Happenings

Burn2 Events in 2026

Dates for Burn2's events in 2026

Our planning meetings are open to the public, held 9pm SLT on Thursday evenings and 9am SLT Sunday mornings.

Winter Burn

January 23-25, 2026
Theme: Winter Gardens

Burnal Equinox

April 17-19, 2026
Theme: Under the Surface - An Underwater Fantasy

Bubbles, light shafts, and particle effects simulate depth and motion

Everything moves slowly, fluidly, as if shaped by unseen currents. The environment reacts to sound and presence, creating the feeling of being truly submerged.

Event Structure
Duration: 4–6 hours
Format: Open, exploratory, drop-in immersive experience with rotating performances

Primary Zones
1. The Current (Main Stage)
DJ booth integrated into a glowing sea form (jellyfish, leviathan, or coral spire)
Music progression from ambient and downtempo to deep house, techno, and experimental
Visuals, lighting, and particle effects synced to audio

2. The Reef (Social & Exploration Zone)
Chill spaces formed from coral, shells, and glowing flora
Ambient soundscapes and slow visual movement
Interactive objects that respond to proximity or touch

3. The Depths (Ritual & Performance Space)
Spoken word, interpretive dance, experimental visuals
Thematic moments where the environment subtly transforms
Quiet, introspective energy contrasting the main stage

Participation & Co-Creation
Below the Surface is designed around participation, not spectatorship:
Attendees encouraged to wear underwater, bioluminescent, or creature avatars

Open call for DJs, VJs, dancers, and performance artists
Interactive elements that respond to movement, chat, or crowd density
Optional “gifting” through temporary visual effects, animations, or light auras
Everyone present becomes part of the living environment.

Alignment with Burning Man Principles
Radical Self-Expression: Creative avatars and performances encouraged
Participation: Interactive design with no passive audience
Communal Effort: Built and performed by a collective
Immediacy: Fully immersive, real-time experience
Decommodification: No branding, vendors, or advertising
Leave No Trace: Entire build removed after the event

Technical Considerations
Optimized Second Life build (script limits, LOD control, performance testing)
Streamed audio with redundancy
Clear landing and orientation area
Cam-friendly design for accessibility and exploration

Promotion & Outreach
Teaser visuals featuring bioluminescent sea life and submerged architecture
Short lore-based announcements (e.g., “Something is moving below the surface…”)
Listings in BURN2 calendars and in-world event notices

Closing Moment
As the event reaches its final phase, the ocean subtly changes—lights intensify, sound swells, creatures gather. Then, slowly, the glow fades. The sea grows quiet. The space dissolves.
Nothing remains—except the shared memory of what existed below the surface.

Conception

July 24-26, 2026
Theme: The First Spark

The First Spark
Before form, before flame… there was an idea.
Cosmic ignition, primordial chaos
Fire as the moment of “yes”
Birth of stars, worlds, stories
Installations that activate suddenly

Octoburn

October 16-25, 2026
Theme: Axis Mundi

Our Octoburn tradition each year is to follow the same art theme that Burning Man does at BRC. You can read more about "Axis Mundi" here.

The week of the 26th of October through 1st of November is our "afterglow week". Visitors are welcome to visit the playa and explore the camps, grab some gifts, and interact with various elements on the camps. Just explore, all across the regions!

On Saturday 7th November, noon and 6pm SLT/Pacific, there will be a culmination of the event with SKIN BURN, a reprise burn of the Man with everyone attending in a low complexity avatar.