FAQs.
your questions,
answered.
Everything you need to know about London
Decom. Tickets, participation, accessibility
and more. We’re here to make it easy.
Intro
What is London Decompression?
London Decompression is a community of Burners who create radically inclusive events in London, anchored in the ten principles of Burning Man. We’re an official regional event recognised by Burning Man Project. Think of it as a chance to “decompress” the Burning Man and Nowhere community experience into one night in London, with art, performance, theme camps, and a lot of people building something together rather than watching it happen.
Do I need to know the Ten Principles before I come?
No, but they’re the closest thing we have to house rules, so it helps. Radical Inclusion, Gifting, Decommodification, Radical Self-Reliance, Radical Self-Expression, Communal Effort, Civic Responsibility, Leave No Trace, Participation, and Immediacy. For more info check Principles & Practice. The short version is: come prepared, give without expecting anything back, contribute rather than consume, and look after each other.
Who runs it?
Everyone you meet is a volunteer, the greeters at the gate, the artists and DJs, the theme camps, the web team, and everyone doing welfare and safety shifts. There’s no paid staff. You’re already involved just by being there; if you want to go further, membership and volunteering are open to everyone.
Is this an official Burning Man event?
Yes, London Decompression is an official regional event recognised by Burning Man Project, aligned with Burning Man’s 10 guiding principles and official event criteria.
What does “Leave a Better Trace” mean?
It’s our extension of Burning Man’s “Leave No Trace” principle: not just leaving the venue as we found it, but reducing our environmental impact, educating each other, and encouraging more sustainable habits both at the event and beyond it. For more info check Principles & Practice.
Who’s behind londondecom.org?
londondecom.org is run by London Decompression Ltd, a members’ organisation and official regional event recognised by Burning Man Project. LONDON DECOMPRESSION LTD Company number 11302269 registered address 5th Floor Klaco House, 28 St John’s Square, London, United Kingdom, EC1M 4DN
First time?
I’ve never been to a Decom, or a burn of any kind, what should I know?
Mainly: it’s participatory, not a show you watch. Nobody is going to make you do anything, but the more you put in, talking to strangers, joining in with a theme camp, gifting something small, the more you’ll get out of it.
Can I come on my own?
Yes. Plenty of people do, and radical inclusion means you won’t be short of people to meet.
What do I bring?
Bring your own cup!
Is it a festival, a rave, or something else?
Closer to “something else.” There’s music and dancefloors, but it’s built and run by the people attending it, not staged for an audience, as covered under Decommodification and Participation. For more info check Principles & Practice.
Is there an age restriction?
To attend London Decompression events you must be aged 18 or over
What should I wear?
Whatever makes you feel good, bonus points if it fits the year’s theme. There’s no strict dress code beyond our nudity and photo consent guidelines. For more info check Consent.
Membership & tickets
Do I need to be a member to attend?
Yes, every ticket has to be bought by a member. Membership itself is free and open to anyone who wants to take part.
How much does membership cost, and how do I sign up?
Membership is free and open all year round. Sign up in the Member’s Area
How many tickets can I buy, and can I get one for a friend?
Each member can buy one ticket. You can pass your ticket to someone else, but only to another member, and never for more than face value. We’re a not-for-profit, not a resale market.
Does being a member guarantee me a ticket?
No, tickets are limited and subject to availability, membership just makes you eligible to buy one.
How does membership renew, and how do I cancel?
Membership renews automatically each year. To cancel at any time, email members@londondecom.org.
Who owns London Decompression, and who profits from it?
We’re a members’ organisation, a company limited by guarantee, so members collectively own it, though that doesn’t give anyone rights to company assets. No individual profits; any surplus is retained to fund future events. For more info check Finance & Feedback.
How is my data protected?
We don’t sell or pass on membership information to third parties, and we use best endeavours to keep it secure. For more info check Privacy Policy.
Event
When’s the next Decom?
Historically it’s in November. Full details on the next date can be found on the Event page as they’re confirmed.
Where does it happen?
We don’t publicly advertise the exact venue or address. It’s shared with members closer to the date. Historically it’s been an East London venue around the Docklands area.
