Burning Man is an annual event that started in 1986 at Baker Beach in California and was moved to the Black Rock Desert of Nevada in 1990. Each year starting in 1996, the event is given a unique theme that serves as a guiding principle for the artistic expression and community engagement that takes place during the festival. We’ll take a look at the different Burning Man themes by year and provide a brief summary of what each theme was about.
1996: Decommodification
The first official theme for Burning Man was Decommodification, which aimed to encourage a shift away from consumer culture and towards a more sustainable and community-driven way of life. This theme set the tone for future Burning Man events, emphasizing the importance of self-expression, self-reliance, and communal effort.
1997: Fertility
The second year of Burning Man saw the introduction of the Fertility theme, which celebrated the creative power of nature and the human spirit. The centerpiece of the festival was a giant wooden effigy of a woman, symbolizing the fertility of the earth and the potential for new beginnings.
1998: Nebulous Entity
In 1998, the Burning Man theme was Nebulous Entity, which encouraged participants to explore the mysteries of the universe and their own consciousness. The festival featured a number of interactive art installations and performances that explored themes of identity, spirituality, and interconnectedness.
1999: The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time was the theme for Burning Man in 1999, which highlighted the cyclical nature of life and the impermanence of all things. The festival featured a number of installations and performances that reflected on the passing of time and the importance of living in the present moment.
2000: The Body
In the year 2000, the Burning Man theme was The Body, which celebrated the human form and the power of physical expression. The festival featured a number of art installations, performances, and workshops that explored themes of body positivity, sexuality, and personal expression.
2001: Seven Ages
Seven Ages was the theme for Burning Man in 2001, which explored the different stages of human life and the ways in which our experiences shape us over time. The festival featured a number of art installations, performances, and workshops that focused on themes of personal growth, self-discovery, and intergenerational connection.
2002: The Floating World
The Floating World was the theme for Burning Man in 2002, which explored the concept of a temporary, ever-changing world that exists outside of the norms and constraints of society. The festival featured a number of art installations and performances that encouraged participants to explore new ways of living and relating to one another.
2003: Beyond Belief
In 2003, the Burning Man theme was Beyond Belief, which encouraged participants to challenge their assumptions and expand their understanding of the world around them. The festival featured a number of art installations and performances that explored themes of spirituality, personal growth, and cultural diversity.
2004: Vault of Heaven
The Vault of Heaven was the theme for Burning Man in 2004, which celebrated the mystery and wonder of the cosmos. The festival featured a number of art installations and performances that explored themes of space, time, and the infinite possibilities of the universe.
2005: Psyche: The Conscious, The Subconscious, The Unconscious
Psyche was the theme for Burning Man in 2005, which explored the complexity and richness of the human psyche. The festival featured a number of art installations, performances, and workshops that encouraged participants to explore their inner selves and the hidden depths of their consciousness.
2006: Hope and Fear: The Future
The theme for 2006 was about exploring the possibilities of the future. Hope and Fear represented the two sides of what was to come, and encouraged participants to consider how their actions could influence the world in a positive or negative way.
2007: The Green Man
The 2007 theme was focused on environmentalism and sustainability. The Green Man was a symbol of nature and the cycles of life, and inspired participants to think about their impact on the planet.
2008: The American Dream
In 2008, the theme of Burning Man was The American Dream. This theme was meant to encourage participants to think about the values that make up the American identity, such as freedom, opportunity, and creativity.
2009: Evolution
The theme of Burning Man 2009 was Evolution. This theme was about exploring the ways in which humans have evolved over time, both physically and culturally. It also encouraged participants to think about how they could continue to evolve and grow as individuals.
2010: Metropolis
The theme of 2010 was Metropolis, which was inspired by the urban environment and the way it shapes our lives. This theme explored the relationships between people and their cities, and encouraged participants to think about how they could make their own cities more vibrant and livable.
2011: Rites of Passage
The 2011 theme was Rites of Passage. This theme focused on the transitions we make throughout our lives, and how they shape who we are. It encouraged participants to reflect on their own personal journeys and the milestones that have marked their own lives.
2012: Fertility 2.0
Fertility 2.0 was the theme of Burning Man in 2012. This theme celebrated fertility and the creative process, encouraging participants to explore the ways in which they could give birth to new ideas and projects.
2013: Cargo Cult
The 2013 theme was Cargo Cult, which was inspired by the phenomenon of cargo cults in Melanesia. This theme explored the ways in which people create their own belief systems and rituals, and how these practices shape their communities and identities.
2014: Caravansary
The 2014 theme was Caravansary. This theme was inspired by the ancient Silk Road, and encouraged participants to think about the connections that are made through travel and trade. It also explored the concept of hospitality and how it can bring people together.
2015: Carnival of Mirrors
The theme of Burning Man 2015 was Carnival of Mirrors. This theme was about the illusions we create in our lives, and the ways in which we can break free from them. It encouraged participants to think about the masks they wear and the roles they play, and how they can embrace their true selves.
2016: Da Vinci’s Workshop
In 2016, the theme of Burning Man was Da Vinci’s Workshop. This theme was inspired by the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci, and encouraged participants to explore their own creativity and curiosity.
2017: Radical Ritual
The theme for 2017 was Radical Ritual, which aimed to explore the role of ritual in our lives and its importance in building community. This theme inspired participants to create art installations and performances that celebrated the power of ceremony and tradition.
2018: I, Robot
The theme for 2018 was I, Robot, which explored the relationship between humans and machines. This theme encouraged participants to create art installations and activities that explored the intersection of technology and humanity, and the potential for both harmony and conflict in this relationship.
2019: Metamorphosis
The theme for 2019 was Metamorphosis, which celebrated the transformative power of change. This theme encouraged participants to create art installations and performances that explored the process of transformation, both physical and spiritual, and the role that change plays in personal growth and evolution.
2020: Multiverse (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
The theme for 2020 was Multiverse, which aimed to explore the infinite possibilities of parallel universes. Unfortunately, the physical event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A small subset still showed up on playa over the dates. There isn’t official numbers but estimates were at 5k people for the in person non-official event. There was also a virtual Burning Man experience some people took part in.
2021: The Great Unknown (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
The theme for 2021 was The Great Unknown, which encouraged participants to embrace the unknown and take risks. However, the event was cancelled due to ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. A group still showed up on playa over the dates. There was a drone show that took place on Saturday night when the man usually burns. It formed into a man in the sky and through the lit up drones, figuratively burned. Small art builds were there. A small temple like structure was there. Some mutant vehicles were there. Smaller camp like experiences were set up. The people that showed up used an app called W3W (What 3 Words) to claim areas ahead of time, self sort on playa, and find others without designated street signs. People brought their own porta potties. It was free so many locals showed up last minute. BLM was onsite, no burning of any kind was allowed and was always quickly shut down. Many people called the unofficial event gathering Renegade Burn and estimates of attendance were 20k+. There was also a virtual Burning Man experience some people took part in.
2022: Waking Dreams
This theme encouraged participants to not only embrace transformative dreams as is often done on playa but dream bigger and more surreal. We saw a lot of art and activities that were in the style of prominent dreamy artists like Salvador Dali all the way to Lewis Carroll and everywhere between.
2023: Animalia
The theme for 2023 was Animalia which brought out the animal side in all the art, camps, mutant vehicles, and offerings. At the end of the event everyone turned to fish from all the rain
Attendance: 77k
2024: Curiouser and Curiouser
The theme for 2024 was Curiouser and Curiouser which sounds like a nod to Alice in Wonderland but is more closely aligned with aliens and exploring the unknown.
Attendance: 76k
