The Burning Man Festival

The burning of a 40-ft-high wooden man in the middle of the Black Rock Desert is only a small part of the eight-day-long Burning Man Festival. The most important part of the festival involves living in a temporary purpose-built city community and testing your self expression and self reliance. This can be in the form of participating in art projects and community life or just letting yourself go a bit crazy to the beat of your own drum. More than 39,000 people now attend the event which has grown from being a beach party celebrating the summer solstice to the incarnation of personal freedom, radical self expression and de-commodification. If you’re looking for a totally unique experience, this will provide you with one, but only if you participate. Be aware that currency is discouraged at the event (it can only buy you coffee and ice), normal vehicles are not permitted (though mutant or purpose built and ‘art’ cars are welcome) so bring a bicycle, and be aware that clothing optional. But entertainment is at a premium and all kinds of musical, theatrical and visual arts performances happen spontaneously, in addition to less orthodox events like raves and mud wrestling parties.