What to Do if You Didn’t Get a Ticket to Burning Man

So you didn’t score in the main ticket sale? Don’t worry. In my experience, everyone who was wanted a ticket and was ready to go, got a ticket in time for the burn. As we say at Burning Man, The Playa Provides. Ask, believe, and receive… And try these:

STEP Ticket Exchange

If you didn’t get a ticket in the main sale, there’s still the Secure Ticket Exchange Program (STEP). This program is an automated system for face-value tickets directly purchased from Burning Man, which helps keep tickets circulating within the community, and minimizes the risk of scammers, counterfeit tickets, and scalpers.

You can sign up through your burner profile here. You can sign up for $575 tickets, which are in higher demand, or for the two higher price tier tickets, which are easier to come by. Good luck!

OMG Sale

The last sale of the year, the OMG Sale is on August 2, which still gives you three weeks to order your LEDs and pack your Burning Man outfits. There will be 3000 tickets and one of the 1,500 vehicle passes,

Register between July 26–28 for the opportunity to buy 2 tickets at $575 each (about $660 with fees) and and 1 vehicle pass at $150, or $160.

Buy From Another Burner

Tickets circulate, especially in the weeks and days leading up to the event. If you have a network of Burners, let them know you are looking for tickets through social media or irl.

If you don’t have that network, you can try Craigslist, ebay, Facebook Marketplace, or Burner groups on social media. However, there is a risk of getting scammed or buying a counterfeit ticket. Just like buying anything from a stranger online, be cautious, use your intuition, and try to find a source you can trust.

And please don’t buy (or sell) scalped tickets. The general rule of thumb with Burning Man tickets is sell & buy them at cost. Scalping goes against what Burning Man stands for (giving and inclusion).

Work on a project

Burning Man is all about community and creativity, and what better way to be a part of that than to join a team that’s doing something truly awesome? Every year, Burning Man issues tickets to critical theme camps, art installation crews, mutant vehicle crews, and other core Black Rock City infrastructure providers, creating some of the most stunning and awe-inspiring pieces at the festival it would be an honor to work on.

To earn your ticket this way, find a team that’s doing something that sparks your joy. Maybe it’s building a sculpture or helping to set up the city itself. Whatever it is, you’ll be part of a family of creatives who are working together to create something wonderful.

Not everyone who contributes to a project will get a ticket. But that shouldn’t stop you from trying. Start looking for a project now, and see if there are any honorarium projects near you. These are projects that received funding from Burning Man, and they’re a great way to get involved in the community and show off your creativity.

Go to a Regional Burn Instead

There are over 70 Burns throughout the world, including Israel’s Midburn, Nowhere in Spain, and AfrikaBurn in South Africa. These regional Burns are smaller but that means they can be more intimate. Plus, each Regional Burn has its own flavor, environment, and energy, and you’ll get to experience Burner culture in a new place.

Spend Your Time & Money Doing Something Equally Memorable

The world is vast and full of wonders, and there’s no reason to limit yourself to just one experience. Yes, Burning Man is an incredible experience, but so is a safari in Africa, trekking the Bolivian rainforest, or countless other adventures that cost as much as (or less than) your RV rental and tickets. Also, Beyoncé is playing in LA during the burn, so…