One of the most frequently asked questions to the Fire Conclave Council is “How do we get a ticket to Burning Man if we don’t make it into the Fire Conclave?” This Shin Tip is meant to help you start planning on how to get to Burning Man just in case your group doesn’t make it into the Great Circle. This is mainly for people who have never been to Burning Man without their Conclave fire group, but want to be sure to go. It is not meant to be an end all to the information, but rather a short reference guide to help you on your way.
In this Issue:
- Exploring Ticketing Options
- Kids Tickets
- Setting Up A Burner Profile
- How Do I Get There?
- BM Regionals
- Final Thoughts
First things first, you need a ticket…
When your fire group is invited to join the Fire Conclave, your group will have access to discounted tickets. However, you won’t know if your group will make it into the Fire Conclave until July, and that may be too late to plan. So here are some things to know about tickets NOW just in case you don’t want to miss the burn.
- DGS/Steward Sale Tickets: If you are involved in an established theme camp they may have what are called Steward tickets available. The camp leaders will decide who gets these and they are usually Full Price tickets
- Primary Ticket Sales: there are multiple options, but for the purpose of this Shin Tip we will focus on the two you may want to pay attention to
- The first happens in early April. These are full price tickets.
- The second is the “OMG Sale” which happens at the end of July (after you find out if your group made it into the Conclave).
- The Ticket Aid Program (TAP)
- This program is something you apply for and gives you access to reduced Price Tickets and Vehicle Passes
- The application period for 2024 opens March 20th and closes when they hit their max or June 5th (whichever comes first).
- These tickets are the same price as the Fire Conclave Tickets
- You may apply every year (but will need to prove need each time)
- If you get a TAP ticket AND get accepted into the Fire Conclave, please keep your TAP ticket and state that you do not need a ticket when your shin submits their Ticket List of group members.
- Click here for more info: https://tickets.burningman.org/2024-ticket-aid-program/
If you buy full price tickets and then get into the Fire Conclave, here are your options:
- You may resell them (so you can afford fuel, right?) for the price you paid for them. Burning Man does not condone scalping, so please do not upcharge for your tickets.
- The Secure Ticket Exchange Program (STEP) was started as a way to buy and return tickets while avoiding scammers, counterfeits and scalpers, and keeps tickets circulating within the community.
- You may Gift your ticket to someone, in the spirit of our 10 Principles. Burning Man is devoted to unconditional gift giving
Click here to find out more information regarding Ticketing: https://tickets.burningman.org/
Kids Tickets…
Kids & families have been part of Burning Man since the first burn in 1986 on Bakers Beach. For those who have kids that are part of their fire group:
- Children 12 and under still get in free with their ticketed parents or legal guardians but need to have their own print-at-home kid Ticket. 13+ will need a regular ticket for entry into the event They can be part of your fire group and receive a discounted ticket if your group is chosen to perform in Fire Conclave.
- For more information and update, be sure to check out: https://survival.burningman.org/kids-and-families/kids-tickets/
What is a Burner Profile, and why you need one…
No matter which type of ticket you decide to go with, you will need a Burner Profile in order to register for ticket sales. Through your Burner Profile you can also volunteer, network with the Global Burning Man Community, and more. Click here to create or update your Burner Profile: https://profiles.burningman.org/
OK, So how do I get there?
For those of you new to Burning Man (or those who need a refresher course) we highly recommend reading the Burning Man Survival Guide: https://survival.burningman.org/
The most obvious way to get to Burning is by car. However, too many cars equals a lot of traffic, both on the roads leading into Burning Man and at the event itself. In order to help limit the amount of cars at Burning Man, every vehicle that enters the event is required to have a Vehicle Pass (VP). Plus, in order to offset our carbon footprint and alleviate the flow of traffic in and out of the event, there are a limited number of them. Please make sure the vehicle you are driving/riding in has one . VP’s are available in limited quantities via all the Ticket sales (including the Fire Conclave).
Other ways to get to Burning Man include Busses and Planes. That’s right, you can arrive on playa in style (with limited luggage) in a plane. Or fly to Reno or SF and catch the Burner Express Bus and skip the lines into Burning Man, sleep the whole way there and be the awesome refreshed and ready to help camp campmates that everyone loves.
Details here for both the Bus and Flying options – https://burnerexpress.burningman.org/
If you decide to arrive by bus or plane, getting all of your stuff there can be problematic. One thing you can do is bribe/barter with friends who are driving, or reach out to Theme Camps who arrive with a truck. If you are traveling from the east coast or internationally, you may not have local resources who you can get to help you transport your things. In these cases, check out your Burning Man Regional Contacts and see how they can help.
Have you heard about Burning Man Regional Contacts?
The Burning Man Regional Network plays a key role in the year-round extension of the Burning Man experience, supporting it as a global cultural movement. In cities around the world, Regional Contacts help local Burners connect with each other, while bringing Burning Man principles and culture into their local communities through events and activities, year-round. Find and get in touch with your closest Regional. They are a wealth of knowledge and can direct you to resources.
So how can Regionals help you get to Burning Man? Currently there are containers that (for a reasonable fee) ship from London, NY, DC, Philly, Boston (just to name a few) who help with transporting gear to and from the Playa.
Click here for more information: https://regionals.burningman.org/
Final Thoughts:
There are a million different ways to get to Burning Man. While the FC Council is happy to help where we can, you should also check out other resources. Half the fun (maybe more) of Burning Man is the preparation, and the community of people you get to meet along the way….
Flaming Regards…
The Fire Conclave Council
Crimson, Tabasco, Wrangler, Scorch and Natalie
Photo Credit: Espresso Buzz, Burn Night, 2019
