About FZB

FreezerBurn Texas is a Central Texas winter regional arts event and community experiment. FreezerBurn 2026 will be held on Jan. 16-19 at Valkyrie Ranch in Paige, and the theme is Duck Stuff 3.

🦆 ➡️ Tickets for FreezerBurn 2026 are currently on sale at https://qkt.io/FZB26 ⬅️ 🦆

Jan 9 update:👷All about loadout + 🎨 One-day-only art grants!

💩POOP and you🧑‍🎨

POOP Grants: Available only at Loadout.

Announcing the Porto Ornamentation and Optimization Program! (“POOP,” get it?) The Art Team will be distributing $50 POOP cash grants at Loadout for anyone who wants to decorate or augment a porto-pottie at FreezerBurn. Come to Loadout and find Creatrix to get your hands on one. Then be sure to wash your hands, ya filthy animal. To apply: https://fs25.formsite.com/fzbtx/POOP/index

🚚Loadout💪

We need your help to get the stuff to the place so we can do the thing!

FreezerBurn is powered by volunteers. Volunteers like you! Helping with loadout is also a great opportunity to sneak a peek at your camp’s placement and get a head start planning what to put where. (No personal or camp gear should be taken out yet.)

Loadout will look a little different this year. This year ALL of the loadout help we need will happen ON LAND, at Valkyrie Ranch (2030 FM2104, Paige, TX 78659) and it starts at at 10am TOMORROW (Sat, Jan 11)!

We need:

– Muscles to load and unload trailers on land

– Muscles to help repair our drash tents

Here’s the Facebook event if you’re into that sort of thing: https://www.facebook.com/events/1419809483086396/

Jan 6 update: ⌛️ Close to the wire + 🚨 Important info! 💁

🏆 Winner winner quackin’ dinner… We have stickers! 

Thanks to all who submitted their vision for the FreezerBurn 2026 sticker. In the end, though, there can be only one. Melody from Camp Pets 4 Pets had the design that most charmed our distinguished panel of judges.

 

This year’s Art Supporter sticker was designed by Tiny Tim. Folks who got Art Tickets will get one– or find someone on the Art Team who will also have some to give away! 

🧭 The map is out!

Did someone ask for a map? See and download it at: https://fzbtx.com/freezerburn-2026-map/ 

Thanks to Rachel Lee “Grandma” for her excellent work in producing this map for us all! 

🎫 Volunteer tickets, critical event needs, and you

It’s not too late to make it to FreezerBurn this year: tickets are still available to anyone willing to step up and help out the community. This event is by us all, for us all. 

Some unfilled critical needs: 

  1. Fire (throughout the event) and Burn Perimeter (Sunday PM only) both need more volunteers so that we can burn safely!
  2. The Rangers need help. It’s a great way to see the event and meet new folks! They have two upcoming virtual trainings:
  3. Medical needs volunteers with and without professional certifications!

Even if you have a ticket already, we’d love your help! 

⏰ Loadout is changing

Loadout is when we get all our stuff to the place so we can do the thing… And it will look a little different this year. This year ALL of the loadout help we need will happen ON LAND, at Valkyrie Ranch.

We need:

  • Muscles to load and unload trailers on land
  • Muscles to help repair our drash tents
  • Two trailers to help move stuff across land

It’s this Saturday, starting at 10am. And there’s a Facebook event if you’re into that kinda thing: https://fb.me/e/6UAiGCNYc 

⏰ Last call for events – register by Jan 9

Events not at Center Camp: https://forms.gle/iSDVHi5ouPT3D7x17

Events at Center Camp: https://forms.gle/2tCnzjTN8Gku39E57

Dec 22 update: Survival Guide released + Focus on helping hands + More!

 ⏰⌛️ Take note of these deadlines:

  • Sticker contest deadline extended: Sun, Dec 28
  • Art tickets close: Fri, Jan 2
  • Event submission deadline: Tue, Jan 6
  • Minor and child ticket deadline: Fri, Jan 9
  • Center camp event submission deadline: Fri, Jan 9

📕 2026 Survival Guide released!