What time does it start and finish?
Usually we run from 6pm to 5am. For more info check Event.
What can I expect once I’m inside?
Multiple themed indoor rooms plus outdoor space, live music, performance, art installations, and a dancefloor or three. The specific rooms and line-up change every year. For more info check Event closer to the date.
How do I get home afterwards?
Worth checking TfL for planned engineering works before you travel, especially on DLR and the Elizabeth line, and having a night bus or cab option in your back pocket for after last trains. For more info check Venue Accessibility.
Is there a cloakroom?
Yes, there will be a cloakroom and some self-served lockers near the entrance.
Is there food and drink on site?
Yes, we usually get support from the venue with drinks and easy food. As these services are not provided by London Decom, they will not be gifted, so you will need to pay for them. For more info check Event.
Getting involved
How can I volunteer?
Every part of Decom runs on volunteers, gate, welfare, rangers, theme camps, the web team, and more. General volunteer sign-ups typically open in October; leadership roles recruit earlier. For more info check Participation.
What’s a theme camp, and do I need to join one to attend?
No, plenty of people come without one. A theme camp is a group who build and run a space or activity together (a bar, a stage, an art installation, a ritual). If you’d like to bring one check Participation
Can I perform, DJ, or bring art?
Yes, for more info check Participation. In keeping with Decommodification, this is gifted, not booked or paid.
Can I take on a lead role?
Yes. For more info check Participation, including what’s open and when applications run.
Do I have to volunteer to attend?
No. Volunteering is entirely optional, but it’s the best way to get more out of the community year-round.
Consent & code of conduct
What does “consent” mean at Decom?
More than the obvious, it covers touching someone’s clothing or mobility aid, taking their photo, or starting a conversation about something personal. We use the acronym FIRES: consent should be Freely given, Informed, Reversible, Enthusiastic, and Specific. For more info check Care & Consent.
What if I experience or witness something that breaks the Code of Conduct?
Tell a Consent Lead or any volunteer with a radio during the event, or email consent@londondecom.org afterwards. Reports are handled fairly, quickly, and confidentially. For more info check Code of Conduct, including how it’s investigated.
Is there somewhere to go if I need a break?
Yes, a dedicated welfare/chill-out space with seating, calm decor, and volunteers on hand. Trained medics are also on site at all times; flag down a Ranger or venue security if you need one.
Is photography allowed?
Only with consent. Professional photographers on shift will check in before taking candid shots, and often opt-out badges are available from Greeters if you’d rather not be photographed at all. Drones need prior authorisation. For more info check Care & Consent.
What’s the policy on nudity?
Topless is fine once you’re through security; fully nude or clothing that’s transparent over genitals isn’t. For more info check Care & Consent.
Accessibility
Is the venue accessible?
It varies by room, some spaces are step-free, others involve stairs with no lift alternative. We publish a detailed room-by-room accessibility guide (step heights, doorway widths, toilet locations, sensory info) ahead of each event. For more info check Venue Accessibility.
Who can I talk to about a specific access need?
Email inclusion@londondecom.org ahead of time, or speak to a greeter, gate volunteer, or venue staff on the night. Temporary seating is available if you need it while queuing.
Community & ethos
What does “Leave No Trace” mean for an indoor event?
The same principle, applied to a venue instead of open land: nothing gets left behind, and we aim to leave the space in as good or better condition than we found it, part of why venues are willing to work with us again. For more info check Principles & Practice.
How is Decom funded, and where can I see the numbers?
We’re a not-for-profit membership company. Any surplus goes toward future events, never to individuals. For more info check Finance & Feedback, covering financial reporting and post-event survey results.
How do I stay in touch between events?
Follow London Decompression on Facebook. If you’re elsewhere in the UK, there are sibling burner communities, Manchester, Bristol, Cambridge, and others. For more info check Community.
Getting in touch
How do I contact the team?
Email info@londondecom.org, or follow us on Instagram. For anything about membership specifically, members@londondecom.org.
I want to report something outside of an event, who do I email?
consent@londondecom.org for anything Code of Conduct or consent-related; inclusion@londondecom.org for accessibility. Check Contact for everything else.