There are dance music festivals, and then there is Tomorrowland. The Belgian spectacle has set new parameters for what’s possible, pairing truly groundbreaking stage production with heavyweight line-ups and magical themes for two bumper weekends every July. In 2024, the festival raised the bar once again, debuting its new ‘LIFE’ mainstage, which was christened by Swedish House Mafia with their first Tomorrowland set in 12 years. Improved infrastructure and accessibility across the site made for an even smoother fan experience, whilst the Tomorrowland Academy hosted sets from the youngest DJs in the festival’s history, with artists aged 9 to 17 years old taking to the stage. Tomorrowland might take place on Belgian soil but the festival is truly global in every other sense, welcoming attendees from over 200 countries — who can be spotted proudly flying their flags in the crowd — and platforming electronic artists from almost every corner of the planet. As a result, the festival’s atmosphere is uniquely international, nurturing the spirit of friendship, collaboration and unity above all else. This unmistakable balance of fan-first ethos with boundary-pushing innovation has made Tomorrowland one of the most talked about festivals in the world, and sells out in a matter of minutes each year. It comes as no surprise then that the festival has dominated DJ Mag’s Top 100 Festivals poll for almost half a decade. Tomorrowland first clinched the crown back in 2019, when the poll was voted for by DJs, before returning to No. 1 spot in 2022 following the shift to a public vote for the first time. Since then, the festival has topped the poll in both 2023 and 2024, with a record-breaking number of DJ Mag readers having their say. Now, in 2025, Tomorrowland retains its crowd for a whopping fifth time: a testament to the forward-thinking approach of the festival, the hard work of its team, and the passion of its fervent fanbase. Speaking about Tomorrowland being voted the World’s No. 1 Festival in the DJ Mag Top 100 Festivals 2025, Debby Wilmsen, Tomorrowland’s press relations and internal communications lead, shared: “This is something we work on year-round with a dedicated team of over 300 people — day and night — with great passion, energy, and love for what we do. Receiving recognition like this, especially when it comes directly from the heart of our community, the DJ Mag readers, is incredibly rewarding and deeply appreciated by everyone across the entire organisation.” Looking forward to this year’s event — which will take place across the weekends of 18th-20th July and 25th-27th July — Wilmsen continued: “In 2025, we’re putting a strong emphasis on technological innovation and ecological responsibility. One example is the introduction of RFID smart cups — a first in Belgium — enabling a fully circular reusable cup system. Our newly launched innovation hub, the Lab of Tomorrow, is also part of this forward-looking vision. “Our positive impact reaches beyond Belgium. In France and Brazil, we work hand in hand with local teams, authorities, and residents. In 2025, ecology and regional development will remain top priorities, as we continue striving to amplify Tomorrowland’s positive footprint around the world.” OLIVIA STOCK