It’s updated with the latest great info, full of useful knowledge for experienced FreezerBurners and newbies alike. Also, it looks fantastic! Even if you think you know the contents (you don’t, there’s new stuff), it’s worth the read just to enjoy the design and layout. Thanks a ton for the hard work and creativity of William Yarbrough (https://wcyarbrough.com/). Check it out here: https://fzbtx.com/survival-guide/

🚧 A great way to help out: Work Weekend #2, Fri to Sun, Jan 2-4

By now, you may know you’re coming to FZB; lots of us do because we already bought our tickets, yay! How about coming out to help get the land ready for you and your theme camp and all the other Burners that will be joining us? There’s plenty of work to go around.

Also, if anyone has an extra pole driver or REALLY enjoys hitting things into the ground… we will be driving sign poles the second work weekend and would love help!

Sign up: https://forms.gle/9vKLjYFDbj2M3rcX6

🎫 Ticket availability redux 

General sales have closed, but tickets are still available at: FreezerBurn tickets on Quicket: https://qkt.io/FZB26. You have choices:

  • Art Tickets

Your $200 covers normal admission *and* $75 that goes directly to the art fund. That coin helps bring the creativity we all love to the event. Bonus: you get an exclusive sticker.

  • Volunteer Tickets

Volunteer Tickets (regular $125, economy $75) are available as a directed sale from Department Leads. 

 🎉 You’re hosting an event?

Let the world know about it. Register at https://forms.gle/iSDVHi5ouPT3D7x17 by Jan 6.

🎪 Center Camp events – your space, our space, sign up!

Center Camp has been relocated this year – it’ll front directly on the main loop, which will significantly increase visibility and foot traffic. If you put on an event you’ll have quite a few people dropping in. Come, help bring it to life! Register your event at: https://forms.gle/2tCnzjTN8Gku39E57 by Jan 9.

🥇 The sticker contest is over extended one week!

Ok, ok, I’m a softie. You get _one_more_week_ to get your entry submitted.

Submit via email to comms@fzbtx.com by Sun, Dec 28!

Dec 15 update: Ticket Deadline ⏱️ + Work Weekend 👷 + More! 📣

 ⏰⌛️ REMINDER: These key dates are quickly approaching!

Deadlines are as follows: 

🦺 Work Weekend: Fri to Sun, Jan 2-4

Before we can blink twice, it’ll be time for champagne and fireworks–and ringing in the new year. You know what that means – yep, the next – and last! – work weekend is nearly here. The time and place to sign up for it is here and now: https://forms.gle/9vKLjYFDbj2M3rcX6

Y’all, the land needs a lot of work to be ready for the event, and the best way to make that go easily and well is to have a lot of hands. Work weekends are a great way to camp with some fun people. It’s a good time to get a test run in for your camping gear. And it is quite satisfying when the event is going on to know you really helped make it possible.

👷 Volunteers needed for the event also

As of when I type this, volunteer slots are only 16% filled. We’ve got a ways to go yet getting the shifts staffed. This is all done by us for us, so come be part of the magic. 

To get started, check out the FreezerBurn Volunteer Portal  (fzbtx.volunteeripate.com) to explore available shifts, or email volunteerz@fzbtx.com and our fearless Volunteerz AF Magic will personally help direct you to shifts that work the best for your interests and strengths.

There are still critical positions to fill:

  • Department Leads:
    • Weather 
    • (Load Out) Transportation 
    • Info Kiosk 
  • Shift Leads:
    • Yetis 
    • Medical
    • Greeters
    • Parking
    • Zone Czars
  • Volunteers!
    • Pre and Post (City Setup/Teardown)
    • Work Weekend #2

Bringing some Magic into your life (see above) is a great way to find out about and fill these.

🎉 Events 🏕️ 📆

Do you have planned activities at your camp? Nobody shows up, you’re sad. We miss them, we’re sad. Nobody wants that; there’s an easy fix. Register them by Jan. 6’th. All listed events will be publicly visible to the whole community. Yay, everybody’s happy!

❤️‍🔥 Effigy: Come help build!

The effigy build crew is rocking it, and there’s still plenty of room for YOU to help there also. It’s all happening at the Burning Flipside Warehouse, and build days are: 

  • Tuesdays 6pm-10pm or WowImTired 
  • Sunday 10am-6pm

C’mon out; there’s something for everyone. Bring gloves and eye protection please.

🥇 The sticker contest is underway 

Entries are coming in, the deadline is approaching, so toss your metaphorical hat into the ring and submit that design!

