The Burning Man Orgy Dome: What Happened When Wind Ruined the Party?

Can you imagine heading to an orgy in the middle of the Nevada desert, only to find out your party space has literally blown away? Welcome to the chaotic reality of the Burning Man festival's infamous Orgy Dome, where this year Mother Nature decided to join in on the fun – and not in a good way.
The Orgy Dome, a 22-year-old tradition at Burning Man, is where participants can engage in intimate, consensual encounters in a space designed to celebrate sexuality. Described as a roughly hemispherical tent, the dome has attracted thousands over the years, becoming a popular hotspot for those looking to explore their wild sides amidst the festival's vibrant atmosphere.
So, what’s it really like inside? According to the dome’s website, it’s a “sex-positive, consensual space for couples and moresomes to play.” Picture this: a room full of mattresses, air-conditioning to keep things comfortable, and plenty of consenting participants. Last year alone, around 5,000 people wandered through the space, trying to find their groove in this unique desert playground.
However, it’s not all fun in the sun. To maintain any sort of erotic energy, participants often face long queues, fill out consent forms, and douse themselves in hand sanitizer. And if you’re planning on making that desolate trek, a pair of gloves is recommended, as the relentless desert sands can get, well, everywhere. Sounds like a thrilling adventure, right? Or maybe just a logistical nightmare.
But this year, the festival took an unexpected turn when the Orgy Dome literally blew away just as the festivities were about to kick off. “Our build team worked so hard this past week to erect our lovely space,” the team lamented on Instagram, only to follow up with the unfortunate news that the winds had wreaked havoc on their labor of love.
As if that wasn’t enough drama, dust storms swept through the Burning Man site, causing chaos and destruction, demolishing numerous camps and installations, and even injuring at least four people. It’s hard not to reminisce about festival disasters of the past, like the infamous Fyre Festival, which ended in such calamity that it churned out documentaries and left one organizer facing six years in prison. Or those Glastonbury years where the mud became the uninvited guest.
Amidst this stormy backdrop, one might wonder if there’s any hope of resurrecting the dome for this year’s festival. Unfortunately, the likelihood is slim, though the organizers are hoping to salvage the situation by hosting workshops instead. But let’s be real: a workshop is not an orgy, no matter how you spin it.
In a lighthearted ending note, the Orgy Dome team has extended a warm welcome to love in all its forms this year – just not within the walls of their blown-away sanctuary. And as they say, if you happen to spot a tornado made of condoms, maybe just text them.