About Burning Man
Burning Man is unlike any other festival: a temporary city of tens of thousands that rises from the dust of Nevada's Black Rock Desert for one week each year, dedicated to art, self-expression and community. There are no headline acts and almost no commerce — instead participants build the experience themselves, from towering interactive art installations and mutant vehicles to theme camps that give everything away. It culminates in the burning of a giant wooden effigy, "the Man", that gives the event its name.
The gathering began in 1986 when Larry Harvey and Jerry James burned an eight-foot wooden figure on San Francisco's Baker Beach before about twenty people. It moved to the Black Rock Desert in 1990 and grew into Black Rock City, now drawing around 80,000 "Burners". Life there runs on ten guiding principles including radical self-reliance, gifting, decommodification and Leave No Trace — participants must bring everything they need and pack out every trace when the city vanishes again.
Burning Man runs for about nine days, ending on the US Labor Day holiday, with the Man traditionally burning on the Saturday night before. Tickets are limited and the build-up is part of the journey for the community. Whether you are planning your first trip to the playa or simply fascinated by the spectacle, add Burning Man to your own page and the counter above will show exactly how long until the gates open.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Sunday, August 30, 2026next |
| 2027 | Sunday, August 29, 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday, August 27, 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday, August 26, 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday, August 25, 2030 |
FAQ
When is Burning Man?
Burning Man runs for about nine days ending on the US Labor Day holiday in early September, opening the preceding Sunday in late August. The countdown above shows the time remaining until it begins.
Where is Burning Man held?
In the Black Rock Desert of northwestern Nevada, where participants build a temporary metropolis called Black Rock City that exists for just over a week before being dismantled completely.
Why is it called Burning Man?
The event is named for its central ritual — the burning of a large wooden effigy known as "the Man", traditionally set alight on the Saturday night before Labor Day.
What are the principles of Burning Man?
It is guided by ten principles including radical self-reliance, radical self-expression, gifting, decommodification (no buying or selling), communal effort and Leave No Trace.