over the years and might have a few tips to help the drag queens amongst us survive and thrive.

1. Wear what you want, no matter how enormously impractical.

Juanita MORE! poses in a futuristic black costume alongside a man in a white dress gown at Folsom Street Fair.
Folsom Street Fair – Photo by Gooch

You see, I also have an enormous fetish — for clothes. Throughout the year, these big fair events make me want to wear something extravagant. Ana Matronic, the former Scissor Sister, once dubbed me “the Muhammad Ali of Drag” for being able to carry so much weight in fabric down the street — while balancing something on my head that really shouldn’t be sitting there.

2. Be yourself.

A shirtless man dressed as a gladiator walks among the crowd at Folsom Street Fair.
Shutterstock

Remember that Folsom Street Fair is an opportunity to express yourself, and, most importantly, treat everyone else with the respect they deserve. So please don’t feel self-conscious.

And certainly, don’t make others feel that way. These are the things our community is striving to overcome.

3. Bring a fan or umbrella.

An older man in a mesh tank top holds a fan in front of his face and smiles.
Shutterstock

It’s usually the peak of warm weather in San Francisco and you don’t need your face to melt off.

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4. Bring an escort, preferably a cute one.

Juanita MORE! poses with a young man in fishnet stocks and a leather top at Folsom Street Fair.
Folsom Street Fair – Photo by Gooch

For fetching cocktails and crowd clearing. The lines are long and the throngs massive.

5. Wear leather.

Juanita More! smiles with Mr. International Rubber and other Folsom Street Fair attendees in leather harnesses outdoors.
Instagram/@missmore8

Dress in theme and wear nothing more than a harness if that’s what you desire… but remember that sunblock is your friend.

6. Don’t wear 150 yards of crinoline under your skirt.

Juanita MORE! walks down the street in a brilliant pink and orange gown, looking over her shoulder.
Courtesy of Juanita MORE!

The only thing mine attracted was empty beer cans and used condoms.

7. Consent is Sexy

A blonde man in a tanktop stands in front of a peach background with his hands on his face in shock.
Shutterstock

8. Safety pin your house keys to your bra or jockstrap.

Juanita MORE!, in drag, fastens a leather hood on a man.
Courtesy of Juanita MORE!

Just in case you lose everything else.

9. Stay hydrated.

A young shirtless man stands on the desert pouring water on his face.
Shutterstock

Alcohol is dehydrating, as is the sun and sex. So please keep a water bottle handy at all times.

10. Make sure you and your friends are having fun.

Two Folsom Street Fair attendees smile, one wearing a wig made of snakes and a drag mustache.
Shutterstock

But remember that moderation is good. You will thank yourself Monday morning

11. Organize a time and place to check in safely with your friends.

A traffic light is pictured in front of a blue sky with a street sign reading "Folsom."
Shutterstock

It’s easy to get lost in the crowds and remember that cellphone service is not what it should be when there are 100,000 people packed into a few blocks.

12. Don’t forget that this is a non-profit event with the proceeds going to charity.

Unidentified people at the annual gay festival Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco, everyone is happy, having fun, and wear Carnival clothing
Shutterstock

Don’t dodge the entrance fees and donate whenever you can afford.

You can learn more about this year’s Folsom Street Fair here.

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