In a devastating blow to the electronic music world, the iconic mainstage at Tomorrowland was almost entirely destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening, just one day before the festival’s scheduled opening weekend.
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The blaze broke out on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the festival grounds in Boom, Belgium, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and prompting a massive emergency response. Videos circulating on social media showed flames consuming the elaborate “Orbyz” themed mainstage structure, which had been meticulously prepared for the festival’s weekend celebrations.
No Injuries Reported
In an official statement released on their website and social media channels, Tomorrowland organizers confirmed the devastating news while providing crucial reassurance about safety.
“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.”
Local publication GVA reports that “emergency services are on the scene in large numbers” and residents in the area were advised to keep windows and doors closed due to the smoke. Around 1,000 employees are reported to have been working at the festival site at the time of the incident.
DreamVille Campsite to opens as Planned
Despite the catastrophic damage to the main performance area, festival organizers have confirmed that the DreamVille campsite will proceed with its scheduled opening. “We can announce that, DreamVille (campsite) will open tomorrow (Thursday, July 17) as planned and will be ready for” festival-goers who have been eagerly awaiting the event. The decision to maintain the camping schedule suggests that organizers are working to salvage what they can of the festival experience while dealing with the unprecedented crisis.
Cause Under Investigation
Festival sources say the cause of the fire, which broke out on Wednesday evening, is still unclear. The timing of the incident is particularly devastating, occurring just hours before thousands of electronic music fans were set to arrive for what has become one of the world’s most celebrated dance music festivals.
The elaborate mainstage is traditionally the centerpiece of Tomorrowland’s experience, featuring intricate designs and cutting-edge production elements that have made it a pilgrimage site for electronic music enthusiasts worldwide. The fire appears to have burnt the stage down almost completely.
Festival’s 2025 Future Uncertain
While organizers have not yet announced specific plans for how the festival will proceed without its signature mainstage, the decision to open the campsite suggests they are exploring options to continue with the event in some capacity. Tomorrowland currently hosts two consecutive weekends of performances, with the first weekend scheduled to begin this Friday and Saturday.
The festival, which has been running since 2005, has become synonymous with elaborate stage designs and immersive experiences that transport attendees into fantastical electronic music worlds. The loss of the mainstage represents not just a logistical challenge but the destruction of months of artistic and technical preparation.
As the situation continues to develop, festival-goers and the electronic music community worldwide await news of how organizers plan to navigate this unprecedented crisis while ensuring the safety and experience of the hundreds of thousands of attendees expected for both weekend sessions.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
