Author: Suzan Hill

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✨ Be a Maker of Magic: Volunteer and Help Shape SideBurn 2026! ✨

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Filling volunteer shifts is key to SideBurn’s success and the future of our community. We ask that everyone, including theme camp participants, sign up for at least one shift.

New this year! Volunteers who contribute 12 hours or more during the event will receive a directed ticket to next year’s burn. It’s our way of thanking the people who show up, pitch in, and help make the magic happen.

Ready to get involved? You can access the volunteer portal through the link you received after purchasing your ticket. From there, explore available shifts and sign up for roles across the following departments:

    • City Department
    • Department of Public Works (DPW)
    • Fire Arts Safety Team (FAST)
    • Flow
    • HIVE
    • Rangers
    • Safety

To learn more about specific roles available, tips for a smooth shift, and our volunteer policies, visit our website for more details. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at volunteer@sideburn.ca.

We can’t wait to see you there and make magic together!

📣 Critical Volunteer Roles: Join Our Team

SideBurn runs on community effort, and we currently have several key volunteer roles open. Whether you’re interested in on-site coordination, technical support, or creative contributions, there’s a place for you to get involved and help make SideBurn a success.

Learn More

👷 Ranger & Safety Training

Rangers

All Rangers must complete our online course (launching soon!). Come help us facilitate the fun and keep our community safe. We have so much love for everyone willing to take on a Grave shift. You are the real MVPs!

Sign up for training

Safety

This department requires training, but whether you’re a seasoned peer-support pro or brand new to the practice, we have a path for you.

  • Returning Volunteers: Complete your refresher training online at your own convenience.
  • New Volunteers: Join us for an in-depth, in-person training session on-site Friday morning.

Shifts are 4 hours and sober. You’ll need to wear neutral attire (we’ll provide the shirt!) and bring a loving, non-judgmental attitude. If you’re someone who stays calm under pressure and wants to make a real difference, we’d love to have you.

Sign up for training

🎨 Independent Art

Planning to bring an art project to SideBurn but didn’t receive a grant? We’d still love to feature your work! To ensure your piece is included on the SideBurn 2026 map and placed in the best possible location, make sure to register your art by March 22nd 11:59 PM EST.

Register

🎪 It’s time to add your offerings into the WWW Guide!

Got something amazing planned for SideBurn? Whether it’s a theme camp, art piece, workshop, food gift, or any wild and wonderful experience, make sure people know about it in the What, Where, When (WWW) Guide!

We’re reaching out directly to all camp leads to make sure your events, projects, and experiences are included. Even if you didn’t receive grant funding, everyone’s welcome to submit by April 30th!

Add to the WWW Guide

🔥 Fire Spinners get Ready!

Fire spinning brings movement, light, and energy to the heart of SideBurn. Whether you’re an experienced performer or just starting out, there are many opportunities to spin, from open areas to organized conclaves and the Chaos Conclave before the Effigy burn.

All fire spinners must check in with the Fire Art Safety Team (FAST) for equipment review, safety confirmation, and approval to spin. Training will be available for all skill levels. Please review the official guidelines for safety protocols, fuel management, and best practices. Questions? Contact FAST at fast@sideburn.ca.

Sign Up

🎟️ Important Information About Ticketing

By now, you’ve likely registered for your ticket and are counting down to its release! Can’t find the email? Check your spam or search ticketing@sideburn.ca.

You may have spotted something new this year! We’re integrating text notifications so you’ll know the moment your ticket offer is ready. We’re still fine-tuning the feature, so please don’t rely on it just yet. In the meantime, keep an eye on your inbox and use the ticket portal to claim your ticket when the time comes.

Land Acknowledgement
We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.

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🎟️ Everything you need to know about ticketing 2026

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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.

Our general ticket sale is NOT first-come, first-served. We do this to make the system a bit more fair and accessible (for example, if you work when the tickets go on sale, you might miss out), and it also reduces strain on our ticketing system by spreading out our busy times.

Let’s get started.

✨ New this year!

RV Lottery Registration Update

This year, registration for the RV Lottery happens in the same place you register for the general sale lottery – on the main page of the ticketing portal. RV Lottery registration only appears after you complete your ticket purchase. The RV lottery functions similarly to the general sale lottery, and it takes place on April 6.

View Your Position in the Lottery

We’re excited to share that we are now able to display your position in both the general sale lottery and the RV pass lottery on the main page of the ticketing portal. No more wondering! No more writing to ticketing@sideburn.ca to find out where you are in line! Hooray! Just log in, and it will be the first thing you see.

Opt In for Text Alerts

This year, we’re trialling optional text notifications as an additional way to communicate about ticket offers across multiple channels, helping ensure participants don’t miss out.

