CLAW 2026 – Cleveland Leather Annual Weekend

✨ CLAW 2026 – Cleveland Leather Annual Weekend

📅 Date: April 2–5, 2026

📍 Location: Hyatt Regency Columbus, Columbus, Ohio 

About CLAW

CLAW began in 2002 as a community-organized leather weekend and grew into one of the largest annual leather, fetish, and kink conventions in the U.S. It is run by CLAW Corp, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to education, community support, fundraising, and inclusive celebration of adult leather and kink. 

The mission of CLAW is rooted in the belief that leather, fetish, and BDSM interests are natural and healthy. Through its events and programming, CLAW offers a space where people of all backgrounds, identities, and levels of experience are welcomed and respected. 

What to Expect at CLAW 2026

CLAW 2026 transforms the host hotel into a full leather-community hub with wide-ranging events and opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate:

• A massive VendorMart featuring dozens of vendors with leather gear, fetish wear, accessories, and more. 
• Over 100 workshops and educational classes, covering BDSM skills, safety, consent, body positivity, and other community-focused topics. 
• A variety of socials, mixers, and nightlife events  from dance parties and play spaces to themed gatherings, community dinners, and casual meet-ups. 
• Community-building events: drag brunches, art shows, Kinky Kabaret, pet/pup moshes, speed dating, cigar-deck socials, game shows, and more. 
• A charitable purpose: proceeds from CLAW support LGBTQ+, HIV/AIDS, and leather-related charities. Over the years, CLAW has donated substantial amounts to more than 200 different organizations. 

Why CLAW Matters

CLAW is more than a convention — it’s a community cornerstone. It preserves and uplifts leather and kink culture by providing education, support, visibility, and safe spaces for expression. By emphasizing consent, inclusion, and respect, CLAW helps foster acceptance and understanding of alternative lifestyles while supporting charitable causes across the broader community. 

Even though CLAW 2026 moves to Columbus … rather than its longtime home in Cleveland — the spirit, mission, and community remain the same. Organizers emphasize that this is a new chapter, not a goodbye to Cleveland. 

Who Should Attend

CLAW welcomes adults of all genders, orientations, identities, and levels of experience. Whether you’re new to leather/kink or a longtime community member, CLAW provides a welcoming, safe, and affirming space to explore interests, learn, connect, and celebrate yourself.