This remains the only way to get a free ticket to FreezerBurn. Even more fun is that every single attendee gets a copy of your artwork manifested in that sticker.

Submit via email to comms@fzbtx.com by Sun, Dec 21! (Check out our last newsletter for technical requirements and our AI policy, or just ask for that info when reaching out!)

Nov. 19 update: Come chat with us! 💬 + Volunteer signups open! 🙋 + Effigy announced ❤️‍🔥 + Sticker contest 🙌

 ⏰⌛️ REMINDER: These key dates are quickly approaching!

Deadlines are as follows: 

🗣 Come chat with leadership: Sat, Dec 13

Got something you want to talk to the FZB Board or Leadership about? Just want to come get to know folks better? Join us for a food and/or drink and/or chat.

👷 Volunteer signups are OPEN!

FreezerBurn is ENTIRELY volunteer-run — you knew that already, ya? It takes a lot of hands and brains and ideas and hard work to make our pop-up city and art event go. It’s satisfying work; when it’s all done, you get to say “I helped make that happen!” There are all sorts of roles: front and center or behind the scenes; mobile or stationary; newbie-friendly or experience required. Whatever you have to bring, there’s a place for your particular talents to shine.

To get started, check out the Freezerburn Texas Ticket Portal to explore available shifts in your own time, or email volunteerz@fzbtx.com for a more concierge experience where our fearless Magic will help direct you to shifts that fit your interests and/or abilities.

If you do have experience and want to take on extra responsibility, then please consider the following lead positions:

  • Weather Lead
  • Load Out Transpo Lead
  • Porto Lighting Lead
  • Yeti Lieutenant & Shift Leads
  • Daily info update

Email volunteerz@fzbtx.com if you’re interested or have questions about any of the roles!

🦆🏗️ Effigy announced + Come help build!

We are pleased to announce this year’s effigy for FreezerBurn 2026: Duck Stuff 3 is “The Duck Returns.”

Out of the dust, feathers rise.

The Duck has returned—bigger, brighter, and slightly more self-aware than before.

Born from plywood, fire, and the collective spirit of questionable engineering choices, Duck Stuff 3: The Reckoning is the evolution of a legend that refuses to stay grounded.

Towering high above the playa floor, this colossal waterfowl is part temple, part playground, and part fever dream. Participants can climb its spiral staircase, ascend through its belly, and emerge onto upper decks that overlook the world through the eyes of the duck itself. Inside, the structure hums with light and motion—stairs, slides, and wings glowing with LEDs and pulsing with life.

At night, the Duck comes alive. Its wings flicker with flame, its heart glows, and its laughter echoes in bursts of propane and light. Whether you worship it, dance beneath it, or just wonder how it got approved by the safety team, one thing is certain: you’ll never look at ducks—or art installations—the same way again.

The effigy is being built at the warehouse and build days will be: 

  • Tuesdays 6pm-10pm or WowImTired 
  • Sunday 10am-6pm

All ages welcome, please have adult supervision for any minors. Bring gloves and eye protection please.

Always keep an eye out for announcements for any changes in times/days.

🧑‍🎨📜 Calling artists, creators, designers, doodlers: the 2026 FreezerBurn official sticker contest is hereby open! 

Would you enjoy the myriad benefits that come with being a celebrated artist? 

Do you have a desire to see your design stuck to all manner of Burn accoutrements?

Would you like to be the only person in the Entire Universe to get a free ticket to FreezerBurn 2026?

YES? YES? Have we got a deal for you. For the low, low entry price of $0 all of this could be yours.

If your design reigns supreme with our panel of esteemed judges, then you will be rewarded with the only golden ticket. As always, every FreezerBurner will be given a sticker made with the winning design.

Your masterwork should be delivered by email to comms@fzbtx.com by Sun, Dec 21!

Technical requirements:

  • 2-3” wide and 2-3” tall
  • Raster or vector files both accepted
    • Raster files must be at 300 dpi
  •  Must include the text “FreezerBurn 2026”
  •  Must include the text “Duck Stuff 3”

Submissions must conform to the Freezerburn AI policy, which is:

  • AI art is a tool in our toolbox, just like a synthesizer is for the musically inclined in our community. It can be used to generate elements of FreezerBurn org creative or designs– or to help inspire them– but it should not be used wholesale for any.
  • This is our current best thinking and philosophy on what will undoubtedly be an ongoing conversation and evolving issue for our art-centric community. We look forward to a robust and continuing dialog about expression, attribution, and creation.
  • The selection committee reserves the right to have a conversation with the submitter should there be questions about whether this policy was followed.

