Inhabiting Black Rock City can be a paradox: it is ephemeral, yet the experiences you share will stay with you forever. Every person who inhabits this city helps build it; there are no spectators. The more you plug in and participate, the deeper and more connective your journey promises to be.
In Black Rock City you are responsible for your own survival, safety, and well-being. You are invited to collaborate, be inclusive, creative, connective, and to Leave No Trace.
Burning Man is not a festival. It is a global cultural movement, with local communities, events, and projects flourishing around the world, all guided by the 10 Principles.
This Survival Guide is essential reading for every participant — read it carefully!
(Download a pdf to your device for offline reading.)
Black Rock City has a way of bringing about once-in-a-lifetime experiences. While the big, flashy moments make the headlines and become the clickbait, many of the most memorable encounters come from small, personal, and whimsical interactions.
This year, I challenge you to do something personal that fosters interaction and connection. Think of traveling the backstreets, sharing your gifts with new friends, or sparking a moment of serendipity beneath a small art piece. These moments of self-expression and open-hearted connection are truly the ones that resonate, creating ripples in the dust and in our lives.
Joining a crew or communal effort is a great way to get involved. There are so many possibilities; find one that matches your interests and energy levels. However you choose to participate — organizing a camp, building art or a vehicle, helping with civic infrastructure or making the city run — know you are contributing to something bigger than yourself.
I am sure your time here will open new horizons and you’ll meet some amazing people. Ask anyone on a Burning Man crew or volunteer team what they love most about it, and they will tell you it’s about the work, and the friendships. Imagine who you could meet — someone who could change your life, not just in Black Rock City, but forever.
Whether this is your first, or twenty-first Burn, I can’t wait to share this experience with you.
– Charlie Dolman, Director of Event Operations
