Burning Man Goes Virtual for 2020

Burning Man has announced that it will forgo this year’s annual festival at Black Rock, and instead create an online-only version of Black Rock city this August.

The Announcement, neutrally titled ‘The Burning Man Multiverse in 2020’ offers refunds to early ticket buyers, while offering up a tweaked version of the event "I am not here to tell you we are cancelling Burning Man," Burning Man CEO Marian Goodell said in the video statement. "I am going to tell you that we are inviting you to come to the virtual Burning Man. Black Rock City 2020 is in the multiverse."

"We’re going to lean into [the multiverse theme]," the Borg wrote in its announcement. "Who would have believed it would come true? We look forward to welcoming you to Virtual Black Rock City 2020. We’re not sure how it’s going to come out; it will likely be messy and awkward with mistakes. It will also likely be engaging, connective, and fun."

Can Burning Man be experienced from home? I must admit, having been a few times, it will be a tall order. How does one get lost in their own home? Where are the bikes and the art installations? The 24 music and mayhem coupled with generosity and strangers from strange lands? How will that translate to shelter in place? I’m fascinated by the thought of how this can be achieved.

Burning Man is one of several entertainment events that has shut down amid the public health emergency. Last month, promoter Goldenvoice announced that Coachella — another major desert festival — had been rescheduled to the weekends of Oct. 9 and Oct. 16.

Other canceled or postponed events include SXSW, Marfa Art Invitational, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and the Met Gala, among many others.