Many Burners have complained about influencers and ultra-wealthy attendees taking over Burning Man in recent years. Despite the influx of people obsessed with getting the perfect shot for their socials, the beauty of the Black Rock Desert is undeniable. People planning a trip to Burning Man can, of course, take as many photos as they want. But they have to follow certain common-sense rules.
Photographers and models at Burning Man have to be respectful of the art installations and other people’s space. No matter how good someone looks, people need to ask permission before snapping a photo. Another rule is that creeps aren’t allowed. This is generally a good rule for all aspects of life, but Burners monitor each other during Burn Week to make sure no one’s inappropriately using a telephoto lens or harassing young women who attend the event.
Wait Until Sunset
Burning Man is a nine-day-long party that doesn’t stop. However, the scorching late summer sun can be quite the drain. The main trick to surviving Burning Man is being strategic about when you party. There are things going on during the day, but the real party starts when the sun goes down.
Cooler temperatures mean more shenanigans, dance parties, LED light installations, and pyrotechnics. The important thing is to be open to whatever comes your way at Burning Man after dark. Burners often say that every night is different because the event is so huge, and there are so many different camps to explore.
Rising from the Ashes
Black Rock City only exists once a year. After Burning Man is over, the entire city is deconstructed and disappears without a trace. In order to set up infrastructure for such a huge gathering of people, a team of volunteers spends up to a month beforehand setting everything up. A big part of the set-up involves constructing all the large-scale sculptures.
Some artists spend a whole year planning out their art pieces. Then, about two weeks before opening day, they show up to Black Rock City to begin installing their creations. The placement of each sculpture, installation, and camp is carefully plotted out by Burning Man volunteers, making the 9-mile city a teeming center of art and culture for one week a year.
Sober but Not Somber
Burning Man definitely has a reputation for being a hotbed of 24/7 drinking, psychedelics, and other mind-altering substances. However, not everyone goes out to the desert to take part in the drunken revelry. There is a growing community of sober Burners, so much so that there are a few sober-focused theme camps.
Burners won’t find anything but cold water in these giant coolers. Thankfully, the sober-focused theme camps create a supportive environment for Burners who can’t or won’t partake in drugs or drinking. People can still have a blast at Burning Man while chugging water. The best part? There’s no risk of a hangover the next day.
Disneyland for Adults
If you love Disneyland’s famous Electrical Parade, boy, do we have news for you. Burning Man is basically Disney’s Electrical Parade but for adults. Every night during the event, specially-made sculptures, rides, and interactive installations light up the desert sky with LED lights and fire. The pitch black of the barren desert makes quite a backdrop for bright neon light shows and elaborate pyrotechnics.
This elaborate sculpture serves as a playground during the day and a breathtaking light show at night. Obviously, the flames coming out of the slide make this installation inaccessible during the evening. But it sure makes a cool light show to admire from afar. An important part of enjoying Burning Man’s electrical obsession is to stand a safe distance from any fire. Besides, bright lights look more beautiful from a distance.