Once a year, tens of thousands of people gather in Nevada's Black Rock Desert to create a city. And nine days later, that city disappears.

After a two-year hiatus, Burning Man returned for 2022.

Wrapping earlier this week, the nine-day event saw celebrities, regular 'Burners' and first-timers descend to the desert to celebrate art, creativity and free expression.

Under a sweltering sun and over freezing nights, there were wild costumes, art installations, musical performances, and lots of partying.

But what actually is Burning Man? And how does it differ from other festivals?

Here's everything you need to know.

What is Burning Man?

Burning Man was founded in 1986. The first iteration included less than 20 friends who built an 2.4 metre man out of scrap wood and lit it on fire on a beach in San Francisco.

Now over 20 years later, around 80,000 people ('Burners') attended Burning Man 2022: Walking Dreams. The event runs just over a week and always ends with the burning of 'the Man'.

Unlike festivals you attend where everything is provided for you, volunteers build, run and remove all traces of the week's festivities.

Burners have access to an ice store, portable toilets, medical and emergency services, sanitation station and fuel supply, but th