Burning Man has become a wrinkled sausage fest of aging millennial men, data shows
New York Post • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Burning Man attendance has declined from a peak of nearly 80,000 in 2019 to about 70,000 in 2023, with a notable increase in attendees aged 40 and older.
- The proportion of participants under 30 has dropped significantly from 30% in 2014 to 14% in 2025, suggesting older generations are sustaining the event's culture.
- Men continue to outnumber women at the festival, making up 56% of attendees, although the visibility of female toplessness has decreased sharply in recent years.
- Attendees are generally wealthier, with half earning over $100,000 annually, but the rising costs of tickets and supplies, now totaling around $1,775 or more, are making the event less affordable.
- Despite challenges like weather disruptions and increased expenses, longtime participants note that Burning Man remains a unique and challenging experience distinct from mainstream music festivals.