🏕️🥳 You know you don’t want to miss this… Get your tickets today! 

Oct. 27 update: Hypothermia 🥶 + Work weekends 👷 + Ways you can help ✨  

📆😀 Hype for Hypothermia + Woohoo for Work Weekends

Want new skills? Want to meet and interact with amazing peeps? Want to contribute in a concrete (or vegetation-trimming) way to the event? 🧤Get ready for a fun time of improving your knowledge and lending your helping hands.

Nov. 14-16 is when it all happens. Hypothermia is a free, weekend-long training to prep for volunteer shifts at FreezerBurn. Plus, a work weekend to prepare the land for FreezerBurn is happening at the same time. Twice the fun, twice the opportunities. 👯

Register for Hypothermia here: https://forms.gle/DWStab2XuiBGs5gV7

Because one work weekend isn’t enough for our intrepid crews, we’ll have a second from Jan 2-4. Register for work weekends here: https://forms.gle/28qzbEvYgoxkedu76

🦸😎 Will you be a hero and join in on the fun?

Here are a few new roles we’re recruiting for: 

  • The Yetis department on the Site Ops team assists with city maintenance and provides general participant support… And our Yetis lead, Rocksea, needs more help this cycle:
    • Yetis Lieutenant: You’ve seen the Yetis; helpful beasts that they are, roaming around and doing good. Help wrangle these lovable creatures during the event.
    • Yetis Shift Leads: Want to be even more Yeti? We’re looking for anyone who has volunteered for Yetis before and is interested in taking on a little more for a few hours.
  • Be the one who brings light to a really dark place. The Site Ops team is also looking for a Porto Lighting Lead. Dark porta-potties are scary things. Are you interested in making our portos a brighter place?
  • Did you get really excited about the storms this weekend? Do you love checking multiple forecasts for the latest? The Safety team is looking for one or more new Weather Leads. 
  • The City Planning team is seeking someone who loves to combine function and beauty for Signage Lead.

And we’re also still working to find some fine folks for these roles too: 

  • Parking Lead: Prepare our parking lot (arriving Wednesday pre-event) and lead the volunteers who get to play IRL Tetris all weekend long.
  • Volunteerz AF: This is a 365-position, responsible for wrangling all the generous and helpful humans who make FreezerBurn possible. The Volunteerz AF leads “human resources” efforts, including recruiting, connecting, onboarding, and supporting. We will ideally fill this role with two people–or even better, with a “pod” comprised of folks in all major Texas cities. 

Interested in one of these roles? Want to nominate someone? Email volunteers@fzbtx.com

🏕️🥳 You know you don’t want to miss this… Get your tickets today! 

 ⏰⌛️ REMINDER: These key dates are quickly approaching! 

Artists: FreezerBurn Art Intake is live: https://fs25.formsite.com/fzbtx/artintake/

Deadlines are as follows: 

  • Effigy proposals: Wed, Nov. 5
  • Art grants: Fri, Nov. 21
  • Art map placement: Thu, Dec. 5

Theme Camp leads: Registration is open: https://forms.gle/vJF3BUDJi8dkNX5f6

  • Deadline: Fri, Nov. 14

Everyone: Come chat with FZB Leadership! 

Got something you want to talk to us about? Just want to come get to know folks better? Join us for a food and/or drink and/or chat.

💪📋 What we’re working on right now

FreezerBurn Leadership is hard at work and full speed ahead. Here’s some of what we’ve been up to lately: 

  • Recruiting and onboarding new department leads
  • Brainstorming new ideas for Center Camp 
  • Planning for work weekends and land development
  • Updating reference materials for the new event cycle 
  • Launching ticket sales
  • Talking and thinking through annual budgets and spending priorities
  • Configuring our new volunteer signup tool, Volunteeripate
  • Setting up new systems for emergency communications 

Oct. 12 update: Theme camp registration open ✅ + Art intake open 🎨 + New volunteer opportunity ✨

🏕️ Reminder: Don’t dawdle; get your tickets! 

