Swinging into 2025
The Trends You’ll See in the Lifestyle This Year
As someone who has spent years deeply involved in the swinging lifestyle (4 years now),—as a relationship and intimacy coach, media personality, and advocate for non-monogamous communities—I’ve made it my mission to not only participate in but also study the trends that shape our unique, taboo and underground culture. My work bridges this gap between the lifestyle and the media that represents it (in 2024 we haven’t seen great representation) , giving me a front-row seat to the shifts that impact how swingers connect with each other , play, and find community.
As we ‘swing our way’ into 2025, the swinging lifestyle is facing some big shifts—and I don’t just mean people finding new positions to try. Economic pressures, changing laws, and evolving social norms are shaping how swingers engage with each other and how we connect in our relationships.
From the rise of more meaningful local events to the shifts in the culture, I’m going to make some predictions based in fact, opinion and spirituality.
This year isn’t just about who you’re connecting with; it’s about how and why. The swinger community is stepping into a an evolution, trading surface-level thrills for something deeper, more intentional, and (dare I say?) more soul-nourishing.
1. Local Meetups And The Rise Of Equitability
News flash: Cruises and five-star resorts are so last year. With a looming recession swingers are ditching the expensive trips and heading back to their roots—literally, like backyard parties and community center meetups.
These gatherings don’t just save your wallet; they’re breathing fresh life into the community. No overpriced wristbands or “who’s in the VIP section with bottle service” vibes—just people showing up, being real, and actually getting to know one another. Grassroots events are fostering equity and inclusivity, welcoming a wider mix of folks who care about connection, not clout, or how much you spent on your cool theme outfit.
We’ll also see (or at least I hope to see) more equity for larger events. Take Naughty in N’awlins, for example. They’ve led the way by creating opportunities like their Krewe program, allowing people to contribute to the event as volunteers and help offset the cost of attending. I’ve actually been apart of this program before and I was able to connect with people in a way that was so special to me. But when I bring up ideas like this, people often push back, saying, “If you can’t afford luxury, then you shouldn’t go.” Ok Karen, but that’s an incredibly classist [Classist refers to discrimination based on socioeconomic status, favoring the wealthy while excluding or devaluing those with fewer resources.]and exclusionary mindset, and honestly, it goes against the core of what the lifestyle should represent: community, connection, and shared experiences.
In 2025, I want you to ask yourself:
What really feeds your soul—luxury or laughter?
And are we building spaces where everyone, regardless of their bank account, can feel welcome and included?
2. Goodbye, Overpriced Experiences; Hello, Connection
Listen, I love relaxing pool side as much as the next person, but get real for a minute here, the extravagant swinger cruises and luxury resort events don’t exactly deliver on emotional fulfillment. With fewer people willing (or able) to fork over thousands for a week in paradise, we’re seeing a pivot to smaller, more intentional gatherings.
Think intimate get-togethers where you can skip the parade of extravagant outfits and the pressure to put on a show, and get into what matters: authenticity, connection, and maybe even a gathering where we play a game, like the non monogamy card game together. It’s time to leave behind being performative and focus on real connection, collaboration and shared experiences.
In 2025, I want you to ask yourself:
What would it feel like to show up as your truest self—no costumes, no pretenses, just you?
3. Rave Culture, Just Add Pineapples
In 2025, I predict we are going to see an exciting shift where swinger events and rave culture are merging in ways that are just as creative as they are unexpected. Think music, art, and events that feel like a mix between Coachella and a cuddle puddle. These gatherings, inspired by rave culture, are moving the focus away from pure hookups and toward joy, creativity, and connection through music, dance and social gatherings.
A perfect example? The I Candy Groove Cruise, which sold out quickly this year. Events like these are drawing younger people into the lifestyle who are seeking interactive, social experiences that go beyond sex. They’re looking for spaces where they can let loose, dance, explore psychedelics, and immerse themselves in artistic, creative environments. Which will really shift the vibe from the polished luxury look of the 90s to something more natural and eclectic.
In 2025, I want you to ask yourself:
What would it look like to embrace this new wave of energy and creativity in the swinger lifestyle?
4. Online Dating Is Booming (Again)
Let’s be honest: In 2025, most people aren’t itching to spend $200 on a fancy date night out to the swinger club. With economic pressures mounting, dating apps like #Open, WEAREX and Swinghub are stepping in as cost-effective ways to connect, flirt, and plan meetups without draining your wallet. Historically, dating apps see a surge in usage during recessions as people look for cost effective alternatives to traditional swinger social gatherings.
