Tomorrowland Today 2026 | Saturday

MUSICAL DESTINATIONS

Now that Tomorrowland is in full swing, the realisation sinks in: you can’t be everywhere at the same time, so you might as well drop your FOMO. There are so many sets to choose from and just in case you hadn’t made up your mind yet, here are some undisputable highlights. Take Bedouin, a duo out of Miami known for their fusion of electronic music and global rhythms. If techno in all its diversity is your thing, make sure to go and see Indira Paganotto and Reinier Zonneveld at Atmosphere. Check out Boris Brejcha and Armin van Buuren if you love all things melodic and end with David Guetta at the Mainstage to go out with a bang!

PEOPLE OF TOMORROW,

A NEW WORLD IS YOURS!

So – how does it feel, indeed? What went through you as you dove headfirst into the maelstrom, friends?

A whirlwind of energy made its irresistible way across the Holy Grounds as you got your first glimpse of the Mainstage and issued forth across Tomorrowland from there. A new world opened itself to you, with Consciencia welcoming you under the watchful eye of the six emotions, and the Grand Visage ruling over all. You danced and twirled to the farthest reaches of the grounds, finding Freedom, taking in the Great Library, immersing yourself in the Atmosphere; you settled into the rhythm of a festival day, moving from peaks of Desire, from flashes of Anger, to the contemplation of Sadness and the experience of quiet Joy as you sat down to take a breath and reconnect with friends over honest conversation. Take that rhythm back up now, friends, as another day welcomes you with open arms. You’ve mapped the terrain of your inner world – now comes the chance to truly explore it, as you find yourself confronted with many more emotions over another day of magic. What story will you write with them? The choice is up to you.

Keep your eyes peeled, because not every magical creature at Tomorrowland is listed on the timetable. From mischievous elves and flamboyant performers to roaming dancers and delightfully bizarre characters, the Creatures of Tomorrow are everywhere. Blink once, and you’ll swear they were never there in the first place. WAKE UP, WORK OUT

Sweat, baby, sweat! Wake up, get up and work out at the Gathering stage at 10:00 for an adrenalising cardio session with none other than Anna Engelschall, aka Youtuber growningannanas. No need to bring anything but your own fantastic body!

You feel it in a flash, you hear it echoing in the dark corners of the Atmosphere, the Cage. Clouds gather and thunder resounds; red and black hues flow into the corners of your vision; and you feel an iron fist clench up in your chest. It’s time to let it out, now: the frustration with staying up too late yesterday, with line-up clashes, with all the great injustices of the normal world. Give it words, a name. Put your foot down, stand for what you feel inside. And waste no time translating that energy to your body. What you must do is move: kick your feet to the beat, pump your fists to the bassline, feel your heart pump wildly as you convulse with fury. Crack across the Holy Grounds like a whip, scorching the very earth you stand on. Destruction is a creative force, after all… Time to move through it, and show everyone what it means to channel righteous anger.

Such incredible richness – aren’t you the luckiest person in the world? To have all these people dear to you so close, tens of thousands of People of Tomorrow moving in unison with you? Turn your attention to your heart, where you’ve carved out a space for all of them, alongside your family, your friends, your lovers. Feel the solid foundation that it offers, feel it assuage the pulse of Anger, heal the cracks of Sadness – this deep force, welling up inside and warmly flowing out of you to all around. Today is the day to nurture it more than ever. Pay attention to it, and let it grow. Hold hands, give hugs; talk about all those other difficult feelings, and notice how locked eyes, kind words, and a caring touch will ultimately mend them all. Think of the faces of your dear ones, today, as you raise your hands in the dance and know, in every fibre of your being, that this is what you were born to do: Love Tomorrow.

“I wanna live it all. The highs and the lows Wherever it goes, oh. I wanna live it all Gonna follow the road. Wherever it goes”

Lost Frequencies - ‘Live It All’

4 - 7

DREAMVILLE

Wake up to another day in paradise!