💲 Costs

This year, tickets are:

  • $160 for adults
  • $80 for minors aged 13-17
  • Free for minors 12 and under

A small fee will be added to ticket costs for payment processing.

🎟️ Getting a Ticket

Step 1: Creating a Ticketing Account

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. 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, please write to ticketing@sideburn.ca, and we’ll help you out right away. A password reset can help if you’re locked out.

Step 2: Register for the General Sale

During our general sale registration period, March 10-14 inclusive, you can log in to the ticketing portal and you’ll see a button labelled “Register here”. Click that button to add yourself to the general sale tickets list. On March 15th, we’ll shuffle all the names on that list into a random order and send out ticket offers.

Step 3: Buying Your Ticket – 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 then be re-added at the end of the queue.

Please confirm that you have successfully purchased your ticket. Each completed purchase will:

If none of the above steps occur, your ticket purchase was unsuccessful. Please contact ticketing@sideburn.ca.

What happens if you don’t register by March 14th?

Don’t worry! If you log into the ticketing portal after the registration period, click the “Register Here” button and add yourself to the waitlist. You’ll be dropped into the queue behind everyone who registered during the registration period. There’s still a chance you’ll get a ticket as people cancel and more tickets are returned to the pool. You can join the waiting list until May 6; we’ll keep sending out offers until that evening.

💚 A Call for Community Support: Pay It Forward

Demand for low-cost tickets continues to grow this year, exceeding available supply. When purchasing your ticket, you can add a $25 Pay It Forward contribution (or more!) to help fund additional low-cost tickets if you choose. Every contribution goes directly toward making SideBurn more accessible.

We’d love to give an Equity Ticket to everyone who applies, and with your help, we can get closer to that goal.

🤝 Our Equity Program

Radical Inclusion is one of SideBurn’s core values. We invite all to participate and do our utmost to reduce barriers to engagement.

The Equity Program offers two streams to reduce participation barriers:

  • a 75% discount on a purchased ticket for those experiencing financial hardship
  • a guaranteed second ticket directed to a caregiver for participants requiring assistance with activities of daily living

You can apply to both streams if they apply to your situation. However, you must still participate in the lottery to receive your ticket. For any further information or accessibility requests, email equity@sideburn.ca.

Applications are open until May 1.

💸 Cancellations and Refunds

You can cancel your ticket until May 6 at 6pm. 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 in to the portal and selecting “Change my order” at the top.

🤔 Still have questions?

Lots more ticketing info is available on our ticketing page, including everything you need to know about vehicle passes, tickets for minors, RV passes, and more.

You can also reach out to us at ticketing@sideburn.ca to talk to a member of our team.

Land Acknowledgement
We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.

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Home/ Articles by: Suzan Hill

🔥 Get Involved at SideBurn 2026: Theme Camps, Grants, Equity Support, and more!

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🎪 Theme Camp Applications Now Open!

Are you ready to create a theme camp that adds creativity, energy, and immersive experiences to Sideburn? Applications are now open, and theme grants are here to help support your camp in building out your space and enhancing your contributions to the event.

Applications close February 6th, 2026.

Apply Now

🎨 Art Grant Opportunities for Creators

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:

Art grant applications close January 24th, 2026.

Apply Now

💚 SideBurn 2026 Equity Program: Making participation accessible for all

Need support to attend SideBurn this year? Our Equity Program offers two streams of support for ticketing and participation, and we’re now accepting applications!

  • Reduced cost: 75% discount for those facing financial hardship
  • Equity Assist: Guaranteed second ticket for a caregiver assisting with activities of daily living

For more information on equity ticketing and accessibility at SideBurn visit our website. Applications close May 1st, 2026.

Apply Now

📣 Call for Volunteers for SideBurn 2026

Be a maker of magic. These volunteer roles offer you the chance to contribute to SideBurn 2026, 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 2026 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.

Apply Now

🎟️ Looking Ahead to Ticketing

A special edition newsletter all about ticketing will land in your inbox in the first week of March, with key details to help you prepare for ticket sales, including the opening of General Sale ticket registration on March 6 and ticket purchasing on March 11, 2026.

Land Acknowledgement
We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.

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Home/ Articles by: Suzan Hill

✨ SideBurn 2026 Art Special: Everything you need to know about art grants, info sessions, theme camps, and more.

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🎨 Art Grants Open December 8! Don’t Miss the Info Session on December 13

Applications for all art grant categories (legacy, creators, fire art creators, and microgrants) will open on December 8th! You have until January 24th to submit your grant application.

We also invite all interested participants to an info session for art grants on December 13th, from 2 PM to 3 PM EST. Add to calendar.

