From its unique sculptures to its vibrant nightlife, Burning Man has quite the reputation and for good reason. This event focuses on building community, self-expression, self-reliance, and more, making it an impactful experience. This guide covers all the essentials, helping you decide whether to attend and how to prepare for it.
What is the Burning Man Festival?
Burning Man is technically not a festival. It's defined as a "community and global cultural movement" where a temporary city is built in the desert every year, in Nevada, USA. This city is called "Black Rock City" and is built on 10 principles, focused on inclusivity, collaboration, care, and respecting the environment.
What Happens at Burning Man?
You can partake in many activities and creative ventures, but the most popular ones are:
- The Burning of the Man Celebration: At the end of the week, people celebrate as a large wooden effigy is burnt.
- The Temple Burn: This is a more reflective burn of a wooden temple, happening the day after the Burning of the man.
- Art Installations: Discover surreal, often interactive art installations scattered across the desert.
- Mutant Vehicles: Another iconic part of Burning Man is its mutant vehicles, essentially widely decorated moving sculptures on wheels.
- All-Night Music and Dance Parties: From smaller music sessions to bigger parties, music is a big part of self-expression and community.
How Long Is Burning Man?
Burning Man is held annually and lasts nine days. The event is held on the days leading up to and including Labor Day. This year, it will be held from August 24 to September 1, 2025.
Is Burning Man Festival a Nude Festival?
No, it is not a nude event, but nudity is welcome. It has, however, been less common in the last few years due to the rise of people taking pictures.
Burning Man Outfits
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There is no particular dress code. The most important thing is to wear something that allows you to express yourself and your style while feeling comfortable in the desert.
That said, many people wear outfits similar to those you'd see at festivals and take inspiration from raves, bohemian, alternative, or cyberpunk styles. Playing with layering to deal with the climate and accessories for fun is a great starting point.
Burning Man 2025
This year's theme is "Tomorrow Today" and is described as "an invitation to imagine the future in new ways". The city's street names will be based on this theme, honouring writers like N.K. Jemisin or Kazuo Ishiguro, who explore the world in speculative futures.
Burning Man Tickets
Tickets are found on the official ticketing website and are offered at multiple price points from USD $550 to $3000 (CAD $759 to $4,143) and are broken down into three categories:
- Higher-cost tickets: Higher-cost tickets cover your entry and funding for art grants and subsidize lower-tier tickets.
- Regular tickets: Regular tickets cover your entry.
- Lower-cost: Lower-cost tickets are subsidized by higher-cost tickets and improve accessibility.
Note: If you plan to bring your vehicle, you must buy a vehicle pass for USD $150 (CAD $207).
Preparing for Your Trip
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Survival Guide
Before you head out, you'll want to read the event's Survival Guide. It includes a handy checklist to make sure you come prepared. Among some of the items listed are:
- 1.5 gallons of water per person per day
- Your ticket or photo ID and confirmation number
- Flashlights and spare batteries
- A first aid kit
- A tent and camping equipment
You'll want to download the complete list and pack accordingly.
U.S. Travel
We recommend checking the U.S. travel advisories before traveling to the U.S. If you're coming from Canada, your best bet is to review the Government of Canada's website. You'll also want to stay informed and prepared when protecting your mobile phone at the border.
Is There Cell Phone Service at Burning Man?
Talking about phones, it's important to note that there is minimal phone service due to the event's location. This encourages people to be present and immerse themselves in the experience.
If you're traveling to the U.S. just for Burning Man, you might still need a travel eSIM to help guide you from the airport. This is where Airalo can come in handy - with U.S. data plans starting at USD $4.50 ($6.50 CAD), pay for just the data you need, instead of per day.
A memorable experience awaits! Get ready to head to Black Rock City and come back transformed.
