If you've been curious about kink, leather, or this community and you're not sure whether this event is for you — it is. Austin Kink Weekend was built to educate and unify. The parties are real and the play spaces are open, but this is an education-first event. Most first-timers come for the classes and panels, stay for the people, and leave with skills and connections that stick.
You don't need to bring gear. You don't need to know anyone. You don't need to have experience. Show up as you are.
What the Weekend Looks Like
AKW runs Thursday through Sunday. Thursday and Friday tend to be quieter — smaller gatherings, early panels, and a good pace for getting your bearings. Saturday is the big day: a full schedule of classes, the Gear Market, title contests, and evening parties. Sunday winds things down.
Your schedule is yours. Sit in on a class about rope safety. Watch a leather title contest. Browse the Gear Market. Go to a party. Or just hang out in the hotel bar and talk to people. There's no wrong way to spend the weekend — and nobody's keeping track of how much you participate.
What to Wear
Street legal is required. Gear is encouraged. That's it.
In the hotel's public areas — the lobby, bar, restaurant, and hallways — you need to be dressed PG. That means covering buttocks, breasts, and genitals, and throwing on a cover-up if your outfit is revealing. The hotel staff has consented to see street-legal attire only. Keep toys in a bag when you're moving through public spaces — not hanging from your belt or visible on your person.
Inside AKW event spaces, the dress expectations vary by event. Specific details will be listed in the schedule for each event. If you're not sure, you're fine in whatever you walked in wearing.
Consent Is Structure, Not Just a Word
AKW takes consent seriously enough to build it into the event's infrastructure. When you purchase your ticket, you sign a conduct agreement that spells it out:
- Negotiate before you play. Consent means two or more people of legal age discuss and agree on their interactions before a scene begins.
- RED is the weekend safe word. Any participant can use it at any time to withdraw consent. When someone says RED, the scene stops — immediately or as soon as it's safe to do so.
- Dungeon Masters are present in play spaces and can witness consent negotiations. Their decisions in the dungeon are final.
- Ask before touching anyone — including hugs. Ask for pronouns if you're not sure.
- Report concerns to a Dungeon Master, Dungeon Coordinator, or any AKW staff member at the earliest safe opportunity.
This isn't a disclaimer bolted onto the back of a ticket. It's how the event runs.
Photography
You must have explicit consent before photographing anyone. Tell them where the photos will be used. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. Some areas are designated No Photography Zones with posted signage — if you take a photo in one of those spaces, you'll be asked to delete it. A second time and you may be asked to leave.
If you'd rather not be photographed at all, reasonable accommodation is available — just step out of the frame when others are having their photo taken. Large group and crowd shots in gathering areas may not be avoidable.
A Note on Scents
Some members of our community are highly affected by scented products. Please reduce or eliminate scented personal care products as much as you can.
Coming Solo
A lot of people do. AKW is a good place to find your people — not a place you need to already have them. The earlier events on Thursday and Friday are a natural starting point if you want to ease in. And if you feel lost at any point, stop by the registration table. If it's your first time, let them know — they'll help you understand the lay of the land.
The Agreements You're Signing
When you buy your ticket, you're agreeing to AKW's Code of Conduct and the event's Agreement and Release of Liability, which includes the conduct agreement, photography agreement, and refund policy. Read them. They exist to protect you and everyone around you.
Violations can result in removal from the event — and severe infractions can mean you're not welcome back. AKW also reserves the right to decline admission without stating a reason. Legal ID is required.
