What is Burning Man? It's usually called a festival, but the 'burners' prefer not to categorize it. They simply call it an event, a gathering, and an experiment of creating a society of freedom and radical self-expression. This event takes place annually between the last Sunday of August and the first Monday of September in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. During this event, a town with its full infrastructure pops up in the middle of nowhere.
10 Principles
The Burning Man event and its communities follow ten principles reflecting the cultural ethos. With a focus on community, artwork, absurdity, self-reliance, and self-expression, Burners contributes diverse goals and ideas. Since the event does not have a single focus, even the wildest fantasies are welcomed without judgment, creating a paradise for hippies, freaks, idealists, and romantics alike.
Events & Activities
At Burning Man, participants take center stage as they design and create all the art, activities, and events. This includes experimental sculptures, interactive installations, performances, art cars, and more, inspired by an annual theme set by the Burning Man Project. The 2024 theme, "Curiouser & Curiouser," celebrates puzzles, embraces the irrational, and invites the unknown for a cup of tea. Alongside these creative expressions, theme camps are a festival highlight, catering to diverse interests such as electronic music with live DJ sets. Music, performance art, and guerrilla theatre further enrich the experience within Burning Man's camps and developed areas of Black Rock City.
The Man & The Temple
The festival's main event is the burning of a giant wooden sculpture of the Man, which takes place on the last Saturday of the festival before Labor Day. The Temple is a major recurring art installation at Burning Man, considered as crucial as the Man. Its purpose is to provide a canvas for people to leave words and objects for burning and to serve as a place of contemplation, rest, and reflection. The Temple burn occurs on the final night, following the "Man burn" the previous night.
Tickets & Location
Burning Man tickets are priced at $575 each, with approximately vehicle passes available for $150 each and applicable fees and taxes. The Ticket Aid Program provides 5,000 tickets at a reduced rate of $225 each for individuals with qualifying applications. A vehicle pass can also be purchased for $75 with this program. Children aged 12 and under can attend for free but require a Kid’s Ticket to enter. All the events take place at Black Rock City, located in the Black Rock Desert, and were built by volunteers over several weeks. Its streets are laid out like a clock.
History of Burning Man
Burning Man began 1986 in San Francisco when artist Larry Harvey burned a 9-foot wooden sculpture. It grew each year, reaching nearly 40 feet by 1989. 1990, the event moved to the Black Rock Desert due to permit issues, and neon lights were added in 1991. Concerned for safety, Michael Mikel formed the Black Rock Rangers. Attendance grew from 250 in 1991 to over 50,000 by 2010, earning the festival the nickname "Black Rock City."
