2026 Burning Man Newbie Orientation
New to Burning Man? Not new, but looking for ways to kick off your big push to get to the playa? We’re doing it a bit differently this year. Our Newbie Orientation will be held virtually, in 2 parts, on Sunday, June 14th.
Part 1: – The event has concluded – Recordings and more are available here
You are invited to participate in a Global Newbie Event presented by Auntie Athena at Burnersphere, the official virtual Burning Man Experience. You can join via zoom or you can join Burnersphere (free) and attend the event inside the virtual Black Rock City. Either way you decide to attend, you will get a virtual tour of the playa and be introduced to all the things you need to know to prepare yourself for a great burn.
- More details are at https://burnersphere.com/event/newbie-orientation/
- Join the Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/share/17ccXA9rNu/
Part 2: 4:00pm, via Zoom with some of your Arizona Regional Contacts
Zoom link: Event has concluded – see Resources below for video recording, etc.
We’ll be ready to answer your questions, share our own experience and insights regarding getting to, being at, and decompressing from “that thing in the desert”. We’ll also have info by that time on our AZ Burners annual gathering on the playa and ways to connect with other AZ Burners heading to Black Rock City this year.
Resources
- Files from the Global Newbie Event hosted on 06/14/2026
- Driving Directions from Tucson and Phoenix to Black Rock City
- Speed limits – particularly in small towns and on playa
- Additional useful info about Law Enforcement
- Reno to BRC – Try the Burner Express (Bus or Air), Green Tortoise, or RideShare options
- Packing Lists and more…
- Costumes and Health on Playa
- Sex and Burning Man
- Bureau of Erotic Discourse (BED) is a team of volunteers who provide info/education about the “11th principle” of Burning Man: Consent. You can easily get in BED by becoming a Consent Ambassador or your camps BEDucator.
- Burning Man Resources
- 10 Principles
- Survival Guide
- First Timer’s Guide
- Preparation Resources
- Mobility Camp – Radical Inclusion by Radical Accessibility
- Volunteering at BM https://burningman.org/event/participate/volunteering/teams/
- Supplementary Air Medivac Insurance (Coming Soon) – Burning Man Org has first aid stations and a M.A.S.H style ER (aka Rampart at Esplanade and Center Camp) but if you need an ambulance ride to Reno or a helicopter medivac, you (and your insurance) are responsible for those costs. This supplementary insurance can save you from expensive bills.
- How to contact someone in an emergency on Playa https://burningman.org/event/preparation/health-safety/emergency-contact/
- Burning Man Hive (the Burner social network)
- You must have a Burner Profile to access https://profiles.burningman.org/
- Burning Man Hive home: https://hive.burningman.org
- Touching Down – A BRC Orientation https://hive.burningman.org/courses/6718632/content
- Black Rock City 2022 https://hive.burningman.org/topics/6440253
- Ask a Burner https://hive.burningman.org/topics/7313281
2025 Burning Man Newbie Orientation
First time to Burning Man? An AZ Burners Newbie Event is for you! Prepare yourself! Get warmed up at one of the Arizona Burner Newbie Events!
Burning Man is based on 10 principles. To be a “Burner” you will be well versed in these principles and you can learn them here in a fun and interactive way!
Burning Man is a radically self-reliant event. What should you bring? It’s not all about costumes! We will be reviewing your ideal packing list to ensure you will have everything you will need to survive in the desert for a week. You must be prepared for extreme temperatures, potential rain, wind and dust. Did I mention dust????
We covered some safety tips and mental health awareness so your mind and body will be functioning at capacity in order for you to have one of the best experiences of your life.
See Resources below.
- Phoenix Newbie Orientation
- Date: Concluded
- Time:
- 4-6pm: Newbie Orientation
- 6-7pm: Pizza and Potluck
- After that: Pool and party time
- Location: Phoenix
- Register: Concluded
- Volunteer: Concluded
- Tucson Newbie Orientation
- Date: TBD – Awaiting a volunteer with a location – If you can host up to 20 people, please contact arizona@burningman.org
- Time: 3:00pm-6:00pm
- Location: Tucson
- Register: Pending
Veteran Burner?
Do you have wisdom to share about how to have a great burn? We’d love for you to be a presenter! Want to help set up and/or clean up? We’d love your help! Send an email to arizona@burningman.org.
2024 Burning Man Newbie Welcome Event
2023 Burning Man Newbie Orientation
- ZOOM: Recording of the 2023 AZBurner’s Newbie Orientation
and enter the pass code s6ha^E41 - Can’t make it?
Check the AZ Burners website Resources Page and scroll to the Newbie Orientation section.
Will there be an event in Northern AZ?
If you’re interested in hosting, send an email to arizona@burningman.org and we’ll work with you to make it happen!
2022 (Last year’s) Event Recording
NOTE: Click this link to view on YouTube and view the NOTES for an agenda, and jump to topics that are of interest to you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inMUzv8eYJo
Agenda
There will be plenty of topics within each of the sections below, all presented to you by various local veteran Burners.
- Welcome!
- The Burning Man Experience – Setting Your Expectations
- Life At Burning Man (the biggest section)
- Getting to Burning Man
- Leaving Black Rock City and Returning to Default World
- Decompression
- Wrap Up and More Resources For You