9 & 24

DAILY WISDOM

The latest news from the greatest festival.

BE SAFE, BE RESPONSIBLE

In accordance with Belgian law, a strict zero-tolerance policy towards illegal drugs is in place at Tomorrowland. Anyone caught with illegal substances will be removed from the festival grounds. Be responsible: use the amnesty bins provided at the entrance and party safely!

12 - 13

NICKY ROMERO

Takes un on an emotional journey...

14 - 15

PAINTING FEELINGS

A collective artwork emerges.

19

FASHION MUST-HAVES

Check out the hottest items!

25 - 31

FOCUS ON THE MUSIC

Chocolate Puma, Illenium, the timetable and artist bios await.

A NOTE FROM THE DESK

A paper like this never appears from just one pair of hands, even if it sometimes lands in yours before the morning espresso has even kicked in. A massive thank you to the writers, designers, photographers, editors, producers and early risers who help Tomorrowland Today find its way across the grounds each day!

dreamville

between snooze and spark

DreamVille after The Gathering is a city of two speeds, both of them smiling. While half its residents are still horizontal, yesterday’s glitter cemented to cheekbones, the other half is running around busily, and tunes start rolling across the fields. On a random corner somewhere, a beer pong table is already surrounded before anyone’s had a second coffee. The Bakery queue stretches long and moves slowly; the karaoke speakers down the road scream loudly and the singers shine radiantly. Burnt faces shuffle toward the sunscreen stand – lesson learned. Right beside them, others leaf through their Tomorrowland Today, debating first sets and already racing ahead to nightfall. Overhead, a gentle cloud cover has rolled in: a little act of mercy after yesterday’s scorching sun. The forecast is kind: 100% chance of Wonder across this year’s Holy Grounds. The gates haven’t opened yet, but none of that matters. Tomorrowland’s Friday has already started, and whether fast or slow, DreamVille is finding its feet.

Tijmen and Rick started their morning with a fresh new copy of the Tomorrowland Today newspaper. After a 2 a.m. rescue mission to keep the wind from blowing away their tent, they’re taking things easy today. Luckily, the weekend has only just begun.

Who says breakfast has to be traditional? For Lydia and Matthias from Switzerland, a plate of pasta with a classic Belgian meat croquette is the perfect way to start the day. At

anything is possible!

the greatest show on dreamville

Daily at 11:00, the Arena comes alive with something you won’t find on any stage lineup. Tucked away in the Chill Out Area, this gem brings a roving parade of circus acts, burlesque performers and a live brass band. The spectacle then winds its way through DreamVille, catching questioning looks and broad smiles along the route. And once the Holy Grounds go quiet, more Arena surprises await after dark, on Friday & Saturday from 01:30-02:30, and Sunday from 00:30-1:30.

The clock strikes 11, and Arno and Maxime from Belgium know just what time it is.

starts with a good beer,”

day at DreamVille.

A little luxury goes a long way, that’s exactly what Jimmy and Simon from Switzerland thought. After a long day travelling and setting up their tent they are treating themselves to a massage. It’s the perfect reset before diving into the magic of the weekend.

can i kick it?

Yes, you can! And you won’t be alone. Head to the Chill Out Area in DreamVille, claim one of 22 spots at the XXL kicker table, and find yourself shoulder to shoulder with other People of Tomorrow. We caught a game between France, Czech Republic, India, Belgium, Portugal, Israel and the Netherlands. Seven nations at one table. Think you can top that? Find your friends, grab a handle, and may the best country win.

from

to.

Celebrating a birthday at Tomorrowland? It doesn’t get much better than that. Sophie from England started her special day with a meditative moment before heading into Consciencia. “I wanted to have time to be mindful before the festival chaos begins.”

camping clean

Bring your filled plastic waste bag to the Recycle Club and be rewarded! The first five People of Tomorrow to donate their bag tomorrow will receive an exclusive Tomorrowland flag. Clean up, join the movement, and claim your prize while supplies last!

started the morning with a

Before the music takes over, it’s time to recharge. Marine and Xavier from Belgium are squeezing in a power nap ahead of their very first Tomorrowland night. Sweet dreams to you two before the madness bursts loose in earnest!

