Tens of thousands of campers have descended on Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival as organisers scramble to find solutions after a devastating fire destroyed the event’s iconic main stage just two days before opening.
The fire erupted at approximately 6pm local time (4pm GMT) on Wednesday evening at the festival site in Boom, south of Antwerp, sending thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. No one was injured in the blaze, which saw the elaborate Orbyz main stage structure almost completely consumed by flames.
DreamVille campsite opened as planned on Thursday, with an estimated 38,000 festival-goers already arriving for the first weekend of what is billed as the world’s largest electronic dance music festival. The event, now in its 19th year, is scheduled to run across two weekends from 18-20 July and 25-27 July, with 400,000 attendees expected.
“It’s impossible to put into words what we’re feeling,” Tomorrowland organisers posted on Instagram. “The Orbyz Mainstage of Tomorrowland Belgium 2025, a creation born from pure passion, imagination, and dedication, is no more.”
Emergency Response and Evacuation
Fire services responded swiftly to the incident, with hundreds of firefighters working to prevent the flames from spreading to neighbouring woodland and residential areas. Nearly 1,000 staff members present at the site when the fire erupted on Wednesday afternoon were safely evacuated.
Videos circulating on social media showed fireworks exploding as the structure burned, though it remains unclear whether pyrotechnics triggered the blaze or were set off by the heat. Local police confirmed the fire in a post on X and encouraged people to stay away from the smoke and give way to emergency services.
Morgan Hermans, a Boom resident living near the festival grounds, described the terrifying moments as the fire broke out. “There was just a big cloud of fireworks and smoke very near us, so that was a bit scary,” she told CNN. “Everyone in Boom was a bit terrified for a few seconds.”
Festival Will Proceed Despite Setback
Despite the catastrophic damage to the main stage, festival organisers have confirmed Tomorrowland will go ahead as scheduled. All activities as part of Tomorrowland’s Global Journey travel packages in Brussels and Antwerp will also take place,” the statement confirmed.
Jurgen Callaerts, mayor of nearby Rumst, told local media that meetings were being held with safety experts and government officials to develop contingency plans. “Cancelling the festival completely is the last thing we want to do,” he stated.
The destroyed stage was a monumental structure, reportedly 45 m high and 160 m wide. It featured more than 2100 atmospheric elements like water fountains. One unnamed worker who had been putting finishing touches on the stage described the scene as “apocalyptic” to Het Nieuwsblad newspaper, lamenting: “Four weeks of work… gone in half an hour.”
Alternative Solutions Under Development
With 14 other stages available at the festival site, organisers are working round the clock to develop alternatives for the weekend’s performances. Debby Wilmsen, a Tomorrowland spokesperson, confirmed to VRT News that construction of the main stage had begun in May and acknowledged the tragedy whilst remaining optimistic.
“Everyone has worked tirelessly on the stage for years, so this is tragic for us. But we are determined to make it a wonderful festival,” Wilmsen stated, adding that the other stages offered “a great atmosphere and a good lineup scheduled.”
Industry sources suggest organisers are considering either a scaled-down redesign or repurposing one of the secondary stages as a temporary replacement – a massive logistical challenge with less than 48 hours until opening.
Star-Studded Lineup Remains Intact
The 2025 edition features one of Tomorrowland’s most impressive lineups to date, with over 600 artists scheduled to perform. The lineup for the 2025 event, the 19th edition of Tomorrowland, includes the who’s who of global dance music, with artists such as Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, Armin van Buuren, Charlotte de Witte, David Guetta, Hardwell, Nervo, John Summit, Fisher, Amelie Lens, Alok, Agents of Time, Miss Monique, The Blessed Madonna all on the bill.
Swedish House Mafia, the legendary trio comprising Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello, are amongst the headline acts, alongside techno heavyweights like Anyma and Indira Paganotto. The festival will also feature special performances including the Symphony of Unity orchestra playing dance classics.
Martin Garrix’s return after a two-year absence from Tomorrowland has been particularly anticipated by fans, with the Dutch DJ expected to deliver his signature high-energy performance despite the main stage setback.
Global Impact and Local Significance
Tomorrowland is held at De Schorre public recreational park in Boom, Belgium, about 16 km (9.9 mi) south of Antwerp and 32 km (20 mi) north of Brussels. The festival has become a cornerstone of the local economy and Belgium’s cultural calendar since its inception in 2005.
Boom (/boʊm/ BOHM, Dutch: [boːm] ⓘ) is a Belgian town, located in both the arrondissement and province of Antwerp. In 2021, Boom had a total population of 18,799. For this small town, hosting one of the world’s premier music festivals represents both enormous pride and significant economic benefit.
Hermans, the local resident, emphasised the festival’s importance to the community: “It’s one of the biggest events in the entire year. Our town is very small so to welcome people (from) around the entire world, it’s crazy and it’s so much fun. It’s a big deal.”
Investigation and Next Steps
Belgian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, with initial reports suggesting it may have originated from a technical fault or lighting rig malfunction. The extensive pyrotechnics typically used in Tomorrowland’s elaborate productions are also being examined as a potential factor.
At press time it remained unclear what had caused the fire to ignite, and whether the vast amounts of pyro utilized by Tomorrowland’s incredible production had anything to do with it.
As festival-goers continue to arrive from across the globe, the Tomorrowland team faces an unprecedented challenge in delivering the magical experience for which the festival is renowned. However, with their promise that “the magic will be just as strong,” organisers appear determined to overcome this setback.
The festival’s resilience in the face of adversity reflects the spirit of the electronic dance music community it serves. As one of the most influential events in the global EDM calendar, Tomorrowland’s ability to adapt and continue will be closely watched by the entire industry.
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