A major fire has broken out on the Tomorrowland festival grounds in Boom, just 24 hours before the official opening of DreamVille. The blaze has severely damaged the iconic Mainstage, sending dark plumes of smoke into the sky, visible from miles away.
Mainstage Severely Damaged, No Injuries Reported
According to official sources, the fire erupted early Wednesday afternoon. Emergency services responded swiftly and remain active on-site. While the cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed, the flames engulfed key parts of the Mainstage, casting uncertainty over what is traditionally the heart of the weekend.
In a statement, Tomorrowland organizers assured fans that no injuries occurred during the incident. “Due to a serious incident and fire on the Tomorrowland Mainstage, our beloved Mainstage has been severely damaged. We can confirm that no one was injured during the incident.”
Festival Will Continue—But Without Its Iconic Mainstage
While the full cause of the fire remains unknown, Tomorrowland has confirmed the unthinkable: the festival will proceed without its Mainstage. Speaking candidly, spokeswoman Debby Wilmsen made clear that no amount of creative vision can reverse what was lost.
“This is terrible news. That Mainstage is our showpiece, which was worked on for two years, and it’s gone,” she stated. “Fortunately, the other stages are intact.”
The announcement is both sobering and pragmatic. Despite being one of the most recognized stages in global music culture, the Mainstage will not be replaced in time. “We can’t do magic, so it will be without Mainstage,” Wilmsen admitted. “We will see what is possible in this area.”
This confirms that Tomorrowland 2025 will move forward, albeit in a radically altered form. All eyes now turn to the festival’s production team, which is tasked with pulling together a new focal point for the weekend—if not physically, then emotionally.
“Our production team will now do everything they can to make something very beautiful,” Wilmsen said, striking a hopeful tone amid the loss. She also reiterated that safety remains the top priority: “Our first concern was to ensure the safety of everyone here.”
Though the iconic structure is gone, Tomorrowland’s energy lives on. And with some of the world’s most creative stage designers and technical minds at work, a new version of Tomorrowland is already beginning to take shape—one forged from resilience rather than spectacle.
Lineup Intact: All Major Artists Still Set to Perform
While the destruction of the Mainstage forces a significant logistical pivot, Tomorrowland has confirmed that all major acts will still perform. The lineup, stacked with global headliners, remains untouched—though the stage assignments and set times may shift.
“We will have to change things,” said spokeswoman Debby Wilmsen in a statement to news agency ANP. “But the intention is that all the great artists will perform.”
This reassurance will come as a relief to ticket holders, many of whom planned their journeys around specific headline sets. With more than 800 acts scheduled across both weekends, the task now falls to Tomorrowland’s production team to reorganize stage configurations and schedules.
The team hopes to provide further clarity by Thursday, just hours before DreamVille opens its gates and the first official events begin. Wilmsen noted that while changes are inevitable, the core musical experience of Tomorrowland 2025 will not be lost.
Whether performances will shift to Freedom, Atmosphere, or other large-capacity stages remains to be seen. What’s certain is that Tomorrowland is working around the clock to reimagine the festival flow without compromising the music.
Even without its signature structure, the festival remains a magnet for the world’s top electronic talent—and fans can still expect memorable performances from every major artist on the bill.
Tomorrowland Fire: Weekend 2 Will Also Go On Without Mainstage
Despite the devastation, Tomorrowland organizers never considered cancelling either weekend of the festival. As thousands of fans make their way to Boom from around the world, the message remains firm: the show will go on—even without its most iconic stage.
Speaking to VTM, spokeswoman Debby Wilmsen confirmed that cancellation was “never an issue.” With most international attendees already en route, the team remains focused on adapting plans for both Weekend 1 and Weekend 2.
“It is impossible to rebuild the Mainstage quickly, also for the second weekend,” Wilmsen reiterated, dashing any hopes of a mid-festival miracle build. While some fans had speculated that the extra days between weekends might allow for a partial rebuild, organizers confirmed this is not logistically feasible.
The next few days will be crucial behind the scenes. Wilmsen noted that the fire brigade, local authorities, and Tomorrowland’s production teams will now conduct a full investigation into how the festival can proceed both practically and safely. Every structure, schedule, and safety plan is now being reviewed under tight time pressure.
“Safety is a priority,” she emphasized. “Nevertheless, we are going to make visitors feel good without the Mainstage.”
For many, the loss of the Mainstage changes the visual identity of Tomorrowland—but not its spirit. With dozens of other stages, immersive art installations, and a community of ravers from across the globe, the festival’s soul remains intact. Both weekends will still carry the magic—just with a different view.
Tomorrowland DreamVille Will Open As Planned Amidst Fire
Despite the damage, Tomorrowland organizers confirmed that DreamVille—the festival’s campsite—will open on schedule. Tens of thousands of campers are expected to arrive on Thursday, July 17. The usual pre-party festivities will go ahead as planned.
“We can announce that DreamVille will open tomorrow as planned and will be ready for all DreamVille visitors,” the statement reads.
Global Journey activities in Brussels and Antwerp will also proceed without disruption. These pre-festival events form a key part of the Tomorrowland travel experience.
Organizers Respond With Emotion and Resolve
The emotional weight of the disaster was evident in the first official reactions from Tomorrowland organizers, who called the incident “a serious blow.” Speaking to media, festival spokesperson Debby Wilmsen shared both the pain and determination behind the team’s response.
“It hurts a lot,” Wilmsen admitted. “I will certainly not look at those images. This is a work of years and of many. There is so much work involved, from drawing to the practical implementation. Really terrible.”
Despite the devastation, Wilmsen expressed relief that no injuries occurred, noting that “we did not have to evacuate anyone.” The team’s next priority is finding a safe and functional path forward for the weekend’s festivities.
“We have confidence in it,” she said. “Now we are going to look at how we can create a safe and fun festival.”
Tomorrowland’s Mainstage is not just a centerpiece—it represents months of concept development, engineering, and execution. With tens of thousands of attendees arriving Thursday and a global audience watching closely, the team is now focused on how to deliver an adapted but memorable edition of the festival.
Despite the circumstances, spirits remain high across the campsite and among organizers. The Tomorrowland community is known for its resilience. The next 24 hours will test that strength more than ever before.
Uncertainty Around Weekend Festival Setup
As of now, the main festival is still scheduled to begin on Friday, July 18, with programming through Sunday. Organizers emphasized their team is actively working on solutions to ensure the show goes on despite the loss of its centerpiece.
“We are focused on finding solutions for the festival weekend (Friday – Saturday – Sunday). More updates and detailed information will be communicated as soon as possible.”
Local authorities have urged people nearby to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke from the blaze.
A Landmark Stage Gets Support From Rave Community
The Tomorrowland Mainstage is one of the most technologically ambitious and visually spectacular stages in the world. Every year, it draws global attention for its elaborate storytelling, pyrotechnics, and immersive design. News of its destruction has sent shockwaves through the electronic music community.
While speculation grows about what the stage setup will now look like, the spirit of Tomorrowland—community, music, and creativity—remains alive. Fans and artists online have already begun showing support for the festival, hoping for safety and a brighter tomorrow.
Tomorrowland organizers are expected to release further information in the coming hours. More updates on their official channels.