Zoom link to join

🔥 Join ART and FAST for an Effigy & Temple Grant Workshop on December 9th

As the Effigy and Temple grant application process kicks off, we invite applicants to join ART and FAST for an online grant workshop on December 9th, from 7 PM to 8 PM EST on Zoom.

Zoom link to join

⏰ Reminder: Submit your Letter of Intent for Effigy and Temple Applications by December 21st

Are you thinking about building an Effigy or Temple? Our 2-stage application is designed to provide guidance, empower first-time builders to apply, and ensure high-quality, complete final applications. Successful projects will receive a $5,500 grant. Our online info session will take place on December 9th.

The first step is to submit your Letter of Intent by December 21st.

Submit Effigy LOI Submit Temple LOI

🎪 Get Ready: Theme Camp Applications and Grants Open Next Month!

Theme Camps, new and old, it’ll soon be time to act on your inspirations and see where they take you. Mark your calendars! Theme camp applications and grant submissions will be open from January 6th to February 6th, 2026.

To help you get ready, check out the Theme Camp Application Guide, which covers everything you need to know, including registration requirements and all the details needed for your theme camp application.

Read the Guide

Photo credit: Header image by Captured by Caro, used with permission.
Land Acknowledgement
We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.

News

Home/ Articles by: Suzan Hill

Exciting Updates for SideBurn 2026: New Theme, Effigy & Temple Applications

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🔥 Introducing SideBurn’s 2026 Theme: The Great Rewilding

The Great Rewilding calls us back to our roots, to the wild within and around us. A return to instinct, imagination, and play. It’s a celebration of nature’s chaos, human creativity, and our deep connection and respect for the earth that holds us.

Together we become forest spirits, glowing fungi, creatures of light and laughter, co-creating with the land rather than upon it. The Great Rewilding is a living reminder that the wilderness was never lost, only waiting for us to awaken.

🛠️ Effigy and Temple Applications: Ready to Bring Your Vision to Life?

Are you thinking about building an Effigy or Temple? We’ve implemented a 2-stage application process along with info/Q&A sessions. This approach is designed to provide guidance, empower first-time builders to apply, and ensure high-quality, complete final applications. Successful projects will receive a grant of $5,500.

The first step is to submit your Letter of Intent by December 21st, 2025.

Apply

Land Acknowledgement
We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.

News

Home/ Articles by: Suzan Hill

🔥 SideBurn 2026: Theme Submissions, Volunteer Roles & New Good Standing Policy

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🔥 2026 Theme Submissions Now Open

It’s never too early to start dreaming about our next burn! As the board prepares for 2026, we’re seeking your input on the event theme.

Theme submissions are open now and will close on October 21, so don’t wait to share your most creative concepts.

We’re especially looking for themes that:

  • Are visually inspiring and easy to bring to life
  • Encourage imagination, fun, and play
  • Reflect the 10 Principles of Burning Man
  • Let your creativity guide the next great burn. Submit your 2026 theme idea here!

Submit Theme

💪 Join the SideBurn Team: Key Volunteer Roles Open!

We’re looking for a few amazing volunteers to help make SideBurn 2026 happen. If you’re interested in event coordination, tech development, or contributing creatively, there’s a place for you on our team.

Some roles, especially those supporting ticketing and volunteer systems, are crucial to fill soon to ensure we stay on track.

Open Roles:

  • Flow Producer & Board Member
  • Art Assistant
  • Art Fundraiser Planner (Toronto area)
  • Backend Web Administrator (Ticketing Portal)
  • Programmer (Ticketing Portal)
  • Full Stack Developer (Volunteer Portal)
  • UX & Web Designer (Volunteer Portal)

    • If you’ve got the skills and want to help build something special for 2026, we’d love to hear from you!

    Learn More

    🌟 Introducing SideBurn Good Standing Policy

    SideBurn has a new Good Standing policy to support a positive and accountable community. All participants, artists, and theme camps start in good standing, which ensures eligibility for tickets, placement, grants, and volunteer roles. However, good standing can be lost for disruptive behaviour or ignoring community guidelines. Learn more about the policy and how it supports our community values of growth, accountability, and respect.

    Learn More

    Land Acknowledgement
    We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.

    News

    Home/ Articles by: Suzan Hill

    🗳️ Vote for SideBurn 2026 Themes!

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    🗳️ Cast Your Vote: SideBurn 2026 Theme Submissions Are In!

    What an amazing year for creativity! The FlameOn Board is excited to present the 2026 SideBurn theme submissions, and there’s no shortage of incredible ideas. Now it’s your turn to help shape the magic of SideBurn.

