Burning Man

Get full access to The Daily Beast for $1

SUBSCRIBE

Burning Man

A security guard keeps people back during the annual Burning Man Festival on September 4, 2023.
DESERT DEVASTATION

Third Festivalgoer Dies at Burning Man

The attendee’s identity has not been revealed.

Lauren Hartley

Thousands of participants gather to watch the Man burn as approximately 70,000 people from all over the world gathered for the annual Burning Man arts and music festival in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, U.S. September 2, 2017.
DEATHS IN THE DESERT

Two Festivalgoers Die at Burning Man

No official cause of death has been released for either man.

Ewan Palmer

Attendees gather to watch the burning of "The Chapel of Babel," a work of art by Michael Burlington, during the annual Burning Man Festival in the early morning of September 5, 2023. Thousands of revelers stuck in the mud for days at the Burning Man festival in the US state of Nevada were told they could finally trek home on September 4, 2023, after torrential rain had prompted shelter-in-place orders. With the sun shining on the colorful makeshift community of 70,000 people called Black Rock City, the roads opened Monday afternoon, kicking off the official exit process known as the "Exodus." (Photo by Julie JAMMOT / AFP) (Photo by JULIE JAMMOT/AFP via Getty Images)
CRIME SCENE

Man Found in ‘Pool of Blood’ in Mystery Burning Man Homicide

Officials have asked festival attendees to come forward with information.

Cameron Adams

Orgy Dome
WHAT A BLOW

Burning Man’s Orgy Ended Prematurely by Severe Wind

The pleasure palace collapsed before the party could begin.

Erkki Forster

Joel Kinnaman and Kelly Gale on the red carpet in 2021.
BURNING LOVE

Actor and Victoria’s Secret Model Marry at Burning Man

Joel Kinnaman and Kelly Gale got engaged in January 2021.

Clay Walker

Burning Man attendees in 2017—a dense dust storm has held up participants leaving after the last day of Burning Man 2024.
PLAYA PANDEMONIUM

Burning Man Attendees Hit by Giant Dust Storm During Exodus

The world’s most notorious desert festival has battled repeat controversies in recent years, from on-site deaths to growing gentrification and outsized environmental impact.

Will Neal

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Burning Man 2024 has reported a death on site just 12 hours after the festival opened its gates.
DESERT DISASTER

Burning Man Attendee Dies Amid Chaotic Start to Festival

The death was reported not long after the festival was forced to briefly close its gates on Saturday due to 12 hours of nonstop rain.

Will Neal

Illustrated gif of a cheeseburger with a pearl necklace falling out of it with glitter sparkling.
opinion
BURN, MAN, BURN

Eating the Rich Sounds Pretty Good to Most of Us Right Now

From Burning Man schadenfreude to an angry populist hit song, there’s a palpable animosity for the uber-wealthy we haven’t seen since the 2008 financial crisis.

Erin Gloria Ryan

A satellite view shows a close up of tents during the 2023 Burning Man festival, in Black Rock Desert, Nevada, U.S., August 27, 2023.
PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Coroner Releases Suspected Cause of Burning Man Death

32-year-old Leon Reece was found unresponsive on Friday night while the festival was experiencing heavy rains.

Matt Young

Vehicles are seen departing the Burning Man festival in Black Rock City, Nevada, U.S., September 4, 2023.
SICK

Sheriff Shuts Down Burning Man Conspiracy Theories

The flooded festival had to contend with rumors of a deadly disease.

Kelly Weill

Dub Kitty and Ben Joos, of Idaho and Nevada, walk through the mud at Burning Man after a night of dancing with friends in Black Rock City
‘EXODUS’

Stranded Burning Man Attendees Finally Allowed to Leave

Heavy rains left more than 70,000 people stuck in the Nevada desert over the weekend.

Kelly Weill

ADVERTISEMENT

GET THE APP
Subscribe
Log In
Newsletters
Podcasts
AboutContactTipsJobsAdvertiseHelpCode of Ethics & StandardsInclusionTerms & ConditionsCopyright & TrademarkPrivacy

© 2026 The Daily Beast Company LLC