Now in the seventeenth edition, Manchester Rubber Weekend returns from the 14th-16th May 2026. There’s such a weight to the history of the weekend which many of us probably don’t realise. The fetish community has transformed beyond recognition from the time the first MRW was held. What began years ago as something so extremely underground, now stands as a powerful testament to visibility and connection. 

Today, we’re no longer scattered or alone, we are ultimately united.  We now have online spaces to feel the power in numbers that remind us daily just how strong we are together. There are more of us now than ever before, and I like to think that MRW both celebrates and declares this.

So what keeps this event going so strong after all these years? It hasn’t been without its challenges and obstacles but at its heart a core team hold unwavering passion to celebrate this city’s rubber heritage. There’s a fire that I recognise within them that refuses to dim, no matter the pressure or the difficulties. And, I say, may it fucking continue to burn. 

This year’s Manchester Rubber Weekend will be my sixth in total. It’s a weekend I always cherish deeply, and not just because it’s based on my own doorstep. There’s a sense that this event holds a very simple but important ethos at its roots. 

This is Manchester, where we celebrate the weird and wonderful. Put away your reservations. Pick up your rubber gear and be comfortable in the knowledge that for this weekend this is your street, your community and your second home.

I was delighted to sit down and talk with @DogStricken representing the amazing, core team of Manchester Rubber Weekend. All images are credited to @Badwolf_photos!

As I’m sure you’re all insanely busy I massively appreciate making the time to chat today. It’s crazy that Manchester Rubber Weekend 17 is just around the corner, what are you most excited about for this year?

Yeah it is crazy to think about the huge growth of the event from all those years ago. With the original Manchester Rubber Weekend, that was just a pub crawl and now it’s turned into a four day festival packed full of latex attended by over 700+ kinksters. There really is so much to be excited for.

Honestly though we’re really thrilled to just see the swarms of people in rubber being their authentic selves throughout the village over the course of the weekend. There’s always a great moment when you’re standing at the end of Canal Street looking down at hundreds of rubber people in the sun, casually chatting and catching up with friends or making new ones. It is quite a sight to see and the atmosphere is something we think is really special and unique. 

It’s fantastic to know that MRW has been going for so many years. I can see there’s a packed schedule this year as well, what events are new to MRW17?

Yep it’s definitely a packed weekend haha! On the Saturday night we’re launching a brand new event called Lubeylicious. The name makes it sound like a gunge event, it’s not, its pure pop music, no remixes. Feedback from last year gave the impression that attendees wanted more events themed around music they were familiar with and less of the hardcore remixes. We’ve taken that onboard and worked hard to make sure that there’s more choice this year depending on people’s preferences and we’ve created something that should be really unique and lots of fun!

Apart from our usual daytime events and social meetups we’ve brought back the Walking Tour for those who want to learn more about Manchester’s rich history. We have to limit capacity for that though but it is a welcome return. More details for that to come over on our site and socials.

That sounds so good, as a pop fan myself I know I’ll end up at that haha. 

It’s safe to say Manchester has an absolutely thriving fetish community. How has MRW involved other venues this year and worked with Manchester-based creatives?

We’ve continued our work this year with venues in Manchester that support the fetish scene throughout the year. Ones such as Eagle, Cruz101 & Sub101. They’re really great to work with and have a wealth of knowledge for running events like these which really helps us out a lot! In saying that, for MRW17 we’ve expanded out to other venues in the village such as Company Bar, for the Full Cover event, which provides a more intimate setting. We’re also working with The Goose for the Newbie welcome drinks as this gives a more relaxed welcoming bar vibe. And there’s also The Cockatoo Club where we’ll be hosting an Open Mic event and a Cabaret. Finally we’ll be using The Brewers Manchester for a quiz on the Saturday. 

As the weekend grows we can’t wait to include more venues and more variety for people to truly experience and immerse themselves in Manchester’s Gay Village. The way us locals see it on the regular haha.

For the posters this year we worked with Bad Wolf Photography, @Badwolf_photos, who ran a photoshoot across Canal Street with some locals. We wanted him to try and encapsulate the theme for each event which he executed perfectly. What we love is that so many Manchester-based locals came together for that and we’re extremely proud of how all the posters look! 

Myself, Banjo and Gibbo did the actual editing for the posters but it was great to work with such a pillar of the Manchester fetish, creative scene for the visuals. 

You just touched on it but I can tell there’s a colossal amount of work that’s gone into this year already. I’d love to know some of the challenges that you’ve faced this year specifically?

Not many people know this but it’s just the four of us on the core team organising the event. There’s so much going on throughout the year to prepare. With it being such a large event you can imagine the work is immense. 

For MRW17 there’s been challenges, new and old. Setting up the new Lubeylicious event has had some curveballs but we’ve managed to navigate those and there’s the ever-present logistical nightmare that comes with organising volunteers. We also liaise constantly with venues and other event promoters so the DMs are hard to keep on top of. Arranging the gear market takes a lot of prep as well. We have roughly twenty vendors this year and there’s a lengthy process to get everyone set up and confirmed. But when it all comes together we feel like it’s absolutely worth it.

We also have a challenge with choosing our charity each year, we take careful consideration to make sure that the charity selected will make the most use of the funds raised from the weekend. Many people don’t know this but MRW is a completely voluntary organisation, none of us get paid, we have a huge passion for what we do and we let that be the reward!

