A massive fire has destroyed the iconic main stage at Belgium's Tomorrowland festival just two days before the first weekend of the world-famous electronic music event was set to begin.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday 16 July at the festival site in Boom, a town north of Brussels. Belgian media shared dramatic footage showing thick black smoke rising from the site as flames consumed the elaborate main stage structure and spread to nearby woodland.
@cascada_official No words.....hope no one was hurt🙌 #tomorrowland #mainstage #burning #whatanightmare #sosad
♬ Danger - SoundAudio
No injuries have been reported, as the site was not yet open to the public. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed.
In a statement released via the official Tomorrowland website, organisers said: '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.'
Emergency Response and Safety Measures
Emergency crews quickly responded to contain the fire, while local police urged residents and workers in the area to keep windows closed to avoid exposure to smoke.
'People's safety is our top priority,' said Joris Van Camp, a spokesperson for the local police. 'We advise people experiencing odour nuisance to close their windows and doors and stay out of the smoke.'
Festival to Continue as Planned
Despite the damage, Tomorrowland organisers have confirmed that the festival will go ahead as scheduled. The first weekend is due to run from Friday 18 July to Sunday 20 July, with a second weekend planned from 25 to 27 July.
The DreamVille campsite is still set to open on Thursday 17 July, and pre-festival activities in Brussels and Antwerp are continuing.
'We are focused on finding solutions for the festival weekend,' organisers said. 'More updates and detailed information will be communicated as soon as possible.'
It remains uncertain whether a replacement main stage will be built in time, or if an alternative setup will be used. The extent of the damage has left fans anxiously awaiting further announcements.
A Major Loss for Festival Fans
Tomorrowland's main stage has long been the visual and emotional centrepiece of the festival, renowned for its elaborate design, cutting-edge technology and storytelling themes.
Each year, Tomorrowland attracts around 400,000 people over two weekends, turning the town of Boom into a global hotspot for electronic music. The destruction of the 2025 stage has drawn an outpouring of support online, with artists and fans alike sharing their shock and encouragement for the organisers.
Star-Studded Line-Up Still Scheduled
This year's festival, the 19th edition of Tomorrowland, boasts one of the biggest line-ups in its history. Headliners include:
Martin Garrix
Steve Aoki
David Guetta
Armin van Buuren
Charlotte de Witte
The Blessed Madonna
Dozens of other global acts are set to perform across multiple stages.
Despite the setback, organisers have expressed determination to deliver an unforgettable experience. As festivalgoers prepare to arrive, the focus now turns to how one of the world's most ambitious music events will adapt in the face of such a dramatic last-minute challenge.
