The History of Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland was built from the ground up, rooted in vision, nurtured by risk, and powered by a passion for uniting music lovers across the globe. Let’s dive into how a small Belgian event became the world's most iconic EDM festival.

Origins and Founding

The seeds of Tomorrowland were planted in 2004 by Belgian brothers Manu and Michiel Beers, who partnered with Dutch event powerhouse ID&T to develop something entirely new. 

Their ambition was to blend a high-quality electronic music lineup with rich visual storytelling and fantastical, fairy tale-like elements. At a time when most festivals focused purely on sound, the Beers brothers set out to create a full-fledged alternate universe, one where creativity ruled and reality blurred.

The First Tomorrowland Festival

In August 2005, the very first Tomorrowland opened its gates at De Schorre recreation area. It welcomed a modest crowd of 1,000 attendees, but its ambition was clear from the start.

Early headliners like Armin van Buuren and Technoboy lit up the modest stages. Even though the production was still evolving, the event made its mark with whimsical décor, costumed performers, and an otherworldly aesthetic. It was a beginning, but one that hinted at something much, much bigger.

Evolution Over the Years

As word spread and the EDM scene grew, so did Tomorrowland. By 2007, the festival had expanded to two days. Just one year later, it welcomed 50,000 people, and in 2009, attendance nearly doubled to 90,000. 

Themed stages, like 2009’s iconic “Masker” setup, began to emerge, showcasing the team’s increasing attention to storytelling and spectacle. The production became more daring, the branding stronger, and Tomorrowland’s mystique deeper with every edition.

Growth and Major Changes

The early 2010s marked a turning point. In 2010, attendance hit 180,000, and the festival began drawing attention from global media. In 2011, it became a three-day celebration, introducing the now-famous Tree of Life stage, a symbol of Tomorrowland’s mythological roots. In 2012, it took home its first International Dance Music Award for “Best Music Event.” 

As demand soared, the organizers took a bold step in 2014, adding a second weekend to accommodate international interest. In 2017, the two-weekend format brought 400,000 people from over 200 countries. The message was clear: Tomorrowland was already a global movement. 

Key Milestones and Events

Tomorrowland’s legacy has been built on moments that stopped time. In 2013, the “Arising of Life” theme took attendees into an ancient jungle realm, setting a new bar for environmental stage design. 

In 2020, when the world stood still due to the pandemic, Tomorrowland evolved, instead of disappearing. The team launched Tomorrowland Around the World, a digital festival that reached over 1 million fans with 3D stages and livestream performances. 

Then, in 2022, it came back stronger than ever, holding a historic three-weekend event that gathered 600,000 people and confirmed its position as the planet’s biggest dance music festival.

The Tomorrowland Experience

Imagine stepping into a living festival grounds maze filled with glowing castles, enchanted gardens, and epic stages that stretch beyond your imagination… This is the essence of Tomorrowland Belgium. 

Beyond the main festival, many visitors stay at DreamVille, Tomorrowland’s dedicated camping city. It’s a vibrant community where thousands of fans gather to live, connect, and celebrate together. 

Some aspects people love are its colorful marketplace, the daily pre-parties at The Gathering, the cozy tents, and luxurious lodges. DreamVille makes the experience feel like you’ve entered another world before you even reach the main stages.

What to Expect at Tomorrowland

From the moment you enter De Schorre in Boom, you’re part of a global festival masterpiece. Expect next-level production, surprise pop-up acts, and that thrill of being somewhere higher than a regular music festival.

The site is mapped like an interactive map, with the iconic Mainstage at the heart. Then traverse through winding paths that lead to genre-specific stages, whimsical corners like the Magical Troll Forest, and hidden Rave Cave space.

Daily Life and Activities

Days are a tapestry of sunrise yoga, art hunts, and world-class food vendors. Nights burst into neon euphoria under laser skies and booming bass. Families, couples, and solo travelers all find their rhythm here.

Stages range from the massive Mainstage to intimate Temples of Tomorrow, all hosting top-tier DJs from EDM, trance, and Bass to house. In 2013, tickets sold out in minutes, which was legendary for the event. 

Art Installations: Examples and Impact

Tomorrowland’s art goes beyond eye candy, it’s world-building in motion. You’ll discover immersive zones like the Magical Troll Forest, glowing labyrinths, kinetic sculptures, and floating gardens. 

These pieces invite interaction, spark wonder, and give every corner of the festival grounds its own fairytale energy.

Food and Drink Options: What’s Available

From Belgian fries to vegan sushi, Tomorrowland serves up a global festival menu that fuels you without killing your vibe. Expect street eats, curated dining zones, and even champagne bars. 

For those in DreamVille, daily breakfast options and fine-dining tents offer elevated bites between DJ sets. Hydration points are everywhere, because dancing is cardio.

Music at Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland Belgium is renowned as the best music event on the entire planet, and with good reason. Here's what sets the sound apart.

Genres and Artists Featured

Expect an eclectic mix: trance legends like Armin van Buuren, house heroes, techno innovators, and festival EDM icons like Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. The Tomorrowland Brasil edition echoes the same sonic diversity.