One game turned into a whole new group of friends. Florian from Albania spotted the XXL foosball table on the way to his tent and couldn’t resist. “We thought, why not give it a try?” Connections at DreamVille can start with something as simple as that!

tomorrow’s a

smoke stories

Firing up T-bones and tomahawks, DreamVille’s Orange District holds a well-kept secret: the single spot where BBQ cooking is allowed. Sandra and Dave, both locals from Boom, have hosted these barbecue pits for five years. They’ve become adopted family to People of Tomorrow from Australia, Korea and Brazil. Some return every year; some visit each other back home. Find Sandra & Dave between 10:00 and 16:00, bring your meat, and let the smoke do the rest.

Let your SPF work the magic. “I’m taking my lesson from yesterday’s scorching sun,” Oscar from Poland shares, while he’s preparing for another round of bright blue skies today.

“The moment I stepped onto the Tomorrowland grounds, I felt myself becoming a kid again.”

Andrea, 32, Peru

PEOPLE OF TOMORROW

“It’s hard to describe what Tomorrowland does to a person. It’s a feeling that you’ll never regret.”

Philipe, 28, Brazil

ULTIMATE CONNECTIONS

Low battery panic is not the emotion Consciencia had in mind. Luckily, Anker is here to keep things moving. Visit one of the Charge Your Phone booths across the festival grounds and DreamVille to give your phone a boost, whether you need the timetable, the map, or that one group chat currently deciding everyone’s future. You can also follow Anker’s Bridge of Connectivity, a little passage of energy and light designed to send you back into the crowd with more charge in your pocket and a bit more spark in your bones. Seek ultimate. Stay connected.

Create your own Tomorrowland story with MediaMarkt and Snapdragon. Step into the world of Awaken Your Avatar at the Partner Lane on the Festival Grounds, where your unique character comes to life and becomes part of your festival adventure. Capture your first moment, complete quests across the festival and unlock new chapters along the way. At the end of your journey, relive it all through your personal Tomorrowland Quest Wrapped video — a unique keepsake bringing together the moments, memories and magic that made your Tomorrowland story unforgettable. And as a final reward, completing your quest gives you the chance to receive an exclusive Tomorrowland prize package, including a brand-new Snapdragon laptop.

The Mainstage witnessed more than music this weekend. After a year of careful planning, Andrew got down on one knee and asked Kayla to marry him. These two lovebirds from the States have been together for two years, and it was immediately clear to Andrew that Kayla would be the person to spend the rest of his life with. Kayla had no idea what was coming. “She absolutely loves Tomorrowland. Kayla has been here nine times, and it’s her favourite place in the world. For me, there was never any other place to propose.”

Congratulations to both of you!

AT MONTAGOE SHE SAID YES!

BUBBLES

Montagoe has always moved at its own pace: a little softer, a little smoother, with the festival close by, but not rushing through the door. At the Moët Champagne Bar, that feeling comes with bubbles. Stop by for a glass of champagne, toast to the people who made it this far with you, and enjoy one of those calm, golden pauses before the evening lifts off again. Not every celebration needs a countdown. Some begin with a soft clink and a look that says: yes, this is rather nice.

THE COOKIE FACTORY

At DreamVille, The Cookie Factory by Biscoff is ready to make your morning routine a little more magical. The Legendary Baker welcomes you into a world of caramelised crunch, tastings, coffee and the exclusive Tomorrowland x Biscoff Sandwich Cookie, with a rich espresso filling. Try the treats, compare favourites with your neighbour in the queue, and enjoy a sweet pause before the next sprint across the Marketplace. It might be just a simple thing, a cookie. Until someone shares one with you at exactly the right time.

