PORTLAND, Ore. – For anyone still coming down from last week’s Burning Man in Nevada—or for those curious about the desert phenomenon—Portland is bringing the spirit of the playa a little closer to home.
On Oct. 18, Cathedral Park will host BurnOn, a Burning Man Decompression event and art show organized by Precipitation Northwest and Portland’s local burner community.
Radical Inclusion at the Core
BurnOn will embrace Burning Man’s first principle: radical inclusion. Organizers say the event is designed to welcome people of all ages into a creative, participatory experience featuring art installations, immersive works, live performances, and—weather and safety permitting—fire after dark.
In keeping with Burning Man’s ethos, there will be no vendors on-site. Instead, guests are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks to share. While entry is free, organizers suggest a donation of $5–$25 to help cover event costs such as permits and restroom facilities.
“Portlanders are very much encouraged to bring their own creativity to the event within the bounds of what is permissible in a family-friendly setting in a public park,” said one event producer, who goes by the burner name Partybutt. “Costumes, portable art, and general creative good times are strongly encouraged.”
What Is a Decompression?
For the uninitiated, Burning Man is an annual weeklong gathering in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert centered on self-expression, community, and art. Tens of thousands attend from around the world, contributing to a temporary city that culminates in the burning of “the Man,” a massive wooden effigy.
Decompression events sprout up in cities around the globe after the main gathering ends in early September. These events act as reunions for burners, while also inviting new participants to sample the culture in more accessible, urban settings.
“Decompression is about reconnecting with the spirit of the burn,” explained organizers. “It’s a chance to share art, stories, and community without having to travel to the desert.”
Precipitation Northwest at the Helm
The nonprofit Precipitation Northwest, a volunteer-run group based in Portland, is producing this year’s BurnOn. The organization is no stranger to bringing Burning Man’s spirit to Oregon. In addition to the Portland decompression, it also organizes SOAK, a regional burn held annually in Tygh Valley.
Both events are officially sanctioned by the Burning Man Project, which ensures local gatherings align with the event’s 10 guiding principles: radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification, radical self-reliance, radical self-expression, communal effort, civic responsibility, leaving no trace, participation, and immediacy.
What to Expect at BurnOn
While the lineup of artists and performers is still being finalized, attendees can expect a mix of interactive art pieces, music, and creative performances throughout the day. Fire dancers and other flame-based art may also light up Cathedral Park once the sun goes down—though organizers caution that burn bans and fire restrictions could limit those elements.
More than just a show, BurnOn encourages participation over spectatorship. Anyone attending is invited to bring their own creations—whether it’s an art installation, music, costumes, or simply a willingness to dance and engage with others.
A Community Gathering
For Portland’s burners, BurnOn is both a homecoming and a chance to share their culture with the broader community.
“It’s about creating connection in the here and now,” said Partybutt. “You don’t have to have been to the desert to belong here. If you’re willing to show up with openness and creativity, you’re already part of it.”
As the sounds of music and laughter spill through Cathedral Park on Oct. 18, organizers hope attendees—whether seasoned burners or first-timers—will find a little piece of the desert’s magic right here in Portland.
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