On the 5th October X Fest is coming to the Gloucester Guildhall. It is a celebration of the niche, alternative and grown up celebrating a spectrum of alternative adult culture. So let's find out more about this amazing market.
Q. Can you let our readers know what X Fest is all about?
A. X Fest is a celebration of the niche, alternative and grown up celebrating a spectrum of alternative adult culture. It is a one-of-a-kind event comprising a daytime market followed by an early evening entertainment show. Each element is stand alone so guests can go to either or both. There is a two hour gap between the market and show allowing traders to pack down and join us for the evening show if they wish. This two hour gap will also have activities and entertainment laid on. The bar is on site serving alcohol and soft drinks plus there is a coffee shop right next door.
Our marketplace offers a relaxed and intimate atmosphere to explore. You get:
👁️ Real connection
It is a great chance to meet creators, discover one-of-a-kind items, and connect with others in the community.
💬 A Celebration of the unusual
This is not just a market - it is a space where horror lovers, sexual wellness advocates, witches, queers, rebels, and misfits gather.
🌙 You are in good company
We carefully curate unique, quality-focused vendors to ensure variety and unforgettable good vibes. Our traders are bold, weird, witchy, erotic, dark, magical, or just different.
Whether you are looking to shop, socialise, or just enjoy the vibe, it is the perfect way to spend your Sunday!
Q. When and how did you come up with this event?
A. I thrive on coming up with new and exciting concepts to deliver into Gloucestershire. At my alternative markets I often have an 18+ zone and X Fest is an extension of this, with the evening show added on to make it a full day, immersive experience like no other. The 1st X Fest was delivered in April 2025 and the plan is to have 2 or 3 per year moving forwards and deliver these in different towns throughout Gloucestershire.
Q. For people coming to the market can you let them know what type of stalls you will have there?
A. The market is filled with traders selling everything from alternative fashion and slogan wear to psychic healers, pleasure products and kink essentials, horror art and witchy wares.
Q. You will be having different acts on the day. Could you tell us about some of the acts?
A. During the market, there will be workshops and demos offered by traders such as rum tasting, shibari rope binding, wax play and much more! The market has a small entry fee (there will be the opportunity to purchase early bird tickets for just £3 for a limited time, pre-booked general tickets are £5 and it will be £7 on the door - so grab early bird tickets before they go!). This fee includes entry into the market, the opportunity to join any or all of the workshops and demos, and there will be live hot spot demos and fashion shows on stage. There will also be a munch organised by our favourite BDS May. If you live outside the mainstream and are open-minded, expressive and actively seeking niche, alternative and sensual experiences - this is the space for you.
Q. What are some of your main aims for this market?
A. The main aim is to create a safe, inclusive, and unforgettable experience that blends commerce, creativity, and entertainment.
I want to curate a secure and inclusive space where guests can explore themes like kink, fetish, horror, goth, fantasy, and adult wellness without judgement - empowering vendors and visitors alike.
I aim to support independent creators and niche traders by providing a profitable platform for alternative makers, artists, and performers to showcase and sell adult-themed products.
With the evening show the aim is to produce an exciting and tastefully provocative lineup of adult entertainment.
Q. After the market you will have a specially created social space with entertainment. Again could you tell us about this?
A. This is much more than a social space - it is a cabaret club in the ballroom of Gloucester Guildhall running from 6.30 - 8.30pm. The line up includes burlesque, pole, drag, cabaret, comedy and live performance art. It is a separately ticketed event, if you have tickets for the evening show this includes entry into the marketplace. We have VIP packages with private tables, interactive elements, a prize draw ticket included and much more. We also have couples tables available for an intimate experience. Or if you prefer to take more of a back seat and observe there are general admission theatre tickets on offer.
Thank you X Fest for explaning everything about your market.
To find out more about X Fest and book tickets click here