Burning Man can really only be defined by experiencing it. Miles from the nearest town, the thousands of participants must bring everything they will need to survive in the desert. Monetary transactions are not allowed at the festival. The ticket to Burning Man warns that participants risk serious injury or death by attending the event. The society is defined by the rules that have been established over the years, and by the feeling of community that develops through shared creative efforts.
Many participants form camps grouped around community projects.
Each camp has an interactive element, with open invitations to all who wish to participate. Art, costumes, dancing, and music dominate the playa. Images from last year's fiery revelry. Near the end of the weeklong culture jam, participants burn a giant wooden effigy in a cathartic celebration that gives the event its name. And then the ephemeral city disappears, leaving no trace in the desert.