FRESH ON DECK

Old Spice returns to Tomorrowland with refresh points across the festival grounds and one very hard-to-miss centrepiece: the Ultimate Freshness Boat Party. Expect big names, hands in the air and that surreal feeling of dancing on the water while the rest of the festival moves around you. Do also make sure to keep your freshness radar tuned for the Old Spice Freshness Guards across the festival grounds. When the day gets hot and the crowd gets hotter, a quick scent reset can make all the difference to boost your confidence.

THE LEGEND UNFOLDS

THE MANY EMOTIONS OF CONSCIENCIA

With the reveal of the Mainstage, the World of Emotions unfolds before the People of Tomorrow. At the heart of this world lie six Provinces, each embodying one of the emotions that shape every human journey: Wonder, Joy, Desire, Love, Anger, and Sadness. Though each Province has its own spirit, none can exist without the others. Together, they form the balance that connects us all. Watching over this living world is Amutaz, the ancient guardian. Within this powerful entity lives the essence of all six emotions, guiding their harmony and reminding us that every feeling has its purpose. Linking the Provinces are the enchanted Stepping Stones, magical pathways travelled by the Fae, allowing them to move freely between the emotions and preserve the balance of their world.

As People of Tomorrow and as human beings, we are constantly travelling between these emotional landscapes. We experience moments of awe that awaken Wonder, bursts of Joy that lift our spirits, the pull of Desire that inspires us to dream, the warmth of Love that unites us, the fire of Anger that protects what matters most, and the quiet depth of Sadness that allows us to heal and grow. No emotion is greater than any other. Together, they tell the story of what it means to be human. As you step into Consciencia, allow yourself to embrace every feeling. Wander through each Province, discover its unique spirit, and let these stories of the People of Tomorrow inspire you to reflect on your own. Every emotion belies a deeper understanding of yourself – and of one another.

CHRISTOPHER FROM UGANDA - WONDER

JULIAN AND BRINDA FROM BELGIUM - JOY

For Julian and Brinda from Belgium, the last emotion they felt was Joy. After spending some wonderful days together on holiday, they returned to Belgium with hearts full of happiness and are continuing their journey of euphoria at Tomorrowland.

Although Christopher experiences many emotions in his everyday life, the memory that stands out most is one from last year. Visiting Europe for the very first time, having travelled all the way from Uganda, filled him with a profound sense of Wonder. The experience broadened his perspective and became a tale he will never forget.

ANNIKA FROM GERMANY - ANGER

DISCOVERY

“The last time I felt Anger was yesterday… although, to be honest, I was mostly just hungry.” For Annika, a growling stomach quickly turned her into a ‘hangry’ girlfriend – much to her boyfriend’s amusement. Thankfully, that feeling didn’t last long. After enjoying a pita, her frustration melted away. Sometimes the simplest things are enough to restore balance.

UGNĖ FROM LITHUANIA - DESIRE

“The last emotion I felt was desire for my husband today,” says Ugnė. She and her husband have been together for 13 years and married for one, and their attraction remains as strong as ever. Like the birds of the Province of Desire, with their soaring wings and feathers, this emotion continues to lift their relationship every day – true Desire can endure and grow over time!

ALFRED FROM FRANCE - SADNESS

“I truly felt Sadness about two years ago, when I lost my grandparents.” For Alfred, it was a deeply emotional time, filled with grief. Yet as time passed, the pain gradually made room for gratitude. Looking back, he now cherishes the memories they created together, and carries them with him every day: even in life’s darkest moments, there is light to be found!

ROBERT FROM GERMANY - LOVE

“The last emotion I felt was Love for my girlfriend today.” For Robert, Love is a feeling he experiences every day. Being at Tomorrowland together makes that emotion even stronger, giving them the chance to celebrate their relationship, create unforgettable memories, and share the magic of the festival side by side.

