What If

Thursday July 31 to Monday August 4, 2025 in Merritt, BC

What If 2025 Announcement (formerly Burn in the Forest)

What If , the event formerly known as Burn in the Forest (BitF) will be held from Thursday, July 31 to Monday, August 4, 2025, in Merritt, BC, on the traditional lands of the Nlaka’pamux and Syilx peoples, who share title over this land.

Now, all we need is YOU. We’re looking to fill a number of important leadership positions – more info will come out soon!

Do you have the drive, skills, and experience to help make What If 2025 amazing? Join one of our fabulous Committees to help shape our return to this amazing site! Apply here for Leadership Opportunities!

Keen to help by volunteering in a non-leadership position? What If needs hundreds of volunteers (a minimum commitment of only 4 hours) to ensure its ongoing success. By indicating your interest early, our Volunteer Committee can share opportunities as they arise for you to find the best fit. Sign up here to be on our Volunteer Opportunity Email List!

Important Dates 2025

CURRENT DATES & DEADLINES:

July 21: Deadline for WWW Guide submissions to make it into the print-at-home version
July 21 – What If Love Wins? Effigy ceremony performer applications close
July 27 – Early Arrival form due date
July 31 – Gates Open!
August 4 – Event Closes.

PAST DATES & DEADLINES:

CLOSED: Temple and Effigy applications
May 16th – Ticket Information Dump
May 16th – Ticket Aid application opens (until pool runs dry)
May 18th – Steward Ticket System opens
May 22nd – General Sale opens
June 11 – Mezzo Arts Grants close
June 11 – First Round Placement applications close (for guaranteed Steward Tickets)
June 11 – Temple and Effigy applications close
July 6th – Last day to purchase Steward Tickets
July 9: Theme / Sound Camp Placement applications
July 9: Art Placement applications
July 9:Minor Arts Grants
July 9: Micro Art Grants
July 9: Second Round Placement applications
July 13th – Last Minute Sale (pending General Sale sellout)
July 15 – Centre Camp events applications close

What If News

#What If 2025

December 24, 2025

What If Temple community voting

We’ve received two wonderful Temple submissions for What If 2026, and we’re asking members of our community to vote to select which vision will be…

November 5, 2025

What If 2026 Theme submissions now open!

Do you have the best idea ever for the theme for What If 2026? The Production Team is getting a jump start this year and we’re…

November 5, 2025

Applications are now open for the What If 2026 Temple and the Effigy!

As announced at Tuesday’s Town Hall… In an effort to give artists more time to incorporate this year’s theme into their design, we’re staggering the…

October 29, 2025

GVIAS Town Hall is happening this coming Tuesday!

Join us virtually on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 7pm for a GVIAS Town Hall Over 350+ members of our community took the time to share their thoughts…

October 29, 2025

What If 2026 Date announcement!

We’re thrilled to announce What if is returning to Merritt from Thursday, July 23 to Monday, July 27!! Book your time off work now, as…

August 11, 2025

Lost and Flailed (Found) from What If

Our amazing Flow Associate Producer has taken photos of all the flailed items that ended up in the main Lost and Flailed bins! If you…

More News

What is What If?

What If, the event formerly known as Burn in the Forest (BitF) is the Greater Vancouver Interactive Arts Society’s (GVIAS) Official Burning Man Regional annual summer event.

We support the diversity and experimentation of experience and ideas.
We will create a Temporary Autonomous Zone where people may safely engage in new experiences without judgement.
We will strengthen existing friendships and build new ones, rewarding each other in special ways.
We are self-sufficient and leave no trace except in our memories.

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Event Info

Each summer we build a temporary community over an extended weekend. Together we create a village and gift each other in many ways that express our creativity and play.

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Participate

Our community is built on the participation of its members – from the simple exchange of food, stories, or a lending hand, to the elaborate construction of an interactive art project.

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