A regional Burn like Where the Sheep Sleep is not your run-of-the-mill art or music event. Based on the 10 principles of Burning Man, there are a couple of essential differences, which make a Burn such an amazing experience! READ ON for the most important facts and need to knows about the Dutch Burn!
Survival guide 2025
- Carry a MOOP bag. Wherever you go, carry a small bag to collect any MOOP you generate or find. You can, of course, customize your MOOP bag to make it a part of your playa wear.
- Weigh items down/don’t let them blow away: put a weight on or tie down anything that can blow away.
- If you’re a smoker, carry a portable ashtray such as a tin (mint) can with you at all times. Or put butts in your pocket. Never, ever drop butts on the ground.
- Ask permission before using a camp recycle station if you are not camping with them. Some camps will only be able to deal with their own campers’ rubbish. Separate recycling into glass, plastic & aluminum and cardboard/paper.
- Do not let bins overflow to avoid MOOP getting out of hand.
- NEVER burn rubbish! Take it to the waste disposal site once you leave the event terrain.
No. Part of “Leave No Trace” means keeping all your trash with you and not expecting someone else to dispose of it for you. There will be no trash bins or recycling bins on site. So, bring garbage bags and/or cardboard boxes to collect your (camp) trash.
No, please bring the safety garments you will require – safety shoes and a reflective vest. If you have spares, please bring them along for your fellow Build teammates.
Yes — sort of! 🚿 There will be some showers available on the event site, thanks to a cool collaboration between a few DreamCamps and the central organization.
But not everyone can rely on them, so:
- Bring your own shower setup if you can.
- Or team up with friends and gift a shared shower to the playa (human carwash, anyone? 🧼🚿).
- And always, always use biodegradable soap and shampoo — it’s the only way we can Leave No Trace and keep the land happy.
Yes, there are several locations on the terrain. Very important: only human waste and toilet paper can be flushed down the loo. Everything else must be placed in the bin next to the toilet. Remember to bring your own toilet paper.
No, please bring the tools you think you might need or ask the community in advance to borrow.
Actually, no. Associations struggle with the issue of people lathering up and jumping in the lake. While many of these offenders try to minimize the environmental impact by using biodegradable soap, water quality degradation can still result.
Even if soap is biodegradable, it is not safe to put that soap directly into the water. All soap, whether biodegradable or not, affects lake chemistry in a detrimental fashion. It can also have a negative impact on fish and other aquatic organisms.
Everybody arriving after build ends (Thursday) please bring a good faithful bolderkar (trolly) as it is quite a little walk with all your gear.
Please keep driving on the pastures to a minimum so as not to damage the grass. If heavy rain sets in, driving on the field is not allowed. Water first needs to drain off to prevent a mudfest (and vehicles stuck in the middle). (remember 2022?)
Like most soap, most toothpaste is harmful to nature. Pick a biodegradable toothpaste without any fluorides.
Plastic bags work great to collect during brushing and they smell nice in your tent:
When you sign up for Build, with your camp or not, you’re expected to work and it’s not an excuse to start the party early. We don’t mean build isn’t fun, it’s awesome – it’s most fantastic to see this event coming to life. The goal of Build is to get the essential structures secured before the event starts.
Strike happens right when the event ends, it’s what we call the clean up and tear down. Strike days are fun and are always shorter than Build. Breaking structures down, packing everything away and cleaning up can feel very satisfying after a long weekend of burning. Sign up for a shift herehttps://signup.com/go/QyWNfDm .
In order to create a safe space for participants to discover their own boundaries, the use of smartphones to capture photos and videos is discouraged (stay present!). If you want to take a picture, make sure everyone in frame is in agreement. As a ticket buyer you also agree with our Use of Images.
NOTE: DSLR’s, professional gear and lenses are not allowed without an EXPLICIT invitation and agreement from Burning Man Netherlands. If you want to take pictures please contact comms at comms@burningman.nl
This year they can! There is still a designated RV Parking area but in 2025 RV’s, caravans, tents and hammocks can all camp together at their Dreamcamps’ spot. As long as they are drawn in the floorplan of that Dreamcamp.
Cars – or anything with an engine and wheels, that is – aren’t allowed on the Dutch playa. You need a parking ticket and leave them in the designated parking area before the gate. Unless you have approval of your vehicle as an art car (Then it is necessary to request approval through the art -form).
If you want to bring an art-car, please fill out this form and take note:
Drivers must be sober at all times.
Speed limit is 15km/h during daytime and walkingpage during the night.
Always yield to pedestrians, bicycles, and emergency vehicles.
XL vehicles must have spotters!
read all the guidelines here and apply here
More info about the art car check-in location and times will follow. Let’s get creative and surprise us with your moving art!
Yes you can! Make sure your camp still looks pretty and welcoming , also for non-camp members to enjoy the magic that you are bringing. Some placements have limited spots for RV’s which makes camping together more difficult.It is also always an option to place your campmates/tents/rv’s in the free camping area(s).
