27 beautiful, inspiring, and super cool photos from Burning Man 2016

Burning Man is the kind of event you’re either devastated you missed or wonder why on earth anyone would ever go.

So while they say there’s something for everyone in the Nevada desert, Burning Man is a polarizing festival to say the least. Burners treat their annual pilgrimage as the ultimate freedom and escape, while anti-burners prefer to view the week long retreat as little more than a hippie’s playground.

And it’s probably a little of both.

Either way, when more then 70,000 people come together to celebrate art, to party, eat, drink, dance camp, and suffer through dust storms, some magic sure can happen.

So whether or not it’s your jam, Burning Man 2016 was certainly something to behold.

Here are 27 pictures (including the cover shot) to prove it:

A photo posted by pedrobelmiro (@pedrobelmiro) on Sep 6, 2016 at 1:26pm PDT

A photo posted by Travel is the new sexy 💄🌎👠 (@travel_is_the_new_sexy) on Sep 6, 2016 at 1:23pm PDT

A photo posted by Reem Edan (@reemedan) on Sep 6, 2016 at 1:23pm PDT

Is the Vandalism of White Ocean the Latest Sign of How Much Burning Man Has Changed? Read our editorial on the site. Link via bio. #6amgroup #burningman #burningman2016 #whiteocean

A photo posted by 6AM (@6amgroup) on Sep 6, 2016 at 1:14pm PDT

Lord Snort #burningman #burningman2016 #miyazaki #nofilter #art #metalwork

A photo posted by Director.Cinematographer (@zimranlucero) on Sep 6, 2016 at 1:08pm PDT

Black Rock City #blackrockcity #burningman2016 #burningman #sky #nevada

A photo posted by Director.Cinematographer (@zimranlucero) on Sep 6, 2016 at 1:05pm PDT

Fantasy Art Car #burningman2016 #artcar

A photo posted by Arianna Strong (@_thunderbyrd_) on Sep 6, 2016 at 12:58pm PDT

A photo posted by @burningmanfestival on Sep 6, 2016 at 12:55pm PDT

🔥BM🔥 #burnergirls #blackrockcity #nevada #outfit #burningman2016 #burningman #desierto#loveyourself @humanothetribe

A photo posted by Irene Gonzalez Toboso (@irenegtob) on Sep 6, 2016 at 12:46pm PDT

Walking tall. Photo from @dusty_yelle

A photo posted by @burnerstyle on Sep 6, 2016 at 12:27pm PDT

#burningman2016

A photo posted by Ronen Goren (@ronengoren) on Sep 6, 2016 at 12:26pm PDT

A photo posted by Oksana (@oksana_haiduchok) on Sep 6, 2016 at 12:25pm PDT

#prodigalswan #burningman2016 #artcar #fire

A photo posted by kyle bernard (@supersymmetrydesigns) on Sep 6, 2016 at 12:56pm PDT

What you seek, is seeking you… #elhijodeldueño #BurningMan2016 #BlackRockCity #ThePlaya #absoluthappiness #burningmanphotos

A photo posted by Sergio Rodman (@_sugargram) on Sep 6, 2016 at 12:14pm PDT

A photo posted by Arianna Strong (@_thunderbyrd_) on Sep 6, 2016 at 12:08pm PDT

A photo posted by Nate Cahoon (@natecahoon) on Sep 6, 2016 at 1:00pm PDT

A photo posted by Bobby Denton (@bobby_rocket) on Sep 6, 2016 at 11:31am PDT

A photo posted by Sean Monteine 🇸🇪🇮🇱 (@seanmonteine) on Sep 6, 2016 at 11:21am PDT

A photo posted by @jwongie on Sep 6, 2016 at 11:15am PDT

A photo posted by Shannon Puma Drake (@jaguarheart) on Sep 6, 2016 at 11:11am PDT

A photo posted by Wet Dog Dave (@uptowndallasdave) on Sep 6, 2016 at 11:03am PDT

The sculptures at Burning Man 2016 were next level!! Wish we were sitting inside this massive horn turntable right now ✨ Regram from @burningmanfestival  #playa home #burningman #burningman2016 #blackrockcity #desertdream #sculpture #horn #turntable

A photo posted by eventseeker (@eventseeker) on Sep 6, 2016 at 11:43am PDT

The most incredible experience ever @burningman – I’ve met so many amazing new friends and enjoyed the freedom without phone and wifi for a whole week! #earth #burningman2016 #everyoneshouldgo #explorer #dreamers #doers #desert

A photo posted by F I O N A J A N E 🌙 (@byfionajane) on Sep 6, 2016 at 11:46am PDT

found my spirit animal on the playa 🦂 [photo]: @megatronicuk #burningman2016 #caravanoflight

A photo posted by Alexandra Mandelkorn (@mandelkorn) on Sep 6, 2016 at 12:25pm PDT

Just got back from the desert #davincisworkshop #burningman2016 🔥

A photo posted by @abi_with_an_eye_ on Sep 6, 2016 at 12:57pm PDT

A photo posted by Alina (@numalina) on Sep 6, 2016 at 11:49am PDT