A play party is an event at which kinky people can play in semi-public spaces. Entry to the event is typically restricted to ticket holders and ticket sales may be limited to members of a local club, may be by invitation only, or you may need to personally meet with one of the people in charge of the party to buy your ticket or attend a non-play BDSM related event such as a social, mixer or munch at which tickets are being sold. This is to prevent people from coming who may not understand what the event really is, to prevent people from coming to harass attendees, to prevent underage people from attending, to prevent the event from being confused with some form of prostitution, to adhere to local law restrictions and other reasons. Normally there is equipment such as X crosses (St. Andrews Crosses), tables, whipping posts, spanking benches, other restraint type equipment, sometimes medical tables or chairs, sex swings, etc. Attendees of the party may come with partners or sometimes may meet partners at the event to conduct "scenes" or play sessions of any number of different types. Some parties have rules restricting the type of play allowed. Play that is frequently restricted includes knives, needles, cutting, blood, breath play, scat and watersports, suspension, and sometimes sex. It may seem odd that sex wouldn't be allowed at an event like this but it's important to remember that not all BDSM play includes sex. Play parties are held at local "dungeons", at rented empty spaces that are set up by the hosts or host organization for the event, or at private homes or other privately owned spaces.
To answer the original query, my city has a large and very active local BDSM club which holds munches, socials, workshops, rap groups, play parties and other events, and often also acts as a conduit through which non-club BDSM functions are publicized. There's also an active community in a neighboring city in which my Mistress and i have a lot of friends so Wwe tend to float back and forth between Oour city and the other. Wwe especially love a MAsT (Masters And slaves Together) meeting held by some of Oour dear friends in the neighboring city once a month. MAsT is an international organization for people who are in or who are interested in Master/slave or Dominant/submissive relationships. There are chapters all over the world that hold meetings to foster support, discussion, education, etc. about this lifestyle. There are other similar organizations and many, many others depending on where your niche is in this life.
Personally, play parties are often not Oour main focus in the community. While Wwe have certainly been to a few and Wwe have played at a couple of them and enjoy it, Wwe are more interested in the discussion, support and education opportunities this community affords. As a 24/7 D/s couple, Wwe find connecting with others who live this path is very vital to Oour emotional wellbeing and brings us an enormous amount of peace.
There is also an annual women's only BDSM event held in Southern California. It is an entire weekend of workshops, play, one-on-one educational opportunities, socializing, connecting and is a truly amazing experience. Women of all sexualities with all levels of interest and experience in BDSM from all over the world meeting in one place for 4 days of full immersion in BDSM. For us, Oour first pilgrimage to that event was a life changing experience and it was not Oour last. It's often described by attendees as kinky summer camp and that's really what it's like.