We love camp fires. If you want to use a fire bowl or barrel, it needs to be elevated off the ground and the grass needs to be protected. This is only suitable for DreamCamps, art pieces, or centrally-organized campfire sites. It would be unsafe to have an open fire in free camping.
Yes! We love moving art at The Sheep! 🚗✨ But there are a few important rules:
What counts: Any modified moving vehicle (not regular bicycles, those dont need a permit)
Check-in: On Thursday June 19, your art car must pass a safety check to get a permit (day-only or day+night).
- Requirements:
-
- Proper lights if driving at night.
- Strong railings, safe stairs, no sharp or loose parts.
- Solid brakes, no fireworks, flames only straight up (with approval).
Big art cars need sober spotters.
- Driving rules:
- Walking speed only.
- Only listed drivers
- No driving under the influence.
- Always give way and stop when needed.
Read all the regulations and apply here
Yes, you can! Electric bikes are not needed since our terrain is not that big. But be aware that the terrain is uneven and you MUST light up your bike and watch out for people. Please do not ride your bike in crowded areas. We encourage any enthusiast decoration or redesigned models.
Yes, you can! However, please follow the safety rules, weather permitting. We will provide safe places to fire spin!
No, you can not. With the number of participants, we will have too much waste for nature to take care of.
Everything must go in your car when you leave. Pack it out, pack it in.
Reducing your trash, sorting out the recyclables, keeping bags under control: these are all pretty simple tasks if you think about it. I guarantee it will make for a better camping experience, and help lighten our group footprint in the process. More info and tips on:
https://burningman.org/event/preparation/leaving-no-trace/
We encourage you to embrace the Principle of Radical Self-Reliance and bring everything you need so that you do not need to leave. However, if you need to leave and return, please be sure to keep your wristband on.
Yes, you can, as long as you keep the sound restrictions in mind. You can also plan your workshop in center camp and/or add your workshops to the info board or in the What Where When Guide at the Info Hub, or make your own announcements!
Yes, you can, as long as you keep the sound restrictions (see Sound section) and the 10 Principles in mind and be kind to your neighbors :-). Register your workshop through the workshop form or make your own announcements!
Register your workshop to be featured in the What-Where-When Guide:
The What-Where-When Guide will be printed and distributed at the event, so it’s the best way to get the word out there. https://forms.gle/hvJeviJRwrcuLBJ77
If you don’t have an exact location yet, check the list of DreamCamps on sheep.burningman.nl/dreamcamps to see if you find a matching camp that can offer you a space; if there are no contact details contact dreamcamps@burningman.nl.
For questions about using Center Camp or the Heart Theater as the location for your workshop, email performance@burningman.nl
Where the sheep sleep is a relatively small burn with limited funds, so we only have the possibility to grant limited funds for (all kinds of) art – not for camps. Most info about bringing art to The Sheep should be on this page http://sheep.burningman.nl/get-involved/art/
If you still have questions about funds for art (theme camps cannot be funded), please contact our art lead through art@burningman.nl!
It is possible to sell your ticket(s) (All-You-Can-Sheep, kids, , RV & parking) at face value to someone else if you are not able to attend after all. Alternatively, consider gifting your ticket to someone. A good way to transfer is by using Ticketswap (www.ticketswap.nl). We will be removing individual Ticketswap links on the event page to keep all the exciting information easy to find.
If you have an aided ticket, please email: lowincome@burningman.nl
No, there are areas specially reserved for DreamCamps and so-called free campers. Please only set up your tent in the marked areas. We need to keep paths, roads and exits clear for emergencies.
The sheep location is right next to a big public lake, however we advise that you do NOT swim in it due to the entrance being outside of our terrain and other events happening nearby at the same time. Within our terrain you find two smaller ponds where you CAN swim. All swimming is done at your own risk!
We discourage wearing glitter since it is considered MOOP (Matter Out Of Place). For both nature and people, it’s hard to tell the difference between eco glitter and regular glitter. Glitter never sticks to your face without losing some wherever you go and so it always ends up where it doesn’t belong.
Parking is only allowed in the designated parking area. Your car must be parked in the designated parking area and will not be allowed into the event terrain.
DreamCamps are known for creating magic together, and we understand you’ll need deliveries to build your dream experience. However, please be aware:
From Sunday, June 22nd to Thursday, June 26th, traffic in the Randstad region (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Schiphol) will be heavily disrupted. This is due to two major events happening simultaneously:
- NAVO Summit in The Hague (June 24–25)
- Amsterdam’s 250th Anniversary Celebrations
No, you don’t have to! But a lot of people join together in DreamCamps. You’re welcome to join an existing camp (check out the DreamCamp page to see which camps are still open for members) or set up a new DreamCamp with your friends or new friend
Yes, everyone needs a ticket! This is a volunteer event and every attendee, including volunteers, has paid for a ticket.
Yes, please bring your own cup, bowl and cutlery! We discourage single-use paper and plastic.
Yes, you need to clean, clear, and MOOP (Matter Out Of Place) sweep your camp or campsite. Monday is striking time for camps, by the end of the day all participants need to leave only footprints! On Tuesday final MOOP sweep and clean up will happen. Join the Strike team to ensure we’re Leaving No Trace on our lush green terrain, sign up for a shift here: https://signup.com/go/QyWNfDm .