This year’s Tomorrowland began unlike any other. Right after the gates first opened, the People of Tomorrow were invited to take part in Discovery – a shared opening ritual marking the beginning of their journey into the story of Consciencia.

Guided by fairy-like performers, everyone gathered before the Mainstage, where they were welcomed into a world of magic, connection, and reflection. Each person received a flower and was invited to make a single wish. Whispering it to the flower before sharing it with ‘Tomorrow’ symbolised the first step in bringing that dream to life.

One by one, the flowers were placed into the ‘Welcome People of Tomorrow’ wall of grass, where hundreds of individual wishes came together as a tapestry of hope, unity and new beginnings. As peaceful melodies played by an orchestra slowly built towards the first Mainstage performance, the excitement and anticipation of the People of Tomorrow filled the air. Standing together in a moment of unity, with everyone carrying their own dreams, the ritual was a reminder that every Tomorrowland journey begins with intention. With a wish, a connection. A shared belief in possibility. From that moment on, the gates to Consciencia were open. Welcome to Tomorrowland, welcome to the world of Consciencia! And if you missed it this time around, there’s a Discovery every day...

n ICKY rOMERO

There are artists who fill dancefloors, and then there are artists who fill them with something far less tangible: true emotion. For almost two decades, Nicky Romero has belonged firmly in the latter category. Long before streaming numbers, social media trends or virality became defining metrics, the Dutch producer carved out a sound that has always felt unmistakably human. Euphoric melodies, heartfelt vocals and soaring progressive house anthems have become his signature. Not because they are designed to impress, but because they are designed to make people feel. Just before his unforgettable slot at the Great Library yesterday, he shared his thoughts on how feeling plays into music with us.

FROM THEDARKNESSTOTHELIG

To Romero, the emotional impact of music begins long before the drop arrives. It starts with a vocal line, a chord progression, or a melody quietly settling somewhere inside the listener before exploding into euphoria. “Certain vocals combined with certain chords can evoke very specific feelings,” he explains. “I think that feeling is what made people connect with my music from the very beginning. The fans who supported me from day one stayed because they recognised the emotion I wanted to share.”

It is perhaps no coincidence that this year’s Tomorrowland theme, Consciencia, feels so closely intertwined with everything Romero stands for. It invites the People of Tomorrow to embrace every emotion, from vulnerability and Sadness to hope, gratitude and overwhelming Joy. Few artists embody that emotional spectrum as naturally as Nicky does. Recent years have only reinforced that image. Whether through his work with Protocol Recordings nurturing young talent, or carefully reshaping his own career after learning difficult lessons about balance and mental wellbeing, Romero has consistently chosen authenticity over excess. He remains one of dance music’s biggest names yet somehow never loses the ability to speak with the openness of someone who still considers himself simply ‘Nick’. There is a quiet sincerity in everything he does, one that resonates just as powerfully as the drops in his productions.

That honesty becomes even more striking when the conversation moves away from the stage and into the emotions that shape the person behind the artist. “I have to switch gears a bit for that question,” Romero smiles when asked about vulnerability in his music. This may not be a topic people immediately associate with festival anthems, but for him, vulnerability has always been hiding in plain sight. “The beautiful thing about the sound I represent, and what we stand for with Protocol and progressive house, is that there’s so much room for melodies and vocals. That’s actually one of the things I love most about the genre. You can really communicate emotion.”

His records rarely live entirely in Joy or Sadness; instead, they constantly move between both worlds, creating the emotional tension that has become one of progressive house’s defining characteristics. “It’s always a balance,” he says. “Euphoria mixed with more sensitive chords, softer accents and emotional songs. Those are the moments that really touch me. And if something touches me, it’s much easier for me as an artist to transfer that feeling to other people. People immediately recognise whether that sincerity is genuine.” It’s a remarkably fitting description of Consciencia itself. Joy becomes more meaningful when it has been earned; euphoria becomes stronger after vulnerability. One cannot truly exist without the other. That philosophy has not only shaped his music, but also the trajectory of his own life.