🎪 Bringing a Theme Camp?

Yo, pay attention! Registration closes earlier this year:

  • Theme Camp registration is live NOW! Get on it: Theme Camp Registration
  • Theme Camp registration closes on Friday, Nov. 14

Also, sage advice, much wisdom, and doubtless a healthy dose of snark can be found in the FreezerBurn Theme Camp Leads group on Facebook. It’s a handy resource for, um, people leading theme camps at FreezerBurn. 🤣

🧑‍🎨 All things ART!

FreezerBurn Art Intake is open! This form is for art placement, art grants, and effigy proposals. You’ve got great ideas, we want to help bring them to life. So please get them submitted by the following deadlines:

  • Effigy proposals: Wed, Nov. 5
  • Art grants: Fri, Nov. 21
  • Map placement: Thu, Dec. 5

🗣 Chat with leadership: Sunday, Nov. 2 

Got something you want to talk to the FZB Board or Leadership about? Just want to come get to know folks better? Join us for a food and/or drink and/or chat.

🕺🏻 Stayin’ alive!

We know you read it. We know you loved it. We know you thought, “How do I get in on that??” Yes, of course, we’re talkin’ about the Survival Guide. The Comms Team is seeking an editor and a designer. (This could be one role, or two!) You can secure a small piece of immortality and the gratitude of totally countable numbers of your frosty friends by pitching in. Email comms@fzbtx.com for more info and to step right up. ✍️ 

🛣️ Down the road

  • A peek at the land: The advance team made a super top secret visit to the Land this past weekend. I’d tell you more but they’d have to kill me.
  • A new and improved volunteer signup tool will be coming. We’re moving from Duplie to Volunteeripate. Watch this space for a signup link in a few weeks!

Oct. 1 update: General Ticket sales open + New leadership + Theme Camp deadline ✨

🏕️ General Tickets are now available! 

A limited number of tickets are available, so don’t delay in snagging yours!

👋 Welcome to new leadership!

Framer, who has been our Photo Lead for the past several years, has joined our FreezerBurn Leadership team as our new Communications AF. And Creatrix is stepping into the Art AF role. Please join us in welcoming them both! 🎉

🙋 Want to get involved? 

We need new leaders–leaders like YOU! Past leadership is available to assist you in transitioning into your new role. 

  • 😸 Volunteerz: This is a 365-position, responsible for wrangling all the generous and helpful humans who make FreezerBurn possible. The Volunteerz AF leads “human resources” efforts, including recruiting, connecting, onboarding, and supporting. We will ideally fill this role with two people–or even better, with a “pod” comprised of folks in all major Texas cities.
  • 🛠️ Effigy Build: Any artist can submit an effigy, and we need an experienced Effigy Build Lead to partner with them and help bring it to fruition.
  • ☃️ Hypothermia: We are looking for three coordinators for our multi-department Hypothermia training weekend. Experience organizing events is a plus, but not required!

Interested in one of these roles? Want to nominate someone? Email board@fzbtx.com.

🎪 Bringing a Theme Camp?

Take note: City Planning is changing things up, with the goal of having more time to listen and respond to your feedback.

  • Theme Camp registration opens on Friday, Oct. 10
  • Theme Camp registration closes on Friday, Nov. 14

Yes, that is a couple of weeks earlier. That’s why we’re giving y’all a heads up right now!

Sept. 17 update: 2026 theme announced + Tickets on sale NOW

Whether you want to refer back or you’re getting this info for the first time, here’s all the information from Sunday’s Town Hall… 

The competition was fierce… 

…but ultimately there was a clear winner for the theme of our next event… “Duck Stuff 3”! Hold on to your hats, because the prep starts now for FreezerBurn 2026, which is, as always, on MLK Day Weekend, and this cycle that’s Jan. 16-19. Quack quack, folks!

Last call for candidates: Interviews start soon!

We’re still recruiting for these roles, and past leadership for both roles is available to help with the transition and onboarding, as they’ve graciously agreed to be an available resource this event cycle. 