Stages span everything from progressive trance to deep tech and bass, each taste has a home under the lasers. Festivals fans from São Paulo to Tomorrowland Winter hunt down these sounds globally.

Notable Performances and Headliners

Past headliners include David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, and unforgettable sets by Nicky Romero and Four Tet. The mainstage moments are ritualistic, like family reunions with everyone waving flags.

Highlights feature Armin van Buuren ushering sunrise crowds, surprise back-to-back sets in hidden temples, and the opening (first edition) of the festival. Each year, it's a fresh chapter of magic.

Art and Installations at Tomorrowland

You don’t just hear Tomorrowland, you see, feel, and even activate its art. At its heart, Tomorrowland is as much a fantasy theme park as it is a music festival.

The Role of Art at the Festival

Tomorrowland’s art goes beyond eye candy, it’s world-building in motion. You’ll discover immersive zones like the Magical Troll Forest, glowing labyrinths, kinetic sculptures, and floating gardens.

In 2018, The Story of Planaxis towered above the grounds, an enormous, multi-layered stage centerpiece with giant moving parts that felt pulled straight from a surreal dreamscape. 

In 2019, the Book of Wisdom mainstage returned, crowned with massive storybook pages and animated characters that seemed to watch the crowd.

These pieces invite interaction, spark wonder, and give every corner of the festival its own fairytale energy.

Iconic Art Installations

We all remember the mystical Magical Troll Forest (where glowing tree creatures and hidden lanterns lit up the pathways). And we all loved the towering Organ of Harmony stage sculpture in 2018. One thing is certain - Tomorrowland’s art evolves with each theme. 

Other standouts include the Book of Wisdom mainstage, first unveiled in 2012 and reimagined in 2019. Another one is the Garden of Madness bridges lined with thousands of real flowers. 

Every edition, from the first edition to the third edition and beyond, introduces monumental pieces that turn the grounds into a living fairytale.

How to Participate in Art Projects

Tomorrowland also invites attendees to co-create. You can leave a message of hope on the Global Journey Unity Tree, contribute to collaborative mosaics and murals at DreamVille, or join daily creative workshops at the Tomorrowland Foundation zones. 

Participation is simple, look for marked areas on the festival map or check the app’s daily schedule. Whether you’re painting tiles, writing wishes, or decorating collective sculptures, these small acts let you leave your mark and help build art that belongs to the entire world.

Tomorrowland Themes and Stages

Every year, Tomorrowland debuts with a brand-new narrative, turning the festival grounds into a living story. These unique themes for each year are more than motifs; they shape every stage, corner, and gathering space.

Highlight of Past Themes

Here are some highlights of the past Tomorrowland themes:

• In 2016’s Elixir of Life, DreamVille and the mainstage swirled with ancient potions, golden forests, and mythical fountains.
  
• The Book of Wisdom (2014) turned De Schorre into a colossal library, with pages, bookcases, and bookish pathways.
  
• The Story of Planaxis (2018) submerged the site into an underwater kingdom, complete with coral-like structures.
  
• 2022’s Reflection of Love focused on emotions, unity, and mirrored installations revealing inner beauty.
  
• 2023’s Adscendo invited us to climb to new horizons in a celestial egg-shaped realm.
  

2024’s theme was all about “LIFE”, taking the People of Tomorrow back to a vibrant era in Silvyra, a world of lush nature, when the conjunction of the two moons is about to happen.

These themes drive the stage design: from grandiose mainstages to tucked-away Rave Cave zones. Even Tomorrowland Brasil and Tomorrowland Winter echo this concept, creating their own magical universes shaped by the theme. 

Looking ahead to the 2025 weekend, buzz is already building around a new fantastical world, although the official theme and ticket sales are still pending.

Fashion at Tomorrowland

Your Tomorrowland outfit is part of the story you’re stepping into. This is a global festival where fashion is theatrical, symbolic, and above all, expressive. 

Every look you create becomes a tribute to fantasy, music, and freedom. Whether you’re exploring the festival grounds by day or lighting up the main stage crowd by night, your fit should feel like Tomorrow.

Popular Styles and Looks

Start with wings. Seriously. Fairy wings, dragon silhouettes, metallic butterfly forms, these are must-have statements that elevate any bodysuit or one-piece base. 

The BADINKA Wings Collection brings otherworldly energy to your rave armor. Pair them with iridescent makeup or neon duster coats for visual flight.

For nighttime mystique, go dark and dangerous. This collection brings bold fits that combine mesh, gloss, and cyber-punk tension.

Think sheer long sleeves, UV details, or sculpted silhouettes. These are pieces that glow under strobes and own the night.

Feeling the need for mystery and drama? Hooded designs are a Tomorrowland classic. Our genderless hooded tops, tunics, and longline dusters balance utility with aesthetic, ideal for layering when the air cools and the music festival vibes intensify.

Pieces like the Spilled In Vain Mesh Duster or the Vertigo Hooded Dress add motion, mood, and that edge of mysticism.

