Tomorrowland successfully opened at 14:00 while still constructing its new main stage, the festival organisers announced on Friday around noon. The festival was in full swing with a new main stage by 16:15.
The festival has begun less than 48 hours after a huge fire destroyed the main stage, the event's showpiece, prompting the festival to go ahead in a slightly altered format.
As the festival site opened doors, the work was still in progress to set up this stage. Curious visitors were kept at a safe distance for safety reasons.
"We are ready," stated the official communication, confirming circulating rumours. “Our teams have worked tirelessly to make the impossible possible: Tomorrowland Belgium 2025 will open at 14:00.”
The alternative main stage was due to open to the public from 16:00, subject to last-minute changes, according to the organisers. However, performances on the other stages started at 14:00 as scheduled.
Festival spokesperson Debby Wilmsen explained that the alternative main stage is a project they’ve invested significant effort into.
Construction of the new main stage at Tomorrowland electronic music festival, Friday 18 July 2025, in Boom. Credit: Belga
"It’s a new concept with many visuals, creating a more intimate connection between artists and the audience." However, no fireworks can be launched from this new stage, which will remain for the event’s second weekend from 25-27 July.
Wilmsen also highlighted that safety checks have been conducted by firefighters and police.
On Thursday, organisers considered two scenarios. The first involved installing a new main stage, allowing all festivalgoers to enjoy the festival fully, which has ultimately been realised.
The second option, if time was insufficient for installing a new stage, involved hosting artists on the Dreamville campsite stage, where staying festivalgoers would be confined.
Hundreds of people worked tirelessly to dismantle most of the original stage, which suffered fire damage on Wednesday, and to construct a new, smaller stage. "It was a race against time," the organisers stated.
Show goes on
The first beats on the main stage were heard at 16:00, a quarter of an hour later than planned, festivalgoers, many of whom were in colourful outfits, had already gathered at the amphitheatre-style grassy area to satisfy their curiosity and eagerness to party.
They first cheered on the staff who were still finishing up the stage preparations. Afterwards, they witnessed Belgian DJs Odymel and Pegassi open the event with a 'back to back' set that featured a mix of eurodance, trance, techno, and house.
Construction of the new main stage at Tomorrowland electronic music festival, Friday 18 July 2025, in Boom. Credit: Belga
Traditionally, the main stage is Tomorrowland's showpiece. However, following Wednesday evening's fire, the organisers raced against time to construct a smaller and less spectacular version of the original stage.
The initially planned main stage was 160 metres wide and 45 metres tall. The alternative stage is noticeably smaller. It features a large screen as the backdrop, capable of enhancing the DJ sets with visual effects. Part of the charred frame of the initial main stage remains visible behind the new setup.
DJ sets at Tomorrowland's main stage will continue until just before 01:00 tonight, with Dutch DJ Martin Garrix set to conclude the first evening of the event.
