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Tens of thousands of Burning Man fans will gather at Nevada’s Black Rock Desert from Aug. 26 through Sept. 3 for the 32nd annual iteration — this time with an I, Robot theme — of the famous festival.
What began as a bonfire ritual with friends on San Francisco’s Baker Beach in 1986 has grown to become a vast, temporary city focused on artistic self-expression and self-reliance, which rises up from the desert sands for nine days each summer. A multitude of activities play out on the Playa each day — hundreds upon hundreds over the course of the festival. You already know all about the burning of the Burning Man on the Saturday before Labor Day. Here are 10 other must-see, must-do events — everything from sensational sangria parties to mutant monkey adoptions – to check out each day.
SUNDAY, AUG. 26: 10 hot events on opening day
- Eurotrash Sundown Sangria: 3-7:30 p.m. Aug. 26-Sept. 1. Hosted by Eurotrash Sangria and Tapas Bar. Location: 4:30 and G Plaza. Enjoy the best sangria on the Playa plus simple tapas, while listening to music from around the Latin world, including salsa, bachata, electrolatino and more.
- Hot Dogs and Gin & Tonics Everyday: 6 p.m.-midnight. Hosted by Wanderer’s Camp. Location 3:45 & G. Get your dance on and grab a hot dog — while quenching your thirst with a refreshing tonic. http://thewandererscamp.com/
- Gamelatron Programming: 6 p.m.-6 a.m. Aug. 26-Sept. 2. Hosted by Mirage Garage. Location: In smaller, private, peaceful tent outside of the main event tent in front yard. Come experience the world’s first fully robotic gamelan orchestra. A Gamelatron is a sound-producing kinetic sculpture and site-specific installation by Aaron Taylor Kuffner. https://bit.ly/2O1en5n
- Slow Burn Lounge: 6 p.m.-midnight, Aug. 26-Sept. 2. Hosted by Fandango! 21-plus welcome. Enjoy a freshly made cocktail, shade, seating, pool, piano and more. http://www.fandangobrc.com/
- Porch Whiskey: 6 p.m.-midnight Aug. 26-Sept. 2. Hosted by Whiskey Division. Location: 4:15 and A. Enjoy infused bourbon, mad dog margaritas, whiskey ginger and rot gut with a pickleback. Each offering lasts until the whiskey is gone.
- Morning Meditation: 6 p.m.-midnight Aug. 26-Sept. 2. Hosted by Run Free Camp. Morning meditation, varying formats including singing bowl, yoga and other media. http://runfreecamp.com
- Hotel California Grand Opening: 7-10 p.m. Hosted by Hotel California. The playa’s largest hotel and spa opens its doors. Come by for the celebration. https://facebook.com/hotelcaliforniabm
- Beyonce, Rosé and Bocce: 9-10 p.m. Hosted by Boom Boom Womb. Pretty self-explanatory. http://boomboomwomb.com/
- The Beginning of the End: 10 p.m.-midnight. Hosted by Mystikal Misfits. Location: Earth Piano Bar and Casino. Drink, dance and gamble. https://bit.ly/2mrTtQl
- Friend & Wedding = Fwedding: 11:45 p.m.-11:45 a.m. Aug. 26-Sept. 1. Hosted by Friendgasm. Location: 5:45 & 1 at FWED Chapel. Love your friend? Make it forever, with bracelets to make it official.
As for the rest of the fest, we’ve got picks for those, too, from opening day to the final full day of frolic:
- Top 10 events for Day 2, Aug. 27, including trampoline dodgeball and a chill tower hookah lounge
- Top 10 events for Day 3, Aug. 28, including cyr wheel how-tos and a murderous cocktail bash
- Top 10 events for Day 4, Aug. 29, including playground hops (and Scotch!) and a giant pig roast
- Top 10 events for Day 5, Aug. 30, including an aluminum bikini workshop
- Top 10 events for Day 6, Aug. 31, including epic BBQs, bicycle art and plenty of noodly goodness
- Top 10 events for Day 7, Sept. 1, including a bacon brunch and cosmological buffoonery
- Top 10 events for Day 8, Sept. 2, including a beer bong breakfast, a piratical Arrgh Bar and more
For a complete list of every Burning Man event, visit https://playaevents.burningman.org/
