FROM THE PRODUCER
Joshua Simmons, Founder of Fetish Gras
Fetish Gras didn’t start as a festival of events — it started as something personal.
In 2022, I was looking for a way into the world of kink and fetish. I didn’t always know where to go, or how to get involved, and honestly, a lot of it felt intimidating from the outside. I didn’t believe kink had to be scary or serious all the time. I believed it could be joyful, campy, ridiculous, and alive — a celebration, not just an underground secret.
So, I threw a party.
That one night at The Rail became the beginning of something bigger than I ever expected. People showed up ready to explore, express, and connect — many of them feeling the same way I did: ready for a space where fetish could be fun, playful, and community-driven.
Each year, Fetish Gras has grown — not just in size, but in spirit. We've added more events, built bigger worlds, and embraced the colorful, chaotic heart of queer Mardi Gras.
Now, five years later, we focus on building stronger connections, broaden community reach and make knowledge more accessible.
And through it all, the mission stays the same:
Make kink more visible. Make celebration more fearless. Make community more real.
5 Years In The Making
2022- The Beginning
Fetish Gras launches as a one-night event on Fat Tuesday itself, breaking away from the traditional dark aesthetic of fetish parties by embracing color, camp, and chaos. A new tradition is born, blending kink with celebration in a way San Diego had never seen before.
2023- The Parade Continues
Fetish Gras moved from Fat Tuesday to a Friday night, making space for more people to experience the celebration. Still a one-night event, 2023 planted the seeds for what would soon grow into a full weekend.own on a bigger stage.
2024- A Weekend is Born
2024- A Weekend is Born
Fetish Gras Weekend officially takes shape, expanding into three full days of events. Taking major risks, we partnered with other promoters and organizations to lay the groundwork for an even larger future.
2025- The Turning Point
2024- A Weekend is Born
Fetish Gras Weekend hits a new milestone, selling out presales in just three days. With three official events and five additional partner parties, Fetish Gras firmly establishes itself as a true force in San Diego’s queer nightlife scene.
2026- 5 Years & Beyond
2026- 5 Years & Beyond
In 2026, we celebrate five years of Fetish Gras by bringing the community even closer together. This year marks a shift toward deeper connection, collaboration, and shared experiences . Our newest addition , Krewez Alley Market, debuts as a daytime gathering focused on vendors, education, and connection—hosted at Rich’s San Diego.
Our Colors...Our Kink
Purple- Exploration
Purple- Exploration
Purple- Exploration
The courage to discover
new parts of yourself.
At Fetish Gras, exploration isn’t just encouraged — it’s the point.
Gold- Community
Purple- Exploration
Purple- Exploration
The heart that connects it all together.
Through laughter, kink, friendship, and joy, community is what turns Fetish Gras from a party into a home.
Green- Expression
Purple- Exploration
Green- Expression
The freedom to show the world who you are without apology.
Dress loud. Dance harder. Be undeniable.
Looking Ahead
Fetish Gras was created with a long-term vision: to build something lasting, meaningful, and rooted in community. While each year brings new experiences and growth, the ultimate goal has always been bigger—
to one day create a destination-level celebration where kink, leather, and fetish culture take up space boldly, proudly, and unapologetically. We’re building toward a future where Fetish Gras becomes something people travel for, return to year after year, and remember long after the weekend ends.
The best is yet to come!
