General festival information

Always keep an eye on your drink and never leave it unattended. Even in a safe space like Beyond Darklands, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings.

Trust your instincts, look out for each other, and don’t hesitate to reach out to staff or security if something feels off.

Free condoms, lube, and gloves in multiple sizes are available at various locations, including the entrances to the playrooms.

No. The Ultimate Alpha Pass includes a personal large locker in the dedicated Alpha changing area. There’s no need to order one separately.

No worries! Please email us at cr@darklands.be with the relevant details (name, ticket, email address used, etc.), and we will do our best to retrieve your lost tickets.

Antwerp is ready to welcome you to the annual Beyond Darklands Festival. Whether you’re arriving by public transport, car, bike, or on foot, you’ll find Waagnatie Expo & Events conveniently located near the city centre at:

Rijnkaai 150, 2000 Antwerpen

• By tram or bus: Tram 7 and 24, or bus 17 get you within easy walking distance.
• By train: Trams and buses run regularly from Antwerp-Central station.
• By car: Paid parking is available in the neighbourhood of Waagnatie. Keep in mind Antwerp’s low-emission zone rules. Due to works, the parking in front of Waagnatie won’t be available anymore in 2026.
• By bike or on foot: City bike stations and pedestrian paths make it convenient to reach.

No matter how you travel, getting here is easy so you can focus on the experience.
More information can be found on the website of Smart ways to Antwerp.

Your safety is our top priority. We want you to feel relaxed and fully enjoy the experience.

All installations are inspected and certified by an accredited institute. The darkroom equipment is custom-built by some of the best fetish builders in Europe.

Free lube, condoms, gloves, and hand sanitizer are available throughout the venue. Use them generously and play responsibly.

Yes, most areas of the festival and the parties at Waagnatie are accessible by wheelchair. We do our best to keep paths clear by suspending cables and covering drains where possible.

Please note that some level differences in the playroom and Alpha Lounge involve stairs. If you need assistance accessing the Alpha Lounge with a wheelchair, our staff will be happy to help. Many of our guests are also more than willing to lend a hand—because at Beyond Darklands, we’re family.

Yes, but spaces are limited. If you need a parking spot close to the entrance, please contact Customer Relations at cr@darklands.be at least three weeks before the event.

Once you’ve decided to attend, reach out as soon as possible so we can arrange a disabled parking permit for you.

Hand sanitizer dispensers are located throughout the venue for your convenience.

We adhere to Belgian law by prohibiting smoking throughout the premises, including e-cigarettes.

However, designated smoking areas are available for those who wish to indulge. Or you can step outside. Re-entry is allowed with your wristband.

We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a smoke-free environment indoors while still providing options for our smoking guests to enjoy their experience comfortably.

Yes! If you book your stay at one of our official host hotels through the Beyond Darklands website, you’ll enjoy complimentary shuttle service to the Fusion (Friday) and Rage (Saturday) parties.

At check-in, you’ll receive a personal Hotel Guest Card. Show this card to the shuttle staff to access the buses and skip the line at the venue with our quick queue entry.

How does it work?

• Shuttle stops are close to the host hotels.
• Show your Hotel Guest Card to the bus attendant when entering the bus.
• Scan the QR code on the welcome letter in your hotel room for schedules and stop locations.

Good to know

• Seats are not reserved and depend on availability. Early and late buses are usually less crowded.
• Be at the bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time.
• Shuttle capacity is limited. If needed, call Antwerp Tax at +32 3 238 38 38 or use Uber.
• All events take place at Waagnatie, Rijnkaai 150, Antwerp.
• This service is only available to guests who booked through the official Beyond Darklands website. Bookings made directly with the hotel or via third-party platforms are not eligible.

Let us handle the ride while you focus on the fun.

We want everyone to feel welcome and included at Beyond Darklands. Here’s how we support guests with accessibility needs:

Wheelchair access: Most areas of the festival and parties at Waagnatie are wheelchair accessible. We do our best to suspend cables and cover drains to keep paths clear. Some elevated sections in the playroom and Alpha Lounge require stairs. If you’d like to access the Alpha Lounge in a wheelchair, our staff will gladly assist you—and so will many of our guests. We’re family, after all.

Disabled parking: If you need a parking space close to the entrance, email cr@darklands.be at least three weeks before the event to request a disabled parking permit. Spaces are limited, so contact us early once you’ve decided to attend.

Sign-language interpretation: Most main stage performances include International Sign Language interpretation to support deaf and hard of hearing guests. For questions or special requests, reach out to cr@darklands.be.

We’re proud to offer these services thanks to the incredible support of Lola McQueen and our amazing team of interpreters. Their efforts help make Beyond Darklands more inclusive for everyone.

The lost property service at the festival is located at the Darklands merchandise store. You can visit the store during opening hours to see if your item has been found.

If you realise after the festival that you have lost an item, please contact Customer Relations at cr@darklands.com. If your item has been found, we will gladly ship it back to you free of charge.

At Darklands, we’re committed to creating an enjoyable and seamless experience – and that includes how you enter the festival and pay for food or drinks. With our cashless NFC system, transactions are quick, easy, and tailored to the needs of Darklands visitors.

When you arrive at the event, you’ll receive your personal Darkband with a built-in NFC chip. This Darkband is your key enter to the festival grounds and to purchasing food and drinks.

Read more about our Darkbands.

Beyond Darklands is all about self-expression and fetish freedom. We welcome everyone, including newcomers, so the minimum dress code is simple: jeans and a dark t-shirt. If it features a fetish brand, even better.

Most visitors take things much further. Expect to see a wild variety of fetish styles—leather, rubber, sportswear, pup gear, uniforms, and more. You’re free to explore and express whatever turns you on, as long as it fits within the themes of fetish and respect for others.

Here are just a few popular styles at Beyond Darklands:

Leather & biker

Full leathers or just a touch. Biker vibes welcome.

Rubber & neoprene

From sleek black to colorful latex masterpieces.

PVC & plastic

Shiny, tight, and turning heads.

Sportswear

Trainers, jocks, gym gear. Gear up and show out.

Skins & punks

Bleached jeans, boots, attitude.

Army & uniform

Camo, service looks, or a darkroom-ready twist.

Pup gear

Masks, tails, mitts, leashes. Woof.

Naked & underwear

Minimal is welcome if it’s your thing.

Superhero gear

Save the night in latex, leather, or whatever makes you feel invincible.

ABDL gear

Diapers, pacifiers, PJs. Littles welcome.

Your safety and comfort matter to us. Due to past complaints, here’s what you need to know when taking a taxi during Beyond Darklands:

• Agree on a fixed price before getting in or make sure the taximeter is turned on.
• A typical ride from Waagnatie to Central Station costs around €20.
• Watch out for scams.
• We are working with the Antwerp Police to ensure honest service. Just like last year, taxi drivers will be monitored for your safety.

When in doubt, ask a staff member or volunteer for help.

If the music or the crowd becomes too loud, visit the Merchandise Shop or the Guest Services and Shop. You can pick up a free pair of earplugs there.

Please note that all nighttime parties are exclusively for men and trans men. This policy helps maintain the safe space and atmosphere these events are designed for.

Yes. Most of the shows and performances on the main stage will include sign-language interpretation in International Sign Language. This is part of our effort to make the event more accessible to deaf and hard of hearing members of our community.

If you have any questions or specific needs, feel free to contact Customer Relations at cr@darklands.be.

This service is made possible thanks to the generous support of Lola McQueen, one of our beloved drag queens, and our amazing team of interpreters. We’re deeply grateful for the inclusivity they bring to the festival.