Why burners are suddenly burnt out on Burning Man and no one wants to go

On Thursday, yet another person posted to the Burning Man NYC Community Facebook Group looking to offload a ticket to the annual desert festival, which kicks off Sunday.

“I have a hard ticket for sale if anyone is interested,” the post read 

Alex Chaldyshev couldn’t help but respond with the laughing emoji and a “don’t we all.”

“I have seen 113 messages about people selling or wanting tickets,” said the 33-year-old software engineer who lives in New York City.

He’s been trying to sell his ticket, which he bought through official channels, since early August, without luck.

“No one wants them,” he said.

Last year’s Burning Man, the first since the pandemic, drew 80,000 people to Black Rock City, Nevada. This year, veteran burners expect only about 60,000 will show up.

Dust is a huge part of Burning Man. Reno Gazette Journal-USA TODAY N Burning Man 2022 ended in misery with an eight-hour traffic jam.CJ Yu/LIFESTYLOGY/TMX/Mega In 2022, Burning Man saw record-high temperatures. AP

Facebook groups and other platforms are flooded with people looking to sell tickets, which went for $575 to $2,750, plus tax, through official channels. Now, they’re being offloaded for just $100 or even given away for free as burners bail. (Burning Man permits tickets being resold so long as they’re not going for more than the original ticket price.)

Some cite financial issues amidst inflation, layoffs by tech companies and the entertainment industry strikes. Others say they’re just not up for eight days of scorching temperatures and seemingly endless dust, after last year’s gathering saw record-high triple digit temperatures — and an eight-hour traffic jam at the end.

“It was so hot and I don’t do well with heat,” said Chaldyshev. “I think a lot of people just don’t know if they can go through that again.”

The annual festival starts Sunday. Facebook/Sandy Dompkosky

He came to the conclusion that he certainly couldn’t.

“In the back of my mind I just kept thinking about how good I felt being on the bus home last year,” he said. “It was like ‘Thank God.’” 

Tanya Khani, 34, a health and wellness publicist who lives in Los Angeles, has gone to Burning Man for the past six years, even going as a “renegade” when the official festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021.

But this year, she’s bowing out due to inflation.

Tanya Khani has been to Burning Man for the past six years, but this year she’s skipping it due to Inflation. Courtesy of Tanya khani Khani said RV rentals were just too pricey this year. Courtesy of Tanya khani

In previous years, she has rented an RV with friend for $3,000 to $6,000. This year, when she looked at renting, RVs were going for $12,000 to $15,000. 

She was able to sell her ticket and has also been helping friends ditch theirs.

“It’s been so stressful,” she said. “I saw at least six or seven people across Facebook and Instagram selling tickets yesterday.” 

Some, like Bonnie Bliess, are still going, but they’re not going all out.

Bonnie Bliess typically goes with several friends, but this year she could hardly find anyone to go with her. Courtesy of Bonnie Biess

The 39-year-old, who lives in NYC and works as an entertainment photographer, has been a burner for over a decade. She always buys six tickets as soon as they go on sale. In years past, roping in friends and acquaintances hasn’t been an issue.

This year, only one friend opted in. She’s sold three of her tickets and is still trying to get rid of one.

Still, she’s optimistic she won’t be out of pocket for it.

“I have total faith in the universe that someone will claim this last ticket,” she said. “Burning Man is magic, things fall into place.”  

With few friends going, it doesn’t make financial sense to rent an RV as she usually does. So, she’ll be pitching a temp and going without showers or power, but she’s trying to stay positive.

“There is something about roughing it that makes it more of an experience. It’s really hot during the day and it’s cold at night and the dust is really intense,” she said. “The girl scout shit you have to do to make the tent situation work is a lot but you’re there with a camp and community. It’s all about radical self reliance.”