  • Art: This is a 365-position, responsible for managing all things ART at FreezerBurn Texas. The Art AF is focused heavily on the Effigy and pre-event activities, including art grants, soliciting art, liaising with artists, and coordinating art placement. We will ideally fill this role with one or more folks who have brought art to FreezerBurn before–or are well-connected to our artist community. 
  • Volunteerz: This is a 365-position, responsible for wrangling all the generous and helpful humans who make FreezerBurn possible. The Volunteerz AF leads “human resources” efforts, including recruiting, connecting, onboarding, and supporting. We will ideally fill this role with two people–or even better, with a “pod” comprised of folks in all major Texas cities. 
  • Parking Lead: Prepare our parking lot and lead the volunteers who get to play IRL Tetris all weekend long.
  • Effigy Build Lead: Any artist can submit an effigy, and we need an experienced Effigy Build Lead to partner with them and help bring it to fruition.

Interested in one of these roles? Want to nominate someone? Email board@fzbtx.com. 

Changes in leadership

Bacon and Shoogs, who were Board Understudies last cycle, have graciously agreed to join Megaphone, Renegade, and Pitter Patter on the Board. We’re so glad to have them… onboard!

 Finally, tickets!

  • Art Tickets are available NOW! Find them on Quicket.
  • General and Economy Tickets will open on Oct. 1. There will be no lottery for General Tickets this year. 
  • Economy Tickets will follow the same process as last year: http://fzbtx.com/tickets 
  • Art Tickets will be available until they sell out, or otherwise close on Jan. 2. General Tickets will close by Dec. 19, or when they sell out. Economy Tickets will close when General Tickets sell out.
  • Volunteer Tickets are, of course, a thing again. Talk to your lead for details and deadlines. Dedicated Economy Tickets for volunteers will be available so long as Volunteer Tickets are!

What we’re working on right now

FreezerBurn Leadership has already started regular meetings for this event cycle. Right now, we’re: 

  • Talking to volunteers and volunteer leads about their needs for a volunteer shift signup tool
  • Confirming what Leads are coming back; Recruiting and interviewing folks for open roles
  • Onboarding new AFs and Leads 
  • Thinking through our priorities for Work Weekends this cycle
  • Setting our calendar for “pre-event events”–and a few post-event activities too through March of next year 

Like this small peek behind the scenes? Let us know, and we may include more of them! 

Aug. 30 update: Ready or Not…

FreezerBurn Town Hall is in two weeks!

Come chat with FreezerBurn Leadership to get critical org updates, including ticket dates and open leadership roles. Then help pick a theme!

  • Theme Camps and Art Projects: We welcome your participation! BYO table, gifts, and anything else.
  • Participants: BYO whatever you want. NO: glass, smoking, fundraising, sales of any sort.

Here’s what you need to know: 

  • When: Sunday, September 14, noon to 3pm; talking on a microphone will happen around 1pm
    All times are tentative and subject to change. (Burner time, man!) 
  • Where: The pavilion in Roy Guerrero Metropolitan Park; Exact location: https://goo.gl/maps/fdTyrNrsmaph6cSj9

Facebook event, if you’re into that kinda thing: https://www.facebook.com/events/1930614011109312/

We need a few good leaders…

As we gear up for this event cycle, we’re looking for leaders to head our Art Team and Volunteerz Team. Past leadership for both roles is available to help with the transition and onboarding, as they’ve graciously agreed to be an available resource this event cycle. 

  • Art: This is a 365-position, responsible for managing all things ART at FreezerBurn Texas. It is focused heavily on the Effigy and pre-event activities, including art grants, soliciting art, liaising with artists, and coordinating art placement. We will ideally fill this role with one or more folks who have brought art to FreezerBurn before–or are well-connected to our artist community. 
  • Volunteerz: This is a 365-position, responsible for wrangling all the generous and helpful humans who make FreezerBurn possible. The Volunteerz AF leads “human resources” efforts, including recruiting, connecting, onboarding, and supporting. We will ideally fill this role with two people–or even better, with a “pod” comprised of folks in all major Texas cities. 

Interested in one of these roles? Want to nominate someone? Email board@fzbtx.com. 

Contact us: board@fzbtx.com

Facebook page: FreezerBurn Texas

Key Dates Calendar: FreezerBurn Calendar page

Oh, and if you happen to be looking for the FreezerBurn Alberta, a Canadian Regional Burn: Their website is at http://www.freezerburn.org. We are not associated with that event, but we have common values and names. It’s a small world, after all.