Is Tomorrowland Cancelled? Shock as Massive Fire Engulfs Main Stage Just Days Before Festival

Just two days before gates were set to open, Tomorrowland's iconic main stage went up in flames in Boom, Belgium, casting a cloud of uncertainty over the start of the world-renowned electronic music festival.

The fire broke out on the evening of Wednesday 16 July during final construction. No injuries were reported.

Despite extensive damage to the festival's centrepiece, organisers have confirmed that Tomorrowland 2025 will go ahead as planned. Both weekends are still scheduled, although some main stage performances are being reassessed. The DreamVille campsite opened as scheduled on Thursday.

Fire Guts Tomorrowland's Orbyz-Themed Main Stage

The blaze was reported shortly after 6:00pm local time. Video footage shared across social media showed flames engulfing the elaborate Orbyz-themed structure, which had taken over 50 days to build.

Strong evening winds may have accelerated the fire's spread, destroying towering props, LED screens and high-tech audio equipment.

Firefighters arrived quickly and were able to contain the blaze, preventing further damage to nearby facilities. Black smoke billowed over the Boom skyline, prompting local officials to urge residents to keep windows and doors closed until conditions cleared.

Authorities in Antwerp have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. While no official explanation has been given, early reports suggest it may have been triggered during pyrotechnic testing.

What's Lost and What's Still Standing?

The Orbyz stage, designed as the visual and thematic centre of Tomorrowland 2025, was completely destroyed. The design featured a mythical frozen world powered by crystal energy and was set to be one of the most ambitious stage productions in the festival's history.

However, the festival's remaining 15 stages remain intact. Technical teams are now working around the clock to reassign resources and equipment, with lighting and sound systems being redirected to support relocated performances.

Headliners Affected by the Blaze

Tomorrowland 2025 is expected to welcome more than 400,000 fans over two weekends. Several headline acts, including Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, and Amelie Lens, were scheduled to perform on the main stage. Organisers are now exploring alternative stage assignments and adjusted time slots to keep the line-up intact.

Around 1,000 crew members were on-site when the fire began. All were safely evacuated, and many returned the following morning to help shift equipment and rework the infrastructure.

Reassurance and Resilience

In a statement issued late Wednesday, organisers said: 'No one was harmed. DreamVille will open tomorrow. All shows will go on. We're working non-stop to make sure this edition remains magical for everyone.'

The quick response helped ease growing concerns. Social media was soon flooded with supportive messages from fans and performers. DJs including Meduza, Vini Vici and Charlotte de Witte praised the emergency response and vowed to keep the energy alive. "We'll still dance," de Witte posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Local media outlets praised the coordination between fire services, production teams and municipal staff. Clean-up began overnight, and updated site maps are expected ahead of Friday's opening.

What's Next for Tomorrowland 2025?

Final rehearsals are now being relocated and performance schedules adjusted. Additional lighting rigs arrived overnight to support temporary stage setups. Meanwhile, Global Journey events in Brussels and Antwerp, along with airport transfers, merchandise booths and food vendors, remain unaffected.

While the fire dealt a significant blow to Tomorrowland's legendary production scale, organisers and artists remain focused on delivering an unforgettable experience. For the thousands preparing to arrive in Boom this weekend, the message is clear: the music will go on