Darklands 2025 was the last edition of this fetish and kink festival in Antwerp in Belgium under that name. From 2026, the event attracting mostly gay, bi, pan and queer men will be called Beyond Darklands. In previous iterations it was called LeatherPride Belgium and Leather & Fetish Pride Belgium. ‘Darklands‘ was the name of of the day fair, but came to be used for the whole event. And yes, tehe venue is still the Waagnatie. 

(Beyond) Darklands has been a success for years. While Berlin is top of mind for kink and fetish initiatives for men who have sex with men, Belgium, Brussels and Antwerp know how to don things. Even if the amount of gay cruising bars and similar space has shrunk in recent years, ‘fetish’ still scores. PornHub says ‘fetish’ is the number 1 entry on its site in Belgium. On Grindr, twinks rule. The Mister Gay Belgium contest also attracts quite a lot of twinks. 

But let’s talk Beyond Darklands. On Thursday 3 July 2025, at 8 PM CET, it announced its plans for 2026. 

3 to 9 March

The main news of the day are the dates. Beyond Darklands 2026 will take place from Tuesday 3 to Monday 9 March. Tickets are for sale., On Thursday evening 3 July, the tickets website was difficult to access due to a large interest. 

In levels

Beyond Darklands will take place As the Waagnatie parking lot will be unavailable due to large-scale works, Beyond Darklands will not be able to put extra tents and other appendices. 

So, Beyond Darklands will work upwards and will create levels or floors. Jay, documentary maker and face of the event in an introductory video, reassures the floors will be accessible for Darklings with reduced mobility. 

Hotels

Beyond Darklands works in close collaboration with a range of hotels across Antwerp, offering accommodation to suit various levels of comfort and budget. By choosing one of the official host hotels, visitors benefit from staying near the event venue while enjoying a streamlined booking experience and, in many cases, exclusive offers.

Each partner hotel has its own dedicated webpage where guests can submit a booking request. In most cases, the hotel will reply within three working days to confirm availability and finalise the reservation. Should there be no response within that period, guests are advised to follow up by phone or e-mail, using the contact details provided on the hotel’s page.

Prices range from €105 to €329 per night, with all hotels located between 1.2 and 3.5 kilometres from the Darklands venue. Four hotels include breakfast in the room rate, while seven do not. Six hotels offer gym facilities, and one features a sauna.

Signature hotels

Among the standout options are the ‘Signature Hotels‘. 

Moxy Antwerp provides a dynamic lifestyle experience with a design-led open lobby, modern décor, and a social atmosphere. Located 3.5 kilometres from the venue, it requires a minimum stay of two nights, with rates between €105 and €139. 

A-STAY Antwerp becomes an exclusive retreat for Darklands attendees, with the entire property reserved for guests of the event. It is situated 3.1 kilometres away and has a minimum stay of four nights, with rates ranging from €159 to €209. 

The Holiday Inn Express Antwerp City North is just 1.2 kilometres from the venue and is ideally placed near the city’s nightlife and the renowned club The Boots. It offers a four-night minimum stay at a fixed rate of €209.

Partner hotels

Beyond these, a number of additional partner hotels are available. 

Aparthotel Adagio Antwerp City Centre offers apartment-style living and is located 2.9 kilometres from the venue. The minimum stay is two nights, with rooms priced at €140. 

Hotel Jamingo, situated 2.7 kilometres away near Antwerp-Central Railway Station, provides easy access to key city attractions, with rates between €114 and €145 and a two-night minimum.

Holiday Inn Express Antwerp City Centre offers a contemporary, efficient stay 3.4 kilometres from the venue, with rates from €124 to €164. 

Premier Suites Antwerp combines the independence of apartment living with hotel-style services. Located 2.8 kilometres away, it requires a two-night minimum stay and offers rooms priced between €144 and €169.

Also near the central station is Hampton by Hilton Antwerp Central Station, situated 2.9 kilometres from the venue. It has a two-night minimum and similar pricing. 