Like every successful career, Romero’s story is often told through its highlights: charttopping releases, sold-out shows and iconic Mainstage moments. Yet he believes the greatest lessons came from the moments nobody envies. “And there have been several of those,” he says quietly. One loss still carries enormous weight. “I think everyone knows about Tim… Avicii.” His voice immediately changes. “I really didn’t see it coming.” At the time of Avicii’s passing, Romero was working closely with his friend on music, spending significant time together while discussing an album.

The tragedy therefore became intensely personal, not only because of the loss itself but because of the questions it left behind. “I often wondered why I didn’t see it coming,” he admits. “I was talking to him a lot. I even asked

“He explained everything to me, and I genuinely felt he was in a stable place. I thought things were getting better.” For a long time Romero carried an emotional burden that, rationally, he knew did not belong to him. “Of course I’m not responsible for what happened, and nobody is. But emotionally I still felt some responsibility. That was very difficult for me.”

The conversation naturally broadens to mental health in electronic music, a subject that has become increasingly visible over the past decade. From the outside, life as one of the world’s biggest touring DJs appears glamorous, a blur of endless applause, constant travel, and new cities every weekend. Reality, Romero explains, is often more complicated.

“The touring, all the festivals… they also have a downside.” That downside is closely linked to the emotional highs performers experience on stage. “You have these incredible endorphin rushes while performing. Then afterwards you sometimes end up alone in a hotel room.” Even surrounded by an exceptional team, those moments can feel surprisingly isolating. “You miss birthdays, family events. The people you grew up with continue living their lives while you’re constantly getting on another plane.”

Family has always occupied a central place in Romero’s life, making those sacrifices increasingly difficult. “I’m really a family person,” he says. “I love my family and the people I grew up with. Feeling that distance became harder and harder.” Eventually, years of constant touring caught up with him. “It ultimately led to a burnout around 2016.” Rather than allowing that experience to define him, Romero used it as an opportunity to completely rethink what success actually meant. “I simply decided to do fewer shows,” he adds. It sounds deceptively simple, but the decision fundamentally transformed his life. “The shows I do now, I give everything in them. And because I’m doing fewer, I feel like I have the best of both worlds. I can fully enjoy being on stage without constantly feeling disconnected from home.” Looking back, he no longer views burnout solely as something painful. “It’s incredibly difficult to go through,” he reflects. “But if you come out of it the right way, it can also become something beautiful. You can become a better person because of it.”

Again, Consciencia quietly echoes in the background: awareness, growth, turning darkness into understanding. When disappointment inevitably does rear its head, Romero has discovered another surprisingly simple solution: padel. “I play a lot of padel,” he laughs. The fast-growing racket sport has become much more than exercise to him: “It completely shifts my focus away from music.” Perhaps even more importantly, it allows him to step outside the identity the world has built around him: “I meet people who don’t know me as Nicky Romero the DJ. Some people on the court have absolutely no idea what I do.” For someone recognised across festival grounds around the world, that anonymity feels almost luxurious.

“I love just being another guy on the court…” He pauses before adding something refreshingly grounded: “Because that’s what I actually am. Just a completely normal guy. I understand why fans often put artists on pedestals. It’s flattering, don’t get me wrong.” Yet the moments he treasures most are often those where the spotlight disappears entirely. “I love just being Nick, playing padel with Jeroen, Tim, Klaas and Karolien. Nothing more.” It has become a new community for Nick, one built not around fame but around ordinary human connection.

If there remains one emotion Romero still dreams of experiencing, it lies beyond festivals entirely: fatherhood. “I’m not a father yet,” he says. “But it seems like the most beautiful thing.” He laughs while pointing to the closest comparison he currently has. “I do have a dog.” A four-year-old Pomsky weighing just seven kilograms. “What I already feel for that little animal…” He smiles. “If I can multiply that feeling by ten with a child one day, I imagine that must be one of the greatest emotions there are.” It is one of the few future dreams he still openly speaks about. “I really do hope I’ll experience it someday.” Then, almost instinctively, he adds another wish. “And hopefully I’ll be able to keep doing this for many more years.”

