Burning Man Sees 20-Something Share Fall to 10% as 40s and 50s Overtake Them
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 3
Burning Man Sees 20-Something Share Fall to 10% as 40s and 50s Overtake Them
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 3
Summary
Burning Man’s 20-something attendance fell to about 10% in 2025 from nearly one-third in 2014, leaving attendees in their 40s and 50s more numerous than people in their 20s.
People in their 30s still make up the festival’s largest age group, but overall attendance has also slipped from its roughly 80,000 peak in 2019.
Volunteer-collected festival data and an online survey suggest the Nevada desert gathering is losing appeal with younger adults while drawing an older, wealthier crowd.
The shift underscores Burning Man’s evolution from a 1986 beach gathering in San Francisco into a sprawling event tied to celebrities, tech wealth, long lines and glamping.