BURNING MAN
Burning Man in pop culture: Mentions in TV, songs and more
Carly SauvageauReno Gazette Journal
July 8, 2026, 5:27 p.m. PT
Burning Man has been referenced throughout popular culture media for nearly three decades now. From the first “Google doodle” in 1998 to country music lyrics and a plethora of sitcom mentions, there is no shortage of references to the Labor Day weekend event
Here’s a look at just a few of the Burning Man references in pop culture
Did we miss some? Email Carly at csauvageau@rgj.com and we’ll add to the list
Google’s doodle: Larry and Sergey are not in right now
The very first “Google doodle” — the search engine logo transformed into a unique piece of art — was a rendition of the Burning Man logo in 1998. The Google doodle was created when founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin wanted to let Google users know that they were off to Burning Man
Kenny Chesney’s song “Wild Child”
Country singer Kenny Chesney gave a tip of his cowboy hat to Burning Man in “Wild Child” from his album “The Big Revival,” released in 2014
The lyrics include: “You’ve never heard of her favorite band unless you / Been to Bonnaroo or Burning Man / She’s Penny Lane in a Chevy van …”
Dierks Bentley’s “Burning Man”
Chesney isn’t the only country singer to find inspiration from Burning Man. Dierks Bentley in his song with Brothers Osborne has an entire song dedicated to the event. “Burning Man” was released in 2018 on Bentley’s album “The Mountain.”
The song mentions Burning Man in the chorus: “II’m a little bit holy water but still a little bit burning man / Burning man / Still just a burn, burn, burning man / Just a burning man”
And while the song isn’t explicitly about the arts gathering, parts of the video definitely were shot on a dry desert playa that looks a lot like the Black Rock
The Simpsons get “Blazed and Confused”
The Simpsons go to Burning Man during Season 26, Episode 7, which first aired on Nov. 16, 2014. The family goes despite Homer Simpson’s initial reluctance. A shaman-like figure forces Homer to have an epiphany, and, boy, does he
Homer: “My family wants to pay $300 a ticket for a festival with no vendors or services.”
Shaman: “Drink this playa punch.”
Another cartoon family goes to Burning Man
During Season 1, Episode 4 of “American Dad,” Jeff bring Francine to Burning Man to get Hayley’s attention since she refused to go with Jeff. The episode first aired on May 15, 2005
Jeff: “It’s all about life, love and the power of community.”
Hayley: “No, it’s all about a bunch of naked morons drinking and doing lots of drugs. What are we? 12?”
Burning Man is referenced again during Season 12, Episode 13 of “American Dad” when Roger organizes a Burning Man in the Smith’s backyard for Hayley and Jeff’s anniversary. The episode first aired on June 5, 2017
Reno 911 goes undercover at Burning Man
The “Reno” police force goes undercover at Burning Man during Season 1, Episode 10, which first aired on Sept. 24, 2003. Lt. Jim Dangle, Deputy Sgt. Class II Sven Jones and Deputy Travis Junior are on the lookout for trouble in this episode while at Burning Man. They go undercover by putting on some very … interesting … undercover outfits
Acura commercial: Burners fail to impress fancy car owners
In a commercial released February 2015 for the 2016 Acura MDX, several friends drive into a mini Burning Man-like festival in the middle of the desert and decide that the festival is not for them. They turn around and head to the spa for massages instead, driven by the motto of “Room to improvise.”
Clifford the Big Red Dog introduces Burning Man to younger audience
The live-action “Clifford the Big Red Dog” movie, released in 2021, telling the story of lonely middle schooler Emily Elizabeth and Clifford, the red dog she befriends that grows to a giant size overnight, sending her and her eccentric uncle Casey on a journey around New York City in an attempt to protect Clifford from an evil genetics corporation
The Burning Man reference comes from Casey:
“This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been to Burning Man.”
“Malcolm in the Middle” heads to Burning Man
What starts as an elaborate plan by brothers Malcolm and Reese to go to Burning Man during Season 7, Episode 1 of the original sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle” ends with the entire family going to the desert event. There they encounter a Burner named Nate
Nate: “Burning Man’s all about freedom, Dude. You can do whatever you want here.”
Reese: “Whatever I want! You mean, I could kick this over, or break that?”
Nate: “Well, I guess if you really felt you had to.”
Reese: “Doesn’t that kind of take the fun out of mindless destruction?”
Nate: “That’s what the flaming catapult’s for!”
