On March 3rd, 2025, we hosted our Newbie Night—an info session to cover the essentials, from “What is SideBurn?” and “Can I bring my chinchilla?” to practical tips on packing, getting involved, and what to expect at this year’s gathering. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned attendee, there was something for everyone!
If you missed the event or need a refresher on key details, we’ve shared our slide deck below for easy access.
We hope you are as excited as we are for SideBurn! We bet you’re wondering how to get a ticket. There are three ways to get tickets – staff tickets, theme camp/art grant tickets, and general sale. We’ll focus on general sales because most people get tickets that way and because if you’re one of the other two, you’ll be told individually what you have to do to get your ticket.
Important: Our general ticket sale is NOT first-come, first-serve. We do this to make the system a bit more fair and accessible (for example, if you work when the tickets went on sale, you might miss out), and it also reduces strain on our ticketing system by spreading out our busy times.
To get tickets for our general sale, you need to create an account on our ticketing portal. If you’re new, sign up for an account, but if you bought a ticket last year, your account has already been created, and you should use your previous account.
Please don’t create multiple accounts with different email addresses! If we see multiple accounts with the same legal name, we assume you’re trying to double your chances for a ticket, and we may delete the account.
If you have problems with your account, email ticketing@sideburn.ca, and we’ll help you out right away. Password reset can help if you’re locked out.
During our general sale registration period, between March 8-15 inclusive, you can log into the ticketing portal, and you’ll see a button that says “Register here”. Click that button to add yourself to the general sale tickets list.
On March 17th, we’ll shuffle all the names on that list into a random order and send out ticket offers.
Each ticket offer will be sent to your email and is only valid for 72 hours, so don’t delay if you get one!
If you miss your offer window, you can add yourself back to the waiting list. Your name will be re-added at the back of the queue if you’re still interested in a ticket.
This year, tickets are:
A small fee will be added to ticket costs for payment processing.
Don’t worry! If you log into the ticketing portal after the registration period, click the “Register Here”, button and add yourself to the list. You’ll be dropped into the queue behind everyone who registered during the registration period. There’s still a very strong chance you’ll get a ticket as people cancel and more tickets are added to the pool. You can join the waiting list until May 7, and we’ll keep sending out offers until that evening.
You can cancel your ticket anytime before 6 PM on May 7. This is the last time your cancelled ticket can be offered to another SideBurner. You can cancel your ticket and receive a refund by logging into the portal and pressing “change my order” at the top.
Concerned about participation barriers in attending this year’s SideBurn? Our Equity Program offers two streams of support for ticketing and participation, and we’re now accepting applications!
Applications close May 6th 2025. For any further information or accessibility requests, email equity@sideburn.ca.
Lots more ticketing info is available on our ticketing website, including anything you need to know about vehicle passes, minor tickets, RV passes and more.
Read all that and still have questions? Email ticketing@sideburn.ca to talk to a member of our team!
Are you ready to create a Theme Camp that adds creativity, energy, and immersive experiences to Sideburn? Registration is open! While Art Grants have closed, Theme Grants are still available to help support your camp in building out your space and enhancing your contributions to the event.
Registration and grant applications close February 17th 2025.
We’re looking for a Fire Spinner Safety Lead to help coordinate and ensure a safe, inclusive and unforgettable experience for our performers and attendees! This is a crucial role, and applications close by February 14th. If you have experience with fire performance and safety, this is your chance to be part of the magic!
Got questions about general sale tickets and timelines? Our upcoming March newsletter will include everything you need to know.
Here’s a quick overview:
Stay tuned for more details in next month’s update! In the meantime, visit our website for the latest ticketing details.
Concerned about participation barriers in attending this year’s SideBurn? Our Equity Program offers two streams of support for ticketing and participation, and we’re now accepting applications! Applications close May 6th 2025.
Not as into Facebook these days? No problem! Stay connected with us on the new SideBurn Discord, where you’ll get event updates alongside our existing channels on Facebook, Instagram, our website, and our newsletter.
Friday February 14th | 10 pm
Heartbreaker’s Ball: A Tarna Fundraiser | Revival, Toronto | Get Tickets
Saturday February 15 | 10:30 pm
Pineapples Republic Presents Hearts & Tutus | Rivoli, Toronto | Get Tickets
Whether you’re bringing a new idea to life, enhancing an existing project, or exploring something playful and whimsical, there are grants to support your creative vision.
Available Grants:
Have questions about art grants? For full details, visit our website, or join our virtual Info Session on January 11th at 2 PM EST to get all the information you need to bring your project to life. Join the session here.
Art grant applications close January 31st, 2025.
Are you ready to create a Theme Camp that adds creativity, energy, and immersive experiences to Sideburn? Registration is now open and Theme Grants are here to help support your camp in building out your space and enhancing your contributions to the event.
Registration and grant applications close February 17th 2025.
Concerned about participation barriers in attending this year’s SideBurn? Our Equity Program offers two streams of support for ticketing and participation, and we’re now accepting applications!
For more information on equity ticketing and accessibility at SideBurn visit our website. Applications close May 6th 2025.
Be a maker of magic. These volunteer roles offer you the chance to contribute to SideBurn 2025, and as a token of appreciation, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase a directed ticket. We’re currently looking to fill the following volunteer positions:
Art Grant Review Committee Members
We’re looking for volunteers to join the 2025 Art Grant Review Committee! Responsibilities include a virtual meeting in late January to review the grant process, followed by independent blind reviews of applications. Committee members will then participate in virtual meetings in February to determine the grant awards. If interested, email art@sideburn.ca by January 12th with a brief statement on why you’d like to join the committee.
Engagement Lead
Love meeting new people and sharing the magic of Burning Man’s 10 Principles? We want you as our Engagement Lead! Introduce our ethos to participants, lead a small group of volunteers, spark conversations, and help others discover SideBurn’s unique culture. If interested, email rebecca@sideburn.ca and let’s spark some community magic together!
Sanctuary Leads
We’re looking for Leads to join the Sanctuary team for SideBurn 2025. Sanctuary offers a safe space for those feeling overwhelmed, and Leads will take a 12-hour on-call shift to support the team and assist with participant needs that exceed the capacity of Sanctuary listeners. Experience in mental health services, Sanctuary operations, or similar roles is welcome. If interested, email alex@sideburn.ca with your background and why you’d like to join the team.
Want to get involved in other roles at SideBurn 2025? Visit our website to explore more volunteer opportunities and find the perfect fit for you!