For the third year in a row, Looners Camp lifted spirits (and bodies) high above the playa with their signature hot air balloon at Burning Man. Their 2025 edition once again delivered a week of magic, music, and mayhem, featuring standout DJ sets from Rebolledo, Goldcap, and Heimlich Knüller, paired with dazzling circus performances that turned heads across Black Rock City.
Photo credits: Adrian the photographer
A View Like No Other
Perched at the corner of 2 & H with neighbors Playalchemist and Mayan Warrior, Looners Camp’s hot air balloon provided one of the most breathtaking perspectives on the playa. Floating above the glowing pyramid and art car laser shows, it offered a surreal panorama of the desert’s nighttime dreamscape.
A Stormy Start
This year’s burn wasn’t for the faint of heart. Many veterans called 2025 one of the toughest years yet, perhaps even more challenging than the infamous “Mud Burn” of 2023. During the build days, Black Rock City was battered by some of the fiercest storms in over a decade, with wind gusts clocking in at 52 mph. Tents tore, structures collapsed, and countless camps had to rebuild—sometimes multiple times—before the skies finally calmed midweek.
Resilience and Rising Spirits
Through it all, the Looners crew refused to let the storm dampen their spirit. The camp rallied together to rebuild, reset, and reignite their magic. By Wednesday, the balloon was back in the air, and Rebolledo kicked off the night with an electrifying set that had burners dancing under the stars. As dawn broke, Goldcap’s sunrise session carried the crowd into a new day, while aerialists and fire performers spun through the air to amaze the waiting crowds.
Moments of Magic
As the week went on, violinist Matorin captivated the camp with an ethereal live performance, blending strings and beats in a 360-degree sound journey. The energy then flowed into the Circus Lounge, where Looners’ resident DJs kept the dance floor alive all day long.
Adding to the week’s highlights, Looners Camp hosted their first-ever art car link-up with the majestic blue Christina ship sailing into the perimeter, with Heimlich Knüller taking control of the decks with his soulful downtempo beats. The closing night brought yet more wonder as Christina returned after the temple burn linking up to a Viking Airstreamer, for a finale soundtracked by Yaku Means Water and ARES, while circus performers delivered a mesmerizing evening show of balloon wonder, aerial spins and fire magic.
Looking Ahead
The week after the Burn, Looners Camp teamed up with the 200-year-old Italian Zoppé Circus for a fundraiser event in the Lake Tahoe area, with beats by Holmar, the first of their many post-Burn decompression events to come.
With their rainbow-painted balloon now an icon of the playa skyline, one thing is certain: Looners Camp isn’t slowing down anytime soon. In fact, they’re aiming higher than ever. As the camp evolves into Lunars Camp for 2026, they’re setting their sights beyond the sky… and straight for the moon…
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