As the conversation slowly shifts from Sadness towards Joy, one story bridges both worlds perfectly. Romero is thinking of Tim – not Avicii this time, but another Tim that greatly impacted his life, a young fan connected to him through the Make A Wish Foundation. “Out of all the people in the world he could choose,” Romero says softly, “he wanted to visit my studio.” That simple fact already overwhelmed him. “I thought that was incredibly special.” The visit became far more than a quick meet-and-greet. Romero spent time with Tim and his family, creating memories during an unimaginably difficult period. Some time later, Tim’s mother called. “There was one day left before things would become really difficult, and she asked whether I would visit one more time. So I went.” It remains one of the most emotional experiences of his entire career. After Tim passed away, Romero attended the funeral. “They even played one of my songs.” Then came another moment he could never have anticipated. “When they unveiled his gravestone…” He pauses briefly, then continues even more tenderly. “It was the logo of my record label.” Even years later, he still struggles to fully process what that meant: “I never imagined music could mean that much to one person.” For Romero, every career achievement suddenly became secondary. “If you can make that kind of difference for even one person, then everything is worth it.” Perhaps there is no clearer example of Consciencia’s emotional journey than that story: grief transformed into gratitude, loss becoming purpose.

Finally, inevitably, the interview turns to Joy. What has been the happiest moment of his life? Romero does not hesitate. “Without any doubt, playing the Tomorrowland Mainstage.” Yet one particular edition stands out above all others. Ironically, it came after one of the festival’s darkest chapters. Following last year’s devastating Mainstage fire, nobody quite knew what Tomorrowland would feel like when the music finally returned. But when Romero walked onto that rebuilt stage, something extraordinary happened. “The release of emotion…” Nick is clearly still searching for the right words. “The strength of everyone behind the festival, combined with the energy of all the visitors who carried each other through that moment…” It became far more than just another performance: “It was one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever experienced.”

That is perhaps what Nicky Romero’s music has always tried to achieve. Not simply creating moments of celebration, but creating space for every emotion that leads us there. Sadness. Desire. Anger. Love. Wonder. And finally, the kind of overwhelming Joy that can only exist because we have first allowed ourselves to feel everything else. And perhaps that is the greatest expression of Consciencia of all!

Loretta painted a butterfly’s wing in blue and pink, symbolizing her friendship with Nabeela who joined her here from California. “We love spending time together in the Papillon area, so this butterfly brings friendship into the painting, expressed in our favourite colours.”

A small wooden clog by Britt and Michael represents a piece of the Netherlands they felt was missing. “We thought we’d have counted more Dutch flags at Tomorrowland by now,” they say. “This is our humble contribution to the universal vibe here.”

The bright yellow smiley face on the canvas was taken straight from Luke’s own tattoo. “The world needs more smiley faces,” he says with his signature Texas drawl. “I just want people to smile –a lot. That’s really all I’m after.”

A PIECE OF (HE)ART

ONE CANVAS, MANY WORLDS

Passion, indeed, is what many sought to add to this artwork. Fredy, who is a student photographer from Mexico, coloured his own camera onto the canvas. “It’s a little piece of me and my passion that I’m adding,” he says.

The first one adding a dash of red, the Italian Giada sketched a red flower: her favourite colour, just like her hair. “It’s a beautiful symbol of love and friendship, and reminds me of Tomorrowland,” she says.

Hendrik carefully added fine details to Gianna’s Hawaiian flower, echoing the Mainstage’s silhouette of two years ago. “That was my first time here,” he says. “The flower brings that same firsttime emotion that my friends are experiencing today.”

