Firefly is a participatory, community-driven event.

Photo by Joed

“Participatory” means all of us who attend work together to create this event. There is no paid staff– just the community that brings this together. The people setting up elaborate camps, the parking lot crew, the Rangers, and even the Leave No Trace group that stays after, are all community members. Everyone that comes to this event is expected to help out in some way beyond their own camp and art project.

If this is your first time, you will be pleasantly surprised by how this changes the usual paradigm of how an event plays out. YES, it is more work and NO, there is no one to pick up after you. But this creates a very strong community, and we all know we are in for this crazy ride together. Jump in, get involved, and see how it will change your life.

Our Culture

This event operates under the 10 Principles of Burning Man: not to dictate of how people should be and act, but as a reflection of the community’s ethos and culture as it has organically developed. Firefly, as a regional Burning Man organization, follows these principles:

Radical Inclusion, Gifting, Decommodification, Radical Self-reliance, Radical Self-expression, Communal Effort, Civic Responsibility, Leaving No Trace, Participation, Immediacy. 

Firefly is a Leave No Trace event. Everyone is responsible for packing out their own garbage and leaving the land just as we found it- plan ahead!

Firefly is a Gift Economy. There is no vending at the event, and no money changes hands for any goods or services. People often come prepared to share (“gift”) some thing, art, food, performance or interaction that they feel would add to others’ experience of the event. All of these interactions are consent-based of course.

We are also committed to creating an environment of artistic expression that is free from harassment. Please read the Code of Conduct before buying a ticket. Firefly reserves the right to eject people who harass or endanger others.

Get Involved Early

Announcements of things happening for Firefly 2016 can be found on this page. This includes various Firefly community gatherings (mostly in the Boston area) beforehand– come to an Open House or New Firefly Orientation and meet other awesome people!  You can sign up to get announcements by email too.

If you’re interested in joining in on planning Firefly, go to our Join a Core page to browse the many ways of getting involved. Volunteer cores are looking for more leadership, browse our open leadership positions here.

What’s the layout of the Firefly event typically look like? See the 2015 map.

See you in the woods!