According to The Guardian, dating apps thrive during economic downturns because they provide a low-cost way to socialize. Meeting someone through an app can be far cheaper than going out to swinger clubs and events. Additionally, when people experience job losses or reduced hours, they often have more free time, making online dating a more accessible and appealing option.
We Need To Come Together And Protect Our Digital Spaces
But it’s not all smooth sailing in the world of dating apps. Restrictive laws and puritanical attitudes from lawmakers are making it harder for platforms like C4P to stay operational. Which is what ultimately shut this large and thriving online midwest community in November 2024. As governments impose tighter regulations on adult content and online communities, the swinger and non-monogamous dating spaces will likely face more challenges in 2025.
Why Do We Need to Protect Our Digital Spaces?
These platforms are more than just hookup hub. These are communities that offer education, support, and connection. It’s up to us to rally around them, advocate for better legislation, and ensure these spaces remain safe, inclusive, and, let’s be honest, fun.
I want you to remember this: Every time you swipe, flirt, or match, you’re giving a big middle finger to the isolation and division the powers that be will likely try to shove down our throats. Connection is rebellion, babe so keep resisting.
In 2025, I want you to ask yourself:
What are you noticing in the world of swingers and online dating?
5. Legal Drama: The Fun Police Strike Again
What outdated systems are holding us back, and how can we adapt?
Apparently, some folks are still clutching their pearls over consenting adults having fun. Local laws targeting sexually oriented businesses are forcing clubs to close. Case in point: Acadia Parish, Louisiana.
So what’s the silver lining here? Resilience. The swinging community has always been able to thrive on its ability to adapt, change, and find new ways to connect. When traditional spaces and options start to disappear, we don’t just sit around pouting—we get creative.
In 2025, I want you to ask yourself:
How can we, as a community, lean into grassroots efforts to make swinging more accessible even with people wanting to shut us down? What role will you play in shaping this next chapter?
6. Intersectionality FTW
The days of the cookie-cutter swinger couple are (thankfully) behind us. The community is becoming more intersectional, welcoming queer, nonbinary, and multicultural voices that reflect the real world.
In 2025, we need to be more intentional about our inclusivity and take a hard look at what that word actually means. It’s not enough to throw “inclusive” on an event flyer or mention it in a mission statement—it has to show up in our actions, our spaces, and the way we treat one another. True inclusivity means creating environments where people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences feel genuinely welcome and valued. Being truly inclusive is about being open to uncomfortable conversations that will lead to growth.
Kiley’s Hot take: Inclusivity isn’t a trend—it’s the future.
In 2025, I want you to ask yourself:
Am I willing to step into this work and ensure our community reflects the diverse, beautiful reality of the world around us?
7. Social Media: Swinging’s Double-Edged Sword
With more Millenials and Gen Z joining the lifestyle platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and private Discord servers are helping swingers stay connected. But let’s be honest—social media can also be a breeding ground (breeding kink anyone?) for performative nonsense (Take it from me, I know a thing or two about social media and swinging.)
The key in 2025 will be to focus on authenticity. Share your real stories, your messy moments, and the lessons you’ve learned. Connection is about showing up as your whole self—no filters, no performative nonsense. Take it from me, if you’re using others for clout, clicks, or credibility, it’s only a matter of time before it backfires spectacularly.
Adding to the mix is Pluto moving into Aquarius, which brings a collective shift toward truth, innovation, and accountability. . In the swinging and non-monogamy spaces, this means a greater focus on transparency, ethical practices, and community collaboration efforts where everyone thrives.
In 2025, I want you to ask yourself:
How will you align your actions with the values Pluto in Aquarius is calling us to embrace?
8. What The Swinger Community Needs To Let Go Of
In 2025, I’m calling it: we’re getting a cosmic nudge to stop chasing all the flashy trends and focus on what actually matters. For the swinger community, that means letting go of surface-level, short-term connections that don’t serve us in the long run. We also need to pull back and stop being naive—our spaces aren’t automatically respected, and if we don’t step up to protect them, who will?
This is also the year we’ve got to release the fear of change. It’s time to explore new ways of connecting, even if they push you outside your comfort zone. And honestly? It’s time to let go of the events and spaces that feel exclusive or overly polished and get back to creating environments that are real and welcoming.
So, what are you ready to let go of to make space for something better in 2025?
2025 Will Be A Year Of Resilience, Reflection, Rebirth
The swinging community in 2025 faces its fair share of challenges, but it also has the potential to move towards something greater. By collaborating together to embrace creativity, intersectionality, and intentional connection, we can turn all of the obstacles into opportunities for growth.
The best is yet to come, and I’m ready to see what this beautiful, messy, evolving community can do.
What trends are you noticing in your local scene? Let’s keep the conversation going—drop your thoughts in the comments!
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