That passion is clearly felt and really humbling that you four give so much to make the event a massive success as I’m also sure you have a lot of help from others! You touched already on the newbie welcome drinks but I’d love to know some more advice you’d be willing to share with newcomers to the event?

I’d definitely say to pace yourself. It’s a long weekend and it can feel overwhelming since there’s so much to do. I would say not to expect to do everything you want the first time around. Things are better built slowly over time. Make those initial connections with people and just see where things go and try not to put too much pressure on yourself, just simply enjoy it!

As a newbie we definitely suggest trying to get to the newbie drinks, it’s a more casual entrance to the weekend at a quieter bar, The Goose, away from the hustle and bustle on the canal. You can get your wristband there, speak to some more seasoned attendees in a more neutral setting and learn some familiar faces before the weekend kicks off. 

We also give out specific newbie wristbands that are a different colour so that our volunteers and other guests can see you are new and make you feel welcome throughout the weekend. We totally understand how nerve wracking it is to attend your first fetish event. We have all been there, pacing back and forwards five times in front of the door before diving in, but we are all a friendly bunch! 

Just remember the basics of consent (no means no, always ask before touching, wearing gear is not consent) and you will have a grand time!

I think that’s extremely useful advice. I also wanted to ask what you think separates MRW from other fetish events?

Manchester itself is quite a unique city in its own way. I think the fact the weekend takes place within the backdrop of the gay village where all these venues exist side-by-side is truly amazing. There’s a great pride in how public it all is and since there’s strength in numbers you can just casually be wearing your favourite rubber in the street soaking up the sun. It feels so easy and if you want something more you can head down to one of the darkrooms at the nighttime events and have a whale of a time. 

Everything is roughly a five minute walk between most of the venues. It almost feels like we’ve taken over a little town and created our own rubbery world for the weekend haha!

Obviously a lot of other events are themed around competitions and title-holders. All respect to them but we really like that MRW exists to celebrate and share with the community in what they love, together. 

It’s such a special space for us to have in Manchester. I remember the first time I attended and that rush of adrenalin from wearing rubber publicly during the day while chilling by the canal. Can you speak personally about a moment from a previous MRW that’s particularly stuck with you? 

That’s a really hard one to answer actually… there’s really been so many. Hmm I wouldn’t say it’s one particular moment but more a recurring feeling I have each year. It’s publicly being in the street, sitting in the sun, enjoying a nice cool drink after sweating a bit in full rubber. I look out at the sea of people all dressed in their shiniest outfits as they casually chat and hang out. It feels so normal and natural, like it could be any Sunday afternoon, with everyone decked out in an array of colours, fits and accessories. 

I think that’s the moment. It’s when you really feel like you’re in the right place, at the right time and there’s this sense of belonging within your own people. Last year was particularly fun as I was doing the wristband handout and got to meet hundreds of people and welcome them to the event. So although I was technically working I still had this feeling come about and it’s really a special thing I think. 

Hearing about your own experience has made me want to ask what feeling you want to evoke from attendees to MRW17?

Oh that’s an easy one. We want people to feel comfortable as their rubbery selves. Everyone is welcome. Try to focus on the strength in numbers which can help dissolve most people’s shyness and fears of being geared in public. 

We’ve probably all experienced some element of shame in some capacity but this is the place for that to be put aside. The whole point is to have the opportunity to meet more people like you. There are things that might separate us but we all have one VERY big thing in common and I think it’s about embracing that. 

You know, I think you’re absolutely right about having that strength in numbers and using that to your advantage to express yourself in a public setting. With that in mind, do you have any outfit advice for attendees? 

As mentioned we want attendees to feel comfortable so it’s simply a case of wearing what makes you feel that way! It’s a LONGG weekend packed with rubber so really there’s no need to go crazy on the first day! So long as your privates are covered in the street you are good to go haha. 

Also decent shoes are a must, go for comfort first until you figure out the weekend. I’ll be in a full catsuit at all times but there is no need to try ‘keep up’ with others, you do you!

That’s actually really solid advice and plays into what you mentioned earlier about pacing yourself. Final question, what would you say would be a dream event to host at MRW in the future?

Oooh, a tough one. A lot of personal opinions here could get me in hot water haha. We already have such a great variety of things going on, and aware that not everyone is into the same stuff. The addition of Full Cover this year really ticks my personal boxes of full rubber coverage dress code event but for me, some kind of electro play based event could be really really fun, hundreds of rubber people all wired into the same e-stim signal dancing away, hummmmmmmmm. 

Oh and maybe a Jungle/Drum and Bass/UKGarage music event, that’d be very sweaty hahaha

I’m feeling properly buzzed now with the weekend fast approaching. I wanted to say a massive thank you for speaking with such a devoted passion about the upcoming event and wish you, and the team, all the best. 

Being a Manchester-native myself, I’ll be there and hoping for some nice sunny weather to enjoy chilling outside in full rubber. Let’s hope it’s not too hot though or we’ll all be pouring with sweat haha!

You can see the full schedule of events along with links to buy tickets over on the Manchester Rubber Weekend site. They’re also regularly posting updates for the weekend across their socials, via their Linktr.ee.