No, the name on your ticket does not need to match the name on your ID.
Dogs (and all other animals): love ’em and leave ’em at home. Due to the numerous issues surrounding dogs at events, the organization and the owner of the land have decided not to allow dogs or any animals or pets at the event. This decision was made with the utmost concern for the health and well-being of both animals and participants. As fellow participants and animal lovers, we thank you for understanding and implementing this policy. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Darkwad??? Anyone who walks or rides at night without adequate lighting on the front and back of his/her person. We have chosen a remote location and it can get pretty dark at night. So please bring lights, not only to decorate your camp , but also to light yourself UP!
It is illegal by law to carry or trade illegal substances, such as drugs or other mind-enhancing substances. Police and the organization will have the right to check-in luggage, cars, RVs and campervans. Heavy medication, food and fluids necessary for the treatment of allergies or other diseases can only be brought in with a valid medical certificate.
Unless there is direct danger to people or assets (think of fire, someone getting into contact with electricity, etc) do NOT connect, disconnect or change anything to the central grid.
The grid is protected against overloading and groundfaults and if an interruptor switches off there is a reason for that. Ask the Power Rangers for help if you run into problems.
Within camps you are responsible for your own grid, you can only connect to the central grid with the agreed number of plugs. Prepare for rain (it is The Netherlands!) and make sure that plugs and distributors stay dry.
The campsites need to be vacated and completely clean following the Leaving No Trace principle, Monday, June 23 by 12:00pm (noon) at the latest. Exodus is expected to be busy, so plan accordingly. It is best to begin packing in the early morning or the night before to ensure that you are completely done by 12:00. Sleepyheads will be woken by the organization! But remember we are not your mother so be radically self-reliant! Cars will not be allowed on the terrain (with the exception of caravan/trailer tent pickups, and 1 car per dreamcamp at the same time); the Kiss n Ride or parking area is the place to load your car. There will be a luggage transit riding to help out carrying your stuff!
After you packed what’s yours help out with strike! It is much needed and rewarding, to be part of the magic that made this amazing memorable event happen. If you want to stay for strike (clean-up) Tuesday 24 June please https://signup.com/go/QyWNfD
DreamCamps: your strike must be complete on Monday as well. If you’d like to extend your burn and stay longer on-site (after Monday 12:00), please https://signup.com/go/QyWNfDm to help teardown on Monday afternoon/evening and Tuesday morning. This means you’ll help your DreamCamp build down as well as the rest of the event, wherever help is needed most.
We love responsible fire. If you have a fire pit or a small burn planned please tell us; you will receive a fire stone on the floor if we have them available. Please raise fire pits and BBQs from the ground to prevent burn scars. Remember a fire(pit) should always be guarded. Bring a fire extinguisher and have a filled bucket of water in camp at all times.
The Rangers are volunteers dedicated to the safety of the participants of Where the Sheep Sleep. The Rangers are a broad cross-section of the Burning Man Netherlands community who volunteer some of their time in the role of non-confrontational community mediators. They are empowered by the community and Burning Man Netherlands to address safety concerns, mediate disputes, and resolve conflicts when they cannot be resolved by the persons involved. Rangers encourage a community of shared responsibility. Even though these Rangers are not the police, they are to be respected (and hugged, and fluffed when appropriate). Serious matters will be resolved by our on-site professional security team. Directions and requests are to be followed and respected.
Prior to arrival at Where the Sheep Sleep, remove all surplus packaging to minimize waste. Opt for reusable plates and cutlery rather than disposables. Reuse non-recyclable/non-reusable food packaging to collect your waste. Use a single large water jug instead of smaller bottles. Prep your food at home. Pack your food in reusable jars/containers.
Tell us about your delivery! If you expect something to be delivered to the site (big or small), you must inform us beforehand through the early entry form & supplier form. This way, we know when and what to expect.
- Delivery times
- Deliveries can only happen during build days (from Tuesday, June 17, 11:00) and must be finished before the event opens to participants (Thursday, June 19, 12:00). No random deliveries during the event itself, please.
- Delivery location
- Deliveries arrive at the main gate. A volunteer will be there to check them in and guide them to a drop-off point or help direct them to your camp if allowed.
- Vehicles on site
- Delivery vehicles can drive in only if absolutely necessary — and must drive out as soon as they’re done unloading. No parking delivery trucks at your camp! (Unless it’s an approved art car… and even then, you’ll need special permission.)
- During strike, only one vehicle per DreamCamp is allowed on site after 12 pm.
- Be ready to unload fast
- Have people from your DreamCamp ready to help unload. The faster you unload, the better we keep the flow at the gate.
- Check your delivery
- Check immediately if everything you ordered arrived safely. Once the delivery person leaves, we can’t chase them for missing items!
- Delays? Problems?
- If your delivery is stuck or super delayed because of traffic (because, well… Randstad madness 🚦), please contact the build team onsite. We’ll do our best to help!
