Just days before one of the world’s largest electronic music festivals was set to begin, a devastating fire erupted at Tomorrowland in Boom, Belgium, completely destroying its iconic Orbyz Mainstage. The blaze broke out on the evening of Wednesday, July 16, sending massive plumes of black smoke into the sky and triggering fireworks embedded within the stage’s design.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though the cause of the fire remains unknown. Local authorities, including the Antwerp prosecutors, have launched an investigation but have indicated the fire appears to have been accidental. According to Brandweerzone Rivierenland, the fire was under control by 9:00 PM local time after firefighters battled the flames for several hours and remained overnight to monitor flare-ups.
In a heartbreaking message on its website, festival organizers mourned the loss:
“The Orbyz Mainstage of Tomorrowland Belgium 2025, a creation born from pure passion, imagination, and dedication, is no more. It’s impossible to put into words what we’re feeling.”
This year’s theme, Orbyz, was envisioned as “a magical universe made entirely out of ice.” The stage was the result of months of conceptual design, engineering, artistic collaboration, and construction. Just a day before the fire, crews were applying final touches to the elaborate setup, described by one on-site worker as “an apocalyptic scene” once the flames took hold.
Despite the loss of the main stage, Tomorrowland 2025 will continue as planned over the next two weekends, with the festival confirming that no other stages or areas were impacted. Organizers said they are focused on “finding solutions for the festival weekend,” and reassured attendees that the beloved DreamVille campsite opened Thursday morning as scheduled.
Still, spirits remain high. A staggering 400,000 people from more than 200 countries are expected to attend this year’s edition, which features performances from global heavyweights including David Guetta, Charlotte de Witte, Lost Frequencies, Swedish House Mafia, and Armin van Buuren.
Held annually in Boom, south of Antwerp, Tomorrowland has grown into an internationally recognized institution since its founding by two Belgian brothers in 2005. While the destruction of the main stage is an unprecedented setback, the community’s resilience and the organizers’ commitment ensure that the show will go on—albeit in a slightly different form.
More updates regarding stage replacements and show logistics are expected in the coming days via Tomorrowland’s official website and social media channels.