    Take a moment to review the themes submitted by our community and vote for up to five that capture the spirit you want to see at next year’s event.

    Voting closes at midnight on November 5th, so don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard!

    Vote Now

    Land Acknowledgement
    We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.

    News

    Home/ Articles by: Suzan Hill

    🎶 Sounds of SideBurn 2025

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    We’ve gathered a small collection of DJ sets shared by SideBurners and camps in our Facebook group. It’s not a full archive, just a glimpse into some of the sounds that shaped this year’s burn.

    DJ/Set Link
    Highland Ponies | Bubbles ‘n’ Bums ‘n’ Bass Live Set @ Cirque du Soul – Sideburn 2025 Listen
    MoS | Indie Disco – Sideburn 2025 – Friday night @ Prismatic Reverie Listen
    Early Bird Listen
    Bad Bird Listen
    GonzoMD Listen
    GonzoMD | Creation matrix (Sideburn ’25) Listen
    DJ Tite’n’Brite Listen
    RE:SETER | DARK DISCO MATTER Listen
    Marèva Listen
    Used DJ | Live @ the Pineapple Republic Sideburn 2025 Listen
    Used DJ | Live @ Smoke Signals Sideburn 2025 Listen
    Used DJ | The Trance Set That Never Was Sideburn 2025 Listen
    Ruzter | Sideburn Festival – Set 1 of 4 – Deep House to Tech House Listen
    DrJ DJ Listen
    JAMAHA | Dance House Mix – Uplifting Grooves Listen
    Ephemera Listen
    WIz | Sessions #2 ( Baby Fight Club Fundraiser pre mix ) Listen
    Doctor Pepper Listen
    Doctor Pepper | Doctor Pepper @ Sideburn Festival – Cirque du Soul – May 2025 Listen
    chrisbrunomusic | Sideburn 2025: Silent Disco Afterhours Mix (4-Hour Set) Listen
    NOXXE | 2025-05-16 Nox @ Sideburn: Smoke Signals Stage Listen
    NOXXE | 2025-05-16 Nox @ Sideburn: PGI Stage Listen
    Mikey The Kid | Sideburn 2025 Smoke Signals DNB Listen
    Photo credit: Header image by Derek Samaha, used with permission.
    Land Acknowledgement
    We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.

    News

    Home/ Articles by: Suzan Hill

    🚨 Drone Notification – Saturday Morning (9AM–10AM)

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    Heads-up, SideBurn community! This Saturday morning between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, a drone will be in the air briefly over the event grounds.

    📡 Why the Drone?

    The SideBurn Board will be conducting a high-level visual survey of the land to help us evaluate the space for future improvements and better long-term event planning. This is a one-time, non-promotional flight.

    🔒 Your Privacy Matters

    We’re committed to respecting the privacy of all attendees. The flight has been scheduled early in the day to minimize any disruption and will be focused solely on land assessment—not on filming people or activities.

    🚫 Reminder: No-Drone Policy for Attendees

    SideBurn maintains a strict no-drone policy for all participants. This brief exception is being made for planning purposes only, with Board oversight.

    If you see the drone Saturday morning, now you know why! Thanks for your understanding and support in helping make SideBurn better every year. ❤️🔥

    Photo credit: Header image by Captured by Caro, used with permission.
    Land Acknowledgement
    We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.

    News

    Home/ Articles by: Suzan Hill

    🧠💖 Support and Resources at SideBurn

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    SideBurn can be intense—in the best and sometimes most challenging ways. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, need a reset, or just want to scream into the void (literally), here are some ways to take care of yourself and others this year:

    🔊 Screaming Club @ Center Camp – Sunday, 2:30 PM

    Need to let it all out? Join fellow screamers for a cathartic blast of energy at Center Camp.

    “A club where we scream. A short sharp shriek to get out whatever needs getting out. A little waking up the breath and body, 1 minute of screaming, then cool down and get on with your day. Come as you are. Leave lighter.”

    📘 Emotional Survival Guide

    The SideBurn Board has put together a helpful guide for navigating the emotional ups and downs of the burn. 👉 Read it here

    💆‍♀️ Self-Care Camps

    Explore camps focused on self-care by using the Self-care filter on DUST. Highly recommended: Camp Care

    🕊️ Sanctuary

    If you’re in real distress or need a safe, quiet space to recover, Sanctuary is here for you.
    Located in a calm, out-of-the-way spot, it offers cots, blankets, pillows, and soft lighting—plus support from trained volunteers. 👉 More info here

    Be kind to yourself. Be there for each other. SideBurn isn’t just a party—it’s a community. ❤️‍🔥

    Photo credit: Header image by Captured by Caro, used with permission.
    Land Acknowledgement
    We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.