What makes Burning Man the commerce-free festival that costs a fortune to attend?
Nothing is for sale at Burning Man – but punters typically spend thousands to join the experimental desert community, erected in Nevada, USA, every August
“Burning Man is not a festival. Burning Man is a community.”
So reads the official Burning Man website. At the end of every August, everyone from hippies to billionaires gather in the heart of Nevada's Black Rock Desert, known as “the playa”, to partake in a global cultural movement based on 10 principles. The temporary community they form, of more than 70,000 people, is known as Black Rock City.
This year, Burning Man takes place from August 25 to September 2. The gathering is a commerce-free community once inside – instead of booking entertainment, it encourages participants to perform for one another free of charge. It also doesn't sell goods.
But for attendees – who call themselves Burners – the cost of attending Burning Man can come to thousands of dollars between tickets, transport, accommodation, supplies, and costumes.
See how much it really costs to attend Burning Man.
Revenue numbers for 2018 weren't available, but Burning Man earned an estimated US$3.7 million in revenue, minus expenses, in 2017.
The cost of admission to Burning Man depends on when you buy tickets. Pre-sale tickets cost US$1,400, main sale tickets run for US$425, and late registration tickets cost US$550. Children aged 12 and under can attend for free.
Burning Man also offers a low-income ticket programme – approved applicants can purchase tickets for US$210 each.