During the event, there is a lot to do! Volunteers can greet people at the entrance gate, help at infohub, scan tickets, set up and tear down, clean up, and much more… the list is endless. The volunteer sign-up can be found here: https://signup.com/go/sheep.burningman.nl.
Are you creative? Then consider registering to put on a show, concert, or performance! Love teaching your talents to the world or interested in sparking dialogue? Consider running a workshop! Budding fashionista? Bring your most fabulous and outrageous outfits (or create them!) Come and visit the Info Hub during the event to see how you can help! Or if you already have an idea, sign up now
Where the Sheep Sleep is entirely volunteer-organized and run. We always need more help! Skills are less important than a can-do attitude and the willingness to work hard. You could come before the event starts and help set up, or stay after the event and help clear up. There’s also the valuable task of ‘fluffing’ – walking around with water, sunscreen, and snacks to look after people working outside. There are so many ways you can participate! An overview can be found here.
Do you have a spark of brilliance to share with our vibrant community? Whether you’re a painter, DJ, fire dancer, workshop wizard, or just wildly inspired, we want to hear from you!
Fill out the form that fits your magic, and help shape the creative heartbeat of our lush Dutch playa:
- Workshops Inspire, teach, connect—lead a session that lights up minds and hearts: Workshop Form
- Live Music Singers, instrumentalists, sound shamans—take the stage and stir our souls: Live Music Form
- Performances Dancers, actors, fire breathers, burlesque beauties—this stage is yours: Performance Form
- Art & Installations Got a piece that deserves the spotlight? Share your vision with us so we can find the perfect place to showcase it in our dreamy desertscape: Art Submission Form
- DreamCamp Bring your camp to life and co-create your temporary paradise: DreamCamp Form
- DJ Sets Let your beats move the grass and our bodies—share your sound: DJ Form
- VJ / Visual Art Turn up the visuals and dazzle the night—make us all in awe: VJ Form
There will be limited power (enough to run your fridge not to turn on all your lights ans sound system) available until the start of the event on Thursday and after the event officially closes down on Monday at noon.
- Free tent campers: There is no power option available. Please bring enough batteries or solar panels!
- RV/campervan: Yes, but you must bring your own extension cords to connect your vehicle to the power. The amount of power is limited, so please be conscious of power use. There are no ‘camping’ outlets so bring normal plugs..
Registered DreamCamps can also ask for power upon registration of their camp.
For the RV/campervans:
- Every edition of Where the Sheep Sleep we carefully calculate the power needs during the event and what providing all that power will cost.
- The power grid for the camper terrain is now scaled to provide 300W per camper. This is sufficient for a (normal camper size) fridge, LED lights, and charging your phone. It’s NOT sufficient for air conditioning, sound systems, hair dryers, medium/large appliances, Nespresso machines, etc.
- Connections will be provided on schuko connectors (normal Dutch power outlets). Please bring your own grounded(!!!!!!) power cable to connect to the grid.
- If your camper is staying in a DreamCamp it should be connected to the camp’s grid, not to the central grid.
Yes and it is drinkable. There will be taps located on various locations on site. Please bring jerry cans to bring the water to your camp or tent.
As an official Burning Man event we are based on the same 10 Principles, but there are plenty of differences too. Where the Sheep Sleep is smaller, with around 1,600 participants (though growing every year) compared with 80,000+ at Burning Man. Located in The Netherlands, the majority of participants (although by no means all) are based in Europe, creating its own cultural atmosphere. Of course, there is a certain degree of crossover in attendees, and many who enjoy one also enjoy the other. Burning Man Netherlands is affiliated with Burning Man in the US, but our events are unique.
Wrong! It can get very cold at night, but it can also get very hot during the day, with occasional rain and resulting mud. The terrain is next to a polder and we know the Netherlands can get stormy sometimes… Be prepared, that’s all we can say!
Burning Man Netherlands has five main event teams:
- Events
- Site & Tech
- Safety & Hospitality
- Community
- Arts & Programming.
Each team has several roles that require both Leads, Co-leads, and General Participants. These roles are fundamental to the production of our events. They are a fabulous way to get to know our community and can help you hone or learn new skills. These roles require a variety of pre-event and on-site contributions, depending on your availability. Find more information about lead & co-lead positions here: https://sheep.burningman.nl/get-involved
Leaving no trace means just that – leaving no trace that you were ever there. Far from what you might be used to at some festivals, every last beer can and sequin must be disposed of after the event. You are PERSONALLY responsible for every single thing you take to site – all your rubbish must be taken away with you. Pack it out, pack it in. Leaving no trace doesn’t just mean picking up the odd bit of rubbish though. Once the event finishes, we have to take down all the structures, pack up all the building materials, store it all, and then clear the site of any stray MOOP (matter out of place).
Critically, Leaving No Trace also includes chemicals found in soaps, solvents, and beauty products. PLEASE BRING ECO-FRIENDLY BIODEGRADABLE OUTDOOR SOAP (not just “organic” it must be certified as compatible for camping/nature use). As a reminder, bathing is NOT ALLOWED in the water. Even biodegradable soaps need soil to decompose and cannot be used in open water such as rivers or lakes.