Lindner Hotel Antwerp, a 4-star superior property just steps from Antwerp-Central Railway Station, requires no minimum stay and offers accommodation from €179 to €229. 

Hotel Indigo Antwerp City Centre, known for its vibrant boutique style and modern comfort, is located 2.6 kilometres from the venue and offers rooms between €164 and €209 with a two-night minimum.

For those seeking a luxury experience, Sapphire House Antwerp is situated in a historic city-centre building. This 5-star boutique hotel is located 1.7 kilometres from the venue and offers premium rooms with no minimum stay, priced between €269 and €329.

Whether visitors are after stylish comfort, apartment flexibility, or five-star elegance, the official host hotels of Beyond Darklands ensure a wide range of accommodation options to suit every preference — all within easy reach of the festival.

Antwerp Pride 2025

• ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 | Opening Party at OLT Rivierenhof Deurne on Wednesday 6 August.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 | Pride Comedy Show at Theater Het Klokhuis on Thursday 7 August.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 | Post-parade Love United Festival at Cockerillkaai line-up.
• 2025 Antwerp Pride Parade keeps well-known route.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 | Change Station at Antwerp-Central’s Perszaal offers safe haven to change into pride outfit.
• VIDEO | Red Sebastian’s ‘Slay’ designated official anthem for Antwerp Pride 2025.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 THEME | Do Not Just March.
• Antwerp Pride 2025’s theme: “Do not just march! Listen. Understand. Commit.”.
• Antwerp Pride 2025 from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August.

Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2025

• PROGRAMME | Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2025 from 2 to 30 August.
• ANTWERP QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL 2025 | ‘QueerPassion’, inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach.
• Antwerp Queer Arts Festival broadens horizon to Bruges and Leuven.

Darklands 2025-2026

• Darklands organiser calls out unnecessary rules other events aren’t subjected to.
• GAY ANTWERP | Darklands 2026 becomes Beyond Darklands.
• GAY ANTWERP | Darklands 2026 changes name and concept, but keeps Waagnatie as venue.
• Darklands 2025 aims at actively welcoming FLINTA people.
• DARKLANDS 2025 | Programme & schedule highlights.
• Darklands 2025 drops token payment system in favour of top-up Darkband.
• ANTWERP | Darklands to leave Waagnatie after 2025.
• Darklands 2025 from Tuesday 25 February until Monday 3 March.
• Darklands 2025 theme: ‘Darklands Glows’, stays at Waagnatie until 2030.

The latest on LGBTQIA+ events such as prides in Belgium

• Limburg Pride 2025 prepares for its first march in Hasselt.
• Mechelen to organise a Pride Week from 2026?.
• Bruges Pride Parade 2025 on Saturday 14 June.
• Mons Pride 2025 on Saturday 31 May.
• BRUSSELS | Pride Museum takes over MIMA from 15 June to 15 July with ‘What About Queer?’.
• NAMUR PRIDE 2025 | Pride Day, Solidarity March and community celebration.
• BRUSSELS PRIDE 2025 | Forbidden Colours calls out EU pinkwashing as Commission participates in pride but abandons LGBTQIA+ in Hungary.
• Pride Express links Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp to Pride Amsterdam on Saturday 2 August 2025.
• Leuven Pride 2025 on Saturday 27 September.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 THEME | Do Not Just March.
• Darklands organiser calls out unnecessary rules other events aren’t subjected to.
• Queer March Ghent 2025 from 1 to 31 March.
• Belgium to host Eurovision Song Contest 2026? But in which city?.
• PinX LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in Ghent and in Antwerp from 29 January to 2 February 2025.
• ANTWERP 2025-2030 | City government agreement supports bid for EuroGames in Antwerp in 2028.
• Liège Pride 2025 on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August.
• CHARLEROI PRIDE | Three days of inclusivity and festivities.