Tomorrowland Still Set to Rock Despite Spectacular Main Stage Blaze

Boom, Belgium – On the evening of July 16, 2025, a large blaze erupted at the iconic “Orbyz” main stage at Tomorrowland’s site in Boom, Belgium. The inferno, which unfolded just 48 hours before the festival’s scheduled opening on July 18–20, completely engulfed the stage structure, sending thick black smoke visible from as far as Brussels—around 25 km away. Fortunately, no injuries were reported; nearly 1,000 staff members on site at the time evacuated safely, and no festivalgoers were present.

What triggered the fire?

Although the precise cause remains uncertain, multiple sources report that the incident may have begun during a fireworks cannon test as part of stage preparations. Fire officials have expressed concerns about the rapid spread of flames—likely accelerated by flammable stage materials—and investigators are exploring theories including accidental ignition linked to pyrotechnics . Antwerp prosecutors have launched an inquiry, classifying the incident as suspected unintentional arson.

Organizers confirm the festival WILL go ahead

In an immediate statement, festival spokesperson Debby Wilmsen (sometimes spelled Willemsen) reassured the public and performers: the festival WILL proceed, despite the complete loss of the main stage. She emphasized that “cancellation was never considered” and that safety remains the top priority.

DreamVille, Tomorrowland’s on-site campsite, opened as planned on July 17, welcoming approximately 38,000 camping guests. Meanwhile, Global Journey events in Brussels and Antwerp—premiere pre-festival gatherings—are continuing without disruption.

What about performances?

With the “Orbyz” Main Stage gone, artists will be reassigned across the festival’s remaining 15+ stages, including the prominent Freedom Stage. Headliners such as David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Charlotte de Witte, Fisher, and Swedish House Mafia are still confirmed, though precise scheduling is being finalized.

Wilmsen explained that while production teams are “working on possible solutions,” it’s too early to confirm alternatives for the main stage area. Still, attendees can expect a full festival experience—just spread over a different configuration.

Local and community response

Around hundreds of firefighters responded swiftly, containing the blaze and protecting adjacent woodland and nearby houses. Residents were temporarily kept indoors as smoke filled the air, with one evacuated home suffering secondary damage from the fireline . Local authorities assured the public that the venue will be extensively inspected to guarantee safety for campers and festivalgoers .

Tomorrowland’s resilience

This is not Tomorrowland’s first brush with fire. In July 2017, a blaze at its Barcelona Unite event led to an evacuation of over 22,000 attendees during Steve Aoki’s scheduled set. Though impactful, that incident did not halt the festival, illustrating the event’s ability to rebound under pressure.

Since launching in 2005, Tomorrowland has grown into one of the world’s preeminent electronic music festivals. Drawing 400,000 attendees across two weekends, it features more than 600 DJs across 16 stages and hosts pre-festival hubs in cities like Brussels. The festival has earned global acclaim for its immersive stage designs, elaborate thematic storytelling, and Parisian-care production scales.

What comes next?

Today (July 17): Festival staff and engineers are focusing on safety assessments and reconfiguring stage layouts. The DreamVille campsite remains open and welcoming as planned.
Tomorrow (July 18): The festival’s first official day will begin without the main stage. Organizers promise “creative alternatives” and a warm welcome for all attendees.
Through the season (July 18–20 & 25–27): Artists will perform across the remaining stages, and the global electronic music community is rallying behind the event. Supportive messages from Martin Garrix, Afrojack, and Alok emphasize unity and resilience.

Final thoughts

Despite the traumatic loss of its main stage, Tomorrowland stands ready to continue. The fire has galvanized organizers, staff, and the music community, proving the festival’s spirit extends far beyond any single centerpiece. With meticulous planning, safety-first evaluations, and countless stages still operating, the world’s greatest electronic music celebration will beat on—redefined but undeterred.

Let the music play.