- Annual gathering attracts numerous individuals to the Black Rock Desert, characterized by extensive pyres.
Every August, around 70,000 people descend upon the U.S. state of Nevada for the renowned Burning Man festival. Scheduled from August 25 to Labor Day (September 2), this seven-day celebration of music, art, and festivities draws a diverse crowd of artists, techno enthusiasts, pyrotechnicians, and the inquisitive from around the globe. In the heart of the Black Rock Desert's dried-up salt lake, attendees create a temporary metropolis called Black Rock City, constructing makeshift homes from tents and RVs. The climax of the event is the torch-lit burning of the Man, a towering wooden sculpture.
This year's theme, "Curiouser & Curiouser," takes inspiration from the popular children's book quote where a curious girl finds herself in a fantastical realm.
The past year saw unexpected downpours that transformed the desert into a soggy mess, making vehicle movement treacherous and halting access for emergency vehicles and visitors for days. Tens of thousands became trapped on the grounds until organizers finally reopened the remote access road. Untired, some adventurous visitors trekked through the muddy terrain to safely navigate their way back home on foot.
The year preceding this, the desert's usually arid climate reached temperatures of an intense 40 degrees Celsius during the festival. The long-range weather predictions for this week call for sunshine and moderate temperatures, with highs of up to 33 degrees Celsius.
The festival's beginnings trace back to 1986 when U.S. artist Larry Harvey (1948 - 2018) and a group of friends spearheaded the modest gathering on a San Francisco beach. As its popularity grew, the event made its way to Nevada's deserted landscapes in 1990.
Despite the unpredictable weather conditions that Black Rock City often faces, this year's festival is expected to be dry and warm. Thousands of attendees will once again descend upon the heart of Black Rock Desert, transforming it into the temporary metropolis of Black Rock City.
