Already missing Burning Man? It's coming to San Francisco in October

Participants attend Burning Man 2018, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada. ("Sidney Erthal works with the Burning Man Project as an archivist, photographer, and translator.") Decompression at Black Top City in SF will be in October 2018. less Participants attend Burning Man 2018, the largest outdoor arts festival in North America, in the Black Rock desert of Gerlach, Nevada. ("Sidney Erthal works with the Burning Man Project as an archivist, ... more Photo: Sidney Erthal / Burning Man Photo: Sidney Erthal / Burning Man Image 1 of / 49 Caption Close Already missing Burning Man? It's coming to San Francisco in October 1 / 49 Back to Gallery

The Burning Man dust will barely be out of your clothes before it's time to head out to Black Top City, the annual urban Burning Man experience coming to San Francisco in October.

The festivities, scheduled from 2 p.m. on Oct. 20 to 2 a.m. the next day, will take place at the Potrero Power Station, and involve “art, mutant vehicles, theme camps, inner- and deep-playa, performance, and discovery,” much like the actual Burning Man. Though‚ considering Burning Man's SF origins, Decompression is really just bringing the festival back to the bay.

Burners who have been to previous Decompressions in San Francisco describe it as more of a big block party, a little more relaxed and less immersive than the Black Rock experience.

And it makes sense, considering Decompression is basically a single-day affair. What’s more, it's hard to feel totally secluded when a 20-minute drive will land you at Millennium Tower (a phenomenon in its own right, but not one that contributes to the atmosphere of free-love and cooperative living).

Some people find this urban setting isn't in line with the Burning Man spirit, making Decompression more like an average SF party; for others, it’s an opportunity to participate in a microcosm of the event they wouldn’t have time to get to otherwise.

Still, there are overarching similarities between the two events, like the emphasis on volunteer efforts, the proliferation of experimental art projects, and the celebration of self-creation. There will be drinks, food, and a host of performances — of various musical, dancing and fire involvement.

The Decompression 2018 announcement also highlights Burners without Borders’ “Mobile Resource Unit,” a “refurbished shipping container” that has a lending library of power tools to help people at the event to create art and build desired structures. The “MRU” can also be easily shipped, according to its website to disaster relief zones, impoverished neighborhoods, or refugee camps.

It takes $20-25 pre-ordering, or $30 at the event to experience the Black Top City burn.

Emma Heath is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her with comments or questions at Emma.Heath@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @emmabheath.