A vibrant procession of Burners dancing through the desert at Burning Man 2024. (Speed Raver via Facebook)
Burning Man 2024 was a wild ride, with Mother Nature throwing a few curveballs that no one saw coming.
The nine-day festival, which ran from Aug. 25 through Sept. 2, reportedly welcomed around 70,000 attendees to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert for a unique blend of radical self-expression, community and creativity that has come to define Burning Man since it was founded by Larry Harvey in 1986.
Despite not selling out for the first time since 2011, the festival delivered awe-inspiring art installations and spontaneous performances, culminating in the traditional burning of the Man.
The event faced challenges during its first weekend with rain delays and the death of an attendee. The second weekend brought intense dust storms that made the trek out of the desert a daunting task for many Burners. Nevertheless, the spirit of Burning Man remained steadfast as participants embraced the chaos that’s become a hallmark of the festival’s unpredictable nature.
Here are some of the most memorable moments of this year’s festival captured in photos.
The Burning Man structure stands tall in the desert. (via Facebook)
The "I'm Fine" sculpture by Ukrainian artist Oleksiy Sai acts as a symbol for how Ukrainians continue to stand strong in the face of ongoing war. (Ukrainian Witness via Getty Images)
Ukrainian artist Oleksiy Sai. (Ukrainian Witness via Getty Images)
Sai poses during the installation of his "I'm Fine" Sculpture. (Ukrainian Witness via Getty Images)
Crowds gather as Ukrainian DJ Tapolsky performs in front of the "I'm Fine" sculpture. (Ukrainian Witness via Getty Images)
An art installation featuring a spirit soaring against the backdrop of the Black Rock Desert at twilight. (via Facebook)
Towering geometric structures creating a serene and otherworldly atmosphere. (Koyal Jahan Mim via Facebook)
Burners gather under the full moon to witness a mesmerizing fire-breathing installation. (Koyal Jahan Mim via Facebook)
An awe-inspiring mechanical beast captivates Burners as they explore the desert on their bikes. (Koyal Jahan Mim via Facebook)
As the sun sets over the Black Rock Desert, Burners gather around the Burning Man structure. (Speed Raver via Facebook)
As the sky paints a dramatic backdrop, this intricate and otherworldly structure stands tall. (Speed Raver via Facebook)
Burners step into a mesmerizing vortex of color and light. (Fabrice Grinda via Facebook)
Burners relax under a mesmerizing neon butterfly beneath the desert sky. (Speed Raver via Facebook)
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