For RV and campervan attendees, it is important to bring something to place underneath the vehicle to catch oil and other fluid leaks. Every drop of oil pollutes 3 square meters of terrain, so it is important we don’t let this happen!
In this context, we’re referring mainly to building materials, and to a lesser extent, anything else that’s not food (costuming, accessories, gifts). What you’ll use to build your shade structure, your camp’s dance or chill space, your art, or your mutant vehicle does have an ecological impact, even if it doesn’t immediately become trash post-event. The greenest among us may trot blithely to a big box hardware giant to pick up a pallet of the most eco-unfriendly virgin-forest lumber because it’s what’s on sale. Why not rethink that? There are options that are not only more responsible, but cheaper too!
What did you lose, darling? Your mind? Your soul? Your way? During the event, anything of value will be collected at the Info Hub (like jewelry, keys, wallets, and mobile phones). Items which aren’t picked up by the end of the event are photographed and stored so they can be reunited with their owners via the Facebook and Instagram pages of burningmanNL.
Every oil drop on the ground pollutes 1m2, therefore everything with an engine needs a retainer / piece of wood/oil blanket under it! Please do so, take care of our environment. And also, it’s mandatory, rangers will check.
Leave No Trace is arguably Burning Man’s most important Principle. If we don’t uphold that one, no more Sheep. But Leaving No Trace is not just about the playa; it’s our ethic about the whole planet. Burners are environmentalists. It’s just our nature.
Our community respects the environment. We are committed to leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather. We clean up after ourselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave such places in a better state than when we found them.
It is essential you print your parking ticket! Place it on your car’s dashboard so it’s visible. Every car requires a parking ticket! A kiss & ride is provided at the entrance. You can unload your stuff, park your car asap at the designated area and then it’s time to enter the magic meadows!
Parking is only allowed in the designated parking area on the terrain. Parking outside this area is not allowed because of safety and permit regulations, so please work with us. Look for signs/volunteers to park accordingly. Cars or other vehicles that are parked outside this terrain can and will be removed by the local authorities and all accompanying costs will be billed to the registered owner.
The parking lot opens on Thursday at 01:00 pm. From there it’s about 200m walking distance to the gate.
RV’s are welcomed at the gate, please make sure you have your ticket ready. Volunteers will guide you to the designated RV area’s. The space for RV’s is limited, so please try to park efficiently and cuddle up with your neighbours. We understand that making a camp in front of your RV is ‘gezellig’, but be aware of the limited space.
Rv’z pay for power included in their RV ticket. Dream Camps however use a lot of power. The luxury here is that we work out the network and supply it and you don’t need to rent noisy generators (they are not allowed on the event site anyway). But we do have to charge a fee for that. The event is always juggling a bit with the power requests. Please specify your needs as well as you can in the special power form for camps!
This is a private event, specifically designed for the burner community and friends of those within the community. The burner community is defined as those who attend other events that follow the 10 principles. Press, media and (semi) professional with professional gear are ONLY allowed at the event after signing the Media Agreement by Burning Man Netherlands. Based on their proposal a select group will be invited. Any other media creators who haven’t signed or aren’t invited by BMNL will be asked to delete all media and be removed from the premises. Participants who feel limited in their participation by the presence of professional media (gear) are encouraged to notify the organization.
RVs and campervans are located in a designated area but can also join their Dreamcamp if they are part of that camp. RV camping spots are exclusively for campervans and recreational vehicles, complying with the official demands listed by the Dutch law. (Temporary) remodeled vehicles such as vans and station cars do not apply and will therefore not be allowed on the RV campsite nor the event site. They have to stay in the parking area with a parking ticket.
An additional RV ticket is needed and is limited to availability. Every vehicle has to have a drip tray underneath the motor for any oil/chemical spillage. You will be checked on this! There must be at least 5 meters distance between RVs. There is no guarantee of a greywater disposal location in the RV area, so don’t fill up the shower or dishwater too quickly! And remember the available greywater points accept only filtered greywater. There will be power available for RVs, but limited. Every edition of Where the Sheep Sleep we carefully calculate the power needs during the event. And every edition we also calculate what providing all that power will cost.
Regarding power:
- Every edition of Where the Sheep Sleep we carefully calculate the power needs during the event and what providing all that power will cost.
- The power grid for the camper terrain is now scaled to provide 300W per camper. This is sufficient for a (normal camper size) fridge, LED lights, and charging your phone. It’s NOT sufficient for air conditioning, sound systems, hair dryers, medium/large appliances, Nespresso machines, etc.
- Connections will be provided on schuko connectors (normal Dutch power outlets). Please bring your own grounded(!!!!!!) power cable to connect to the grid.
- If your camper is staying in a DreamCamp it needs to be connected to the camp’s own grid. Remember to add the power it needs to the total of your camps power request.
