Tomorrowland 2025 Main Stage Destroyed by Fire, Festival Still Moving Forward

A fire has destroyed the main stage of Belgium’s Tomorrowland music festival, just two days before opening weekend. The blaze broke out around 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday, July 16, in the town of Boom, north of Brussels.

Although the fire engulfed the stage and set off fireworks, no injuries were reported, as the grounds were not yet open to attendees. Festival organizers confirmed the incident on their website and emphasized that safety remains the top priority.

The Stage Was the Show

Tomorrowland’s main stage isn’t just a structure—it’s a massive centerpiece built over two years with elaborate storytelling, design, and music production. It’s also where the biggest acts—including Martin Garrix, Swedish House Mafia, and David Guetta—were scheduled to perform.

Eyewitness video showed thick black smoke and bursts of fireworks as the structure burned. Firefighters spent two to three hours extinguishing the flames. The cause remains unknown, though Belgian authorities have launched an investigation.

@metrouk A huge fire has completely destroyed the main stage at Tomorrowland festival, just two days before it was set to start. Nearly three-quarters of the stage is said to have been burned down. Around 400,000 ravers from across the globe are expected to attend the festival, it's currently unclear whether it will go ahead. #tomorrowland #fire #breaking #dancemusic original sound – Metro

Canadian Group Still Attending: “It’s Still the Greatest Festival”

For six friends from Nunavut and Ontario, the fire was a major shock—but not a deal-breaker. Speaking from Amsterdam, Adam Akpik and his friends shared their disappointment, but also their determination to continue their trip.

“You know, the main stage is the show, and it’s gone,” Akpik said. “But even without it, this is still the greatest festival in the world.”

The group had planned their trip for months, traveling through Iqaluit, Ottawa, Montreal, and Amsterdam to reach Belgium.

**Photo via Chloe Norris (submitted)** – From left: Davidee Nowyook, Andrea Ferguson, Kevin Corriveau, Adam Akpik, Holly Ferguson, and Chloe Norris, who all traveled from Canada to attend the Tomorrowland festival in Belgium.

Festival Will Go On—with Changes

According to Tomorrowland’s longtime spokeswoman Debby Wilmsen, the festival will proceed as scheduled on Friday, July 18. While the main stage won’t be used this weekend or during the second weekend (July 25–27), organizers are now working around the clock to adjust plans and stages to ensure fans still enjoy the experience.

“All the big artists will still perform,” Wilmsen said during a press conference. “We’ll have to make some changes, but our production team is working to make something beautiful out of it.”

DreamVille and Global Journey Still a Go

Despite the setback, DreamVille, Tomorrowland’s dedicated camping village, opened Thursday as planned. Other Global Journey activities in Brussels and Antwerp are also moving forward.

For fans like Holly and Andrea Ferguson, the fire may have changed the visuals—but not the spirit.

“It’s just a weekend that celebrates peace and unity,” said Holly. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from. Everyone comes together.”

Looking Ahead

Tomorrowland typically welcomes 400,000 attendees over two weekends and is widely known for its unparalleled production and stage design. While this year’s loss is significant, fans and organizers remain committed to making the best of what’s left—and continuing the celebration of global dance music.

As of now, no refunds have been officially announced, though some ticket holders have begun asking for them online.

What do you think—should Tomorrowland offer refunds or is the festival still worth the hype without its iconic main stage?

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