Tips for Creating Your Own Festival Outfit

Create your fantasy. Choose pieces that reflect your story. 

And here are some tips:

• Layer strategically - Mix sheer fabrics with structured pieces. Add a hooded tunic over a strappy top to shift from day heat to night chills.
  
• Balance drama and comfort - Use standout wings or duster coats as your highlight, and keep your base breathable.
  
• Play with contrast - Pair all-black hoods with color-bomb face gems, or a gothic mesh dress with glowing wings.
  
• Accessorize smart - Kaleidoscope goggles, body chains, and leg harnesses take a look from cute to cinematic.

And remember, Tomorrowland is about being the wildest, freest, most you version of yourself.

Preparing for Tomorrowland

Getting ready for Tomorrowland is about crafting your global journey package into a legendary experience. Here’s how to prep like a pro.

Essential Items to Bring

Keep the list with you, as these are the essential items to bring:

• Comfortable sneakers (you’ll spend hours walking on gravel and grass).
• Hydration pack, reusable bottle, and sunscreen, summer in Boom means sun, sun, sun.
• Rainbow flag or festival flag to mark your campsite in DreamVille.
• Light jacket or hoodie for night, plus rain poncho in case the weather surprises you.
• Gadgets and accessories: phone charger, totem stick, sunglasses, and LED jewelry for evening magic.

Of course, you can bring many other things, but always keep the essentials close. 

Tips for First-Time Attendees

DreamVille camping ranges from basic tents to VIP bungalows. Global Journey packages often include DreamVille fees, ensuring seamless arrival. Consider a DreamVille DreamBreak for added luxury.

Plan outfits around the theme, swapping layers between night and day. If you’re attending Tomorrowland Winter in Alpe d’Huez, be ready with ski gear and snow-proof boots. 

And here are some pro tips for first-time attendees:

• Study the Tomorrowland festival map and app before your first day, highlight stages, chill zones, and meeting points.
• Use the “Radiate” app or join the Tomorrowland Foundation gatherings to connect with fellow fans.
• Arrive early: gates open midday; mornings hold hidden moments in the woods.
• Reserve your spot: stage frontliners fill fast, especially on day one when energy peaks.

Prepare for epic surprise sets, DJ drops, and worldwide artist collabs, you may stumble into an Armin van Buuren sunrise or a Dimitri Vegas like Mike B2B. Come ready to celebrate, connect, and feel the pulse of global unity.

Community and Culture

From the first day you step in, Tomorrowland feels like home. It’s a weekend of strangers becoming fast friends, thanks to shared rituals like totem gatherings, group chants, and the iconic “Wave Your Flag” moment at mainstage crescendo. 

The festival brings together people across all walks of life, an authentic global gathering where language barriers dissolve in dance.

More than a festival site, Tomorrowland is cultural currency. Through spin-offs like Tomorrowland Brasil, Tomorrowland Winter, and Around the World live-streams, the event creates connections that stretch across continents. Its Global Journey packages turn attendance into curated travel experiences. 

The Tomorrowland Foundation mirrors this by funding arts education and sustainability projects, showing that Tomorrowland is more than fun, it’s purpose, life, and legacy.

Upcoming Events for 2025

This year, Tomorrowland isn’t just staying in Boom. The magic expands across continents with three major editions:

• Tomorrowland Brasil (October 10–12, 2025, São Paulo)
• The immersive Unity at Sphere experience (selected weekends: August 29-31, September 19-20, September 26-27 and October 17-18, 2025, LA)
• The epic Atmosphere event (November 14, Antwerp). 

Tomorrowland Brasil will bring back the legendary The Elixir of Life theme, first seen in Belgium in 2016. Tomorrowland Los Angeles will host the theme Orbyz, which will transport festival-goers to a magical universe made of ice. The event in Antwerp will celebrate The Atmosphere, with focus on hard techno and raw energy experience. 

Expect breathtaking stages, global energy, and all the signature wonder Tomorrowland is loved for, plus snow-capped vibes ahead at Tomorrowland Winter 2026.

Finally, Tomorrowland is a marathon, not a sprint, so post-festival recovery is key. Rehydrate, get solid rest, and ease back into your routine. Watch for post-rave blues (they’re real), and connect with the community if needed. 

Your mind and body danced hard, now give them the care they deserve.

Final Words

At Tomorrowland, the music is only half the magic. The other half? It’s the crowd, you, your outfit, your energy. 

This is where global journey packages meet glitter, basslines meet fantasy, and fashion becomes ritual. Whether you're donning cosmic wings, channeling your inner shadow goddess, or layering mesh and hooded glam from head to toe, your look is your anthem.

Take inspiration from BADINKA’s otherworldly collections, but make it yours. Your outfit should tell a story before you even say a word. And once you're inside that Secret Kingdom, under the summer sky in Boom, surrounded by the best crowd in the entire world, you’ll realize, every detail you chose helped you arrive here.

So dream big. Dress bold. And dance like your look just changed the future.