In the Netherlands, different kinds of waste need to be separated. Separately dispose of:
- Paper and cardboard waste 🗞
- Plastic bottles and cans mostly have a deposit to return them in the supermarket
- Metal and drink packaging (PMD)
- Green waste 🥗 / Organic waste
- General waste 🗑
- Glass
We encourage you to be creative and find ways to collaborate with other (new) friends to find your way to our fantastic site. Ridesharing is encouraged and a fun way to get in the mood while driving to the terrain. Either rideshare with your friends or check this Facebook group to share rides and meet new sheep along the way!
Our event site is nicely secluded and because of that public transport is a good practice in radical self-reliance and communal effort. The nearest bus stop is “NULDERPAD”, which is a fair bit of walking from the terrain. You can check 9292OV or other public transport info for the latest news.
Please use the sinks as much as possible to dispose of any greywater you collect near your camping spot. If you are going to bathe in the great outdoors, instead of using soap to get yourself clean, just use a washcloth and scrub. Water is an excellent solvent that attaches to dirt and mud and washes it away. Soap only helps to suspend the dirt that water attaches to and rinses it away more quickly and easily.
If you must wash with soap out of doors, use one that is biodegradable and phosphate-free, and use it sparingly. Do all your washing, bathing, or cleaning at least 30 meters from any water source. The best is to dispose of your greywater into the designated sinks or drainage holes around the terrain. Please be aware that you should not fill these with greasy and chunky dishwashing water! We don’t want them to clog, so filter (use an old or new pantyhose) your greywater before disposing of it.
Due to proximity to homes and to ensure early-risers aren’t disturbed too much, amplified sound must be turned off after 01:00. There is a daily quiet period from 08.00 – 13.00 where singing and musical instruments are allowed , however without the use of amplifiers or speakers , and at a level that can only be heard within your own camp. Please be respectful of your neighbors.
The event takes place under Dutch law and this also brings some bureaucracy. We need a tent book manual of tents above 25m2. You can ask for this at your rental place. An example will be shown when you register your Dreamcamp.
Children up to 4 years participate for free, for children between 4 and 17 years old there’s a special kids ticket. Children receive a different color wristband since they cannot be served alcohol or cigarettes. All children, regardless of age, must have a ticket (either free or paid) appropriate for their age group.
We urge everybody to check each other thoroughly on a daily basis. Should you find one, here is how to remove it:
- Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. …
- After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
- Never crush a tick with your fingers.
Are you unsure or nervous to remove a tick yourself? Go to the First Aid post on site – they will gladly help you out.
Yes! Children of all ages are radically included at Where the Sheep Sleep! But while Where the Sheep Sleep brings out the kid in many adults, it is still primarily an adult atmosphere. You should talk to your kids in advance about the kind of things they might see or hear, and discuss what they will and won’t be OK with.
Please note: We consider a ‘parent’ to be anyone legally and, more importantly, emotionally responsible for the health, well-being, and upbringing of a child, whether a genetic parent–child relationship exists or not. From the standpoint of the law, and of responsibility, a child is anyone under the age of 18. They will be wearing a different event bracelet and everyone is expected to adhere to the no alcohol under 18 legislation.
To make this event even remotely possible, volunteers are needed in big supply. A Burning Man rule of thumb is one burner = one shift. Not only is volunteering important, it’s super fun and a great way to make new friends! Sign up now or visit the Info Hub to see which shifts are needed most.
One of our core principles is radical self-reliance. You need to bring everything you’ll need to survive in the harsh Dutch climate ;). You definitely need shelter to sleep in (tent, RV, caravan). Cars are not allowed on the event terrain so those are not an option! Remember to bring everything you’ll need to survive for a few days – warm clothes, cool clothes, lights, water bottle, a cup, a jerry can to carry water to your tent, sleeping bag, pillow, mattress, towel, medication, sunscreen, toiletries, your mooncup, toilet paper… Efficiency third, but, really, camping is more enjoyable if you have your sh*t together.
As mentioned in Leave No Trace, please be sure to bring only items that are compatible with the terrain (biodegradable soaps, etc.) and will not create MOOP (“matter out of place”, otherwise known as any kind of trash).
You MUST bring enough food for the duration of the event, there are NO food trucks. The event does have taps for drinking water. But please be prepared! It’s always a good idea to bring a couple of liters in case of an emergency. Remember, to prepare all your food for the long weekend, think of: pots and pans, plate, bowl, knives, forks, spoons, dishcloth, biodegradable dishwashing liquid (even if it is biodegradable, after washing up, still treat it as greywater), bucket for washing up, coffee maker, cooking equipment.
Where the Sheep Sleep is built on community values and is the chance to make fantastic new friends – especially safely, one step at a time:
Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Work together to keep your neighborhood secure. Let someone know where you’re going if you wander off alone or with a new friend, and check in frequently with the people you know. Make new friends, but be alert to the actions of those you meet. Secure your valuables when away from your camp. Trust your instincts. Remember, Welfare, Rangers & Consent angles are all volunteering to help keep the event’s participants safe.
First Aid is done by an outside paid orginazation mandatory by Dutch Law for an event our size.
Until 1 am we are allowed to make amplified music/sound. There is a daily quiet period from 08.00 – 13.00 where any music, singing, and instruments should only be able to be heard within your own camp. Even bluetooth speakers can carry sound — please be respectful of your neighbors.
