Burning Man
A city in the desert
What is Burning Man
Burning Man is an annual art and community event held in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, where tens of thousands of participants build Black Rock City, a temporary city dedicated to self-expression, art, and radical self-reliance. Known for its towering art installations, elaborate art cars, and the ceremonial burning of "the Man," the event runs for a week each late August into September in the Northern Nevada desert.
Burning Man by the Numbers
- Location: Black Rock Desert, Nevada, about 2 hours from Reno
- When: last Monday in August through the first Monday in September (Labor Day)
- Duration: one week
- Attendance: roughly 70,000–80,000 participants
- Founded: 1986, on Baker Beach in San Francisco
- Moved to Black Rock Desert: 1990
- Guiding principles: 10, including radical inclusion, gifting, and leaving no trace
History of Burning Man
On June 22, 1986, Larry Harvey and Jerry James organized a small gathering on Baker Beach in San Francisco along with the first “Man,” which they built themselves. For four years the festival would be held on Baker Beach before the park police would intercede to prevent the burning of the man. On this day in 1990, the event would change forever — moving locations, changing its date and adopting not only a new beginning but a new meaning to the celebration. Fast forward a few decades and the Burning Man festival continues to be held annually, spanning from the last Sunday in August to the first Monday in September (Labor Day) in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.
Burning Man Art
Burning Man is a cultural movement based on a gift economy that promotes 10 major principles: Radical Inclusion, Gifting, Decommodification, Radical Self-Reliance, Radical Self-Expression, Communal Effort, Civic Responsibility, Leaving No Trace, Participation and Immediacy.
Burning Man Arts supports the philosophies of the festival by encouraging artists to change the notion of art from a commodified or ‘packaged’ object to an interactive, participatory, shared experience of creative expression. Following this idea, art cars quickly became a favorite on the playa. Art is often used as a form of currency on the playa in addition to other goods–a staple of the gift-giving culture. The more eccentric the gift, the better.
Burning Man offers two different art grants: grants for art from around the world and grants for art destined for Black Rock City. Global Art Grants support interactive, participatory art experiences around the world. Black Rock City Honoraria helps artists create for the annual Burning Man event, and the Black Rock City Template Grant supports artists selected to build the Temple at the annual Burning Man event, which provides a quiet spot on the playa for remembrance and introspection.
Burning Man Tickets
Burning Man tickets for this dusty, bohemian paradise sell out quickly as this event is well-known by people around the world. If you’re dedicated to attending Burning Man, make sure you plan ahead and buy a ticket as soon as possible. Early bird tickets typically go on sale in mid-to-late January, and the Low-Income Ticket Application opens shortly after.
While all Burning Man ticket sales are final, don’t forget to check out the Secure Ticket Exchange Program (STEP). STEP is an online system that facilitates the safe resale of face-value tickets and vehicle passes purchased directly from Burning Man. So if you’re still looking for a ticket, start here first.
Didn’t get a Burning Man ticket this time around? It’s okay! There’s always next year, and the festival will surely deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience no matter when you go. As an alternative to visiting Black Rock City, plan a summer road trip on the Burner Byway and experience Burning Man’s influence in the Northern Nevada desert.
For those unable to make it out to the Playa this year, check out the live stream to see the art, the dust and the burns. Not sure what Burning Man is about? Watch the live stream.
If you’d like to learn more about the festival that brings tens of thousands of participants to Black Rock City in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, explore this year’s Burning Man Festival!
P.S. Don’t forget to upload your Burning Man photos to social media using the hashtag #RenoTahoe for a chance to be featured on the site. Post your pictures for others to experience the Burn, too!
Celebrate Burning Man all Year Long
The artwork you find on the playa is larger-than-life and describing it as unique is an understatement. Many of those pieces have found their second home in downtown Reno and surrounding neighborhoods. Take a walk in the newest arts district, Reno’s Neon Line, which is home to the 49-foot tall Desert Guard, the kinetic Rearing Horse and other jaw-dropping pieces. A trip to Reno isn’t complete without a photo at the BELIEVE sign at City Plaza. This sculpture appeared on the playa in 2013 and has since become one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The art experience doesn’t stop there! Find even more must-see Burning Man artwork in Reno.
Whether you’re pedaling your bike through Black Rock City or just want to show off your unique style any other day of the year, Reno’s boutiques and thrift shops know how to cater to Burners and Burners-at-heart. Find your perfect style, no matter if it’s bedecked in fur from head to toe, steampunk with a twist or vintage with a side of punk. There are plenty of stores in Reno to check out if you’re in search of the perfect costume.
Craving an escape? We don’t blame you. Answer the call of the open road with a trip down the Burner Byway. This road trip guide is inspired by all-things Burning Man, including a stop at Planet X Pottery just outside Gerlach and a drive-through art exhibit on Guru Road. Your destination is the Black Rock Desert but we guarantee the journey will be just as memorable.
The beauty of Burning Man is that it truly is a place for everyone to gather and express themselves and it’s no secret that a number of celebrities have made the trip to the desert for this annual event. Check out what your favorite musicians, actors and models have been wearing and doing in Black Rock City.
There are still a number of ways to stay connected to each other and embrace and celebrate the energy of Burning Man now and every day of the year.