Please ensure you bring adequate rubbish and recycling bags. Please take responsibility for your own mess and set a good example to others – this is a LEAVE NO TRACE event. Read the Leaving No Trace section in this guide for more detailed information. In short, you are responsible for your own rubbish. There will be NO BINS OR COLLECTION SERVICES — you will need to take all of your trash with you. Please read the Leave No Trace section in this guide for more information.
Your ticket price goes towards renting the land, paying for toilets, the central infrastructure, transport, security, first aid, storage, and a plethora of other expenses vital to making Where the Sheep Sleep happen. We allocate 15% of the ticket income to art grants. DreamCamps charge fees, which are separate from the ticket price (what the camp fee covers depends on the camp, but it may include food, drinks, and the costs of running a really awesome sound system). Burning Man Netherlands is a non-profit organization run exclusively by non-paid volunteers. Your ticket price goes solely to cover the operational expenses of Burning Man Netherlands events — none of it goes into anyone’s pocket
Please don’t hesitate to go to First Aid with certified first-aid volunteers on shifts.
DreamCamps are groups of friends or soon to become friends that get together and create amazing experiences on the playa. And everything they bring is created and organized by the participants. The events and experiences are for everyone to enjoy. To be part of a DreamCamp you need to apply; see more info on the DreamCamp page
Build is 1-4 days prior to the event where all structures are built up. Camps build their camps and the org makes all installations like power, water, toilets, etc. If you join a camp and want to participate in building it up, please coordinate that with your own camp. And if you want to take part in the org Build, the signup is already live (see links below). You must have a ticket and of course, be onsite before the event starts. Build starts on Monday 16 June Build days are fun and working with your hands and with other burners is very rewarding. Sign up for build! You also need to register for early entry if you come for build
Free camping is an open space where people can set up a tent and just camp. This is an area you will be totally self-reliant, please bring everything you need to survive while you are free camping. There will be toilets near the free camping area.
Everything else is up to you (the participants of Where the Sheep Sleep) to provide for yourself and to share with your community, such as food, drinks, speaker, sound system, shelter, candy, art, hugs, clothing, music, performances, and medical supplies.
- Food or drinks
- Shelter
- Showers
- Trash bins/services (everything you bring in, you must take out)
A place to be, a place to pee & poop and drinking water taps. Toilets will be on various locations on the terrain. So are taps with drinking water, and so are ‘holes in the ground’ that end in the sewer system (so you can get rid of your (filtered) greywater in designated places). There is a project called EHBO with certified first-aid on shifts and fire safety volunteers (please follow the instructions from the Fire Safety Chief and team of fire safety volunteers).
- Access to the private event terrain from Thursday June 19 at 13:00 to Monday June 23 at 12:00 (midday). This includes access to “The Man”, the Temple, all ceremonies and all center camp activities as well as a range of activities at DreamCamps throughout the terrain.
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Certified first-aid and fire safety volunteers (EHBO) in case of emergencies
- A vibrant, accepting community eager for you to express yourself to the fullest!
A place to be, a place to pee & poop, and drinking water taps. Toilets will be on various locations on the terrain. So are taps with drinking water and so are ‘holes in the ground’ that end in the sewer system (so you can get rid of your (filtered) greywater in designated places). There is certified first-aid available as well as fire safety volunteers (please follow the instructions from the Fire Safety Chief and team of fire safety volunteers).
- Access to the private event terrain from Thursday June 23 at 13:00 to Monday June 27 at 12:00 (midday). This includes access to “The Man”, the Temple, all ceremonies and all center camp activities as well as a range of activities at DreamCamps throughout the terrain.
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Certified first-aid and fire safety volunteers (First Aid) in case of emergencies
- A vibrant, accepting community eager for you to express yourself to the fullest!
Most shifts start at the Infohub, Infohub volunteers can instruct you on where to go for your shift or have instructions ready for you on how to complete your shift. Since it’s the Infohub, we have info, so come by if you have questions about the what there is to do, where to find people or activities (like workshops) or how you can participate, Infohub has the answers! Infohub is also where you can drop off found items or pick up lost items.
The exact location for Where the Sheep Sleep is Scoutinglandgoed Zeewolde, Nulderpad 5, 3896 LV Zeewolde. Check out this link to Google Maps.
Welfare Enough is open 24 hours, providing a safe empathic place for participants who may be overwhelmed or distressed for any reason whatsoever. Welfare Enough is a calm space run by experienced trusting people where one can recover from and recollect themselves after challenging situations. Welfare Enough does not offer any medical services or help with injuries or physical health issues. Participants can go directly to the Welfare Enough tent without checking in at First Aid. If you think medical support may be needed, then please do go to First Aid
Hosted by Burning Man Netherlands, Where the Sheep Sleep is an annual multi-day choose-your-own-adventure event in June that features music, art, performances, and expression of all kinds. Based on the principles of radical self-expression, radical self-reliance, decommodification, participation and leaving no trace, it’s really up to each and every participant to create the reality you want to experience. It is a project in alternative society in which every attendee is an active participant integral to the collective experience. Where the Sheep Sleep is a Burning Man Netherlands event and part of a non-profit organization entirely run by volunteers.
There will be NO trash disposal facilities on site, so pack it in and take it home.
You are responsible for your own trash. If you smoke a cigarette, the butt goes in your bag, back to your tent, and (in your car) home from the event. The same goes for beer cans, packaging, food left-overs – absolutely everything you bring in must go back out with you! Since you WILL be taking your trash home with you, pack accordingly.
Remember: beer and soda cans are now subject to a deposit system, as are most bottles. Do not crush cans and keep the plastic caps with bottles.
Officially the terrain will open its doors from Thursday 19 June from 12.00. DreamCamps need to be built and if you are supporting your camp for build, you are welcome from Tuesday, June 17 from 11:00. We would love to know what time you are coming through the early entry form and the supplier form, so we can plan accordingly.
Don’t forget to bring everything you need – we don’t offer tool rentals. Please also keep in mind that we are building the infrastructure of the event terrain at the same time. Always follow the instructions of our site and build leads.
After the event it is time for strike and we need you to strike your camp ASAP after the event, this is on Monday 23 June. The terrain needs to be clear and clean by Monday at the end of the day. If you need longer, you can stay one more night but then you need to help with striking the rest of the event as well.
MOOP is an acronym for “Matter Out of Place”, a convenient way of referring to anything that is not originally of the land on which our event takes place. NEVER LET MOOP HIT THE GROUND. When you see trash on the ground, pick it up and take it with you. Let’s keep our playa, campsites and shared areas clean, people.
Where the Sheep Sleep is a no-commerce event. This means that nothing will be sold during the event, and you aren’t allowed to sell things when you’re there. We encourage you to explore the principles of a commerce-free system, and to gift away to your heart’s content.
Decommodification also protects Burning Man culture from being leveraged to promote, support or market a person, product, company or any kind of commercial endeavor. In essence: creating a camp with the goal of turning a profit, using a camp to financially benefit another individual or organization, or otherwise exploiting Burning Man culture, events, imagery, or intellectual property to promote a company, event, project, or product is out of alignment with the ethos of the event and culture. Moreover, it degrades the quality of our shared experience when people treat each other as economic actors rather than as authentic humans.
Unless you are registered as an early entree, you won’t be able to enter the terrain before Thursday 13:00.
- Thursday, 19 June: 13:00 – 22:00
- Friday, 20 June: 10:00 – 22:00
- Saturday, 21 June: 10:00 – 19:00
- Sunday, 22 June: gate closed
If you arrive with an RV after opening hours of the gate, you’ll be able to join the event but you have to sleep at the parking lot for the night (and that is offially in the netherlands not allowed).
Due to limited cell reception please download your ticket at home. Your ticket will be checked and you will be warmly greeted and given a wristband. With the wristband, you are allowed to leave the event area and return as you wish.
If weather permits (rain or drought) we burn the man on Saturday evening after sunset & the temple Sunday evening. Consider signing up for the fire perimeter to have a unique experience of one of these burns: https://signup.com/go/RsmeEQk
You can certainly NOT leave it on-site! Either take it home with you or to a recycling center en route home.
The one in Zeewolde is open on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Another option is Almere, Oldebroek & Harderwijk
Almere
- Argonweg 81, 1362 AD Almere Poort Open Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 17.00
- Vlotbrugweg 36, 1332 AJ Almere Buiten Open Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 17.00
- Upcycle Centrum: De Steiger 113, 1351 AK Almere Haven Open Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 17.00
Oldebroek
- Bovendwarsweg 93 8096 PP Oldebroek, Monday to Friday 07:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 12:00
Harderwijk
- Snelliusstraat 20 3846 BT Harderwijk, Monday to Friday 07:00 – 17:00
Info Hub is situated in the center of the terrain and marked on the map you received when you entered the event at Gate. We are open Thursday through Monday from 10:00 am to 08:00 pm.
We have limited space, many wishes, a permit with strict regulations and about 30+ DreamCamps. We try to accommodate all wishes as best we can but can not promise much. Please be flexible in the allocated placement; overall the green playa is not miles apart and everything is walking distance
There is limited cell signal on-site at Where the Sheep Sleep. In some places, you will find some. In the spirit of immediacy, put away your phone and immerse yourself! We also encourage radical self-expression, which can be hindered if people are taking photos or recording, so this offers an extra reason to leave your phone alone and be immediate.
Each Dream Camp will be supplied with the requested power connection at cost price (price will follow 3 weeks pre-event). Fill out the power request form for Dream camps and contact tech@burningman.nl if you may have special requests.
From the standpoint of the law, and of responsibility, a child is anyone under the age of 18. They will be wearing a different event bracelet and all DreamCamps are expected to adhere to the no alcohol under 18 legislation. That means no cigarettes and no alcohol for anyone under the age of 18.
If you are caught with any illegal substance (or are consuming alcohol or tobacco underage) we are required by law to inform local authorities. Consequences can be, but are not limited to, removal from terrain, monetary fines, or jail time. So respect this zero-tolerance policy.