Yairo continued Luke’s message with a heart-shaped smiling face. “I’m always looking for happiness in everyone, and in everything I do,” he says. “I’m from Mexico, but Tomorrowland is happy land to me, so that’s exactly why it belongs here.”

Staircases twisting like dreams, flowers rising taller than temples, day and night curling into each other: the visual language of the Consciencia universe carefully draws upon the wonders of surrealism. It doesn't depict emotions, it becomes them. In order to reflect that mind-bending world, we gave eleven People of Tomorrow a blank canvas, a shared world to fill in as they pleased. Each of these strangers added a piece of their own story, with aplomb and style almost equal to the best painters of our generation, until all their separate worlds became one piece of (he)art.

FASHION 2026 MUST HAVES

THE STYLE OFTOMORROW STARTS HERE

Every edition of Tomorrowland brings unforgettable memories, but some moments deserve a place in your wardrobe too. This year’s collections are inspired by the world of Consciencia as well as other perennial Tomorrowland favourites, blending festival spirit with everyday style through exclusive pieces and accessories, many of which will only be available for a limited time. Whether you’re looking for the perfect finishing touch to your festival outfit, a practical companion for long days on the Holy Grounds or a collectible to remember this magical edition, these are the must-haves all the People of Tomorrow will want to get their hands on.

Consciencia Cap

Created exclusively for Tomorrowland Belgium 2026, the Consciencia Cap celebrates this year’s magical theme with its signature blue colourway. The cap reflects Wonder, one of the six core emotions, through embroidery at the front. It features tonal Tomorrowland embroidery at the back as well, with metal trims, an engraved adjuster, and washed details and distressed edges for a vintage look.

WR1 Sneaker

Built for movement, comfort and connection, the all-new Tomorrowland WR1 Sneaker is another top-tier item that was launched exclusively on the festival this year. Designed for long festival days and unforgettable nights, it comes in five exclusive colourways, available only at the Sneaker Stores at DreamVille and across the festival grounds.

Island Dream Headscarf

Lightweight, versatile and unmistakably Tomorrowland: the Island Dream Headscarf adds a colourful finishing touch to every festival look. Wear it as a headscarf, around your neck, on your wrist or tied to your bag. This one accessory has endless styling possibilities, designed for dreamers ready to dance from sunrise to sunset.

Tomorrowland Card Game

Bring the magic home long after the festival ends: the Tomorrowland Card Game brings the spirit of connection and togetherness into shared experiences with friends and family. Perfect for reliving festival memories while creating brand-new ones around the table with fellow People of Tomorrow.

WR1 Boarding Pass T-Shirt

Tomorrowland begins long before you arrive at the gates. Inspired by the anticipation and excitement of the countdown towards the festival, the WR1 Boarding Pass T-Shirt celebrates the journey that all People of Tomorrow share. It’s a stylish reminder that Tomorrowland is more than a destination, it’s a way of becoming yourself.

Tie-Dye Teddy Tote Bag

No two examples of this bag are exactly alike thanks to its unique tie-dye finish, and so every Teddy Tote Bag has its own personality. Soft, spacious and designed for everything from beach days to festival adventures, this stylish tote combines everyday practicality with a bold Tomorrowland look that stands out wherever you go.

GET YOUR ITEMS NOW

Discover the latest drops at the Tomorrowland Stores across DreamVille and the festival grounds, or explore the complete collection online at store.tomorrowland.com. Found your favourite but don’t want to carry it along all weekend? Simply use the Show now, Ship Home service and have your purchases delivered straight to your doorstep. That way, you can keep on dancing while your new Tomorrowland treasures safely find their way home.

UNITED WE DANCE COME ALONE, LEAVE TOGETHER

Some stories at Tomorrowland begin long before the first beat drops, with a plane ticket booked on impulse, a train ride across Europe, a backpack packed for one, and a quiet promise to yourself: I’m going anyway. When we joined this year’s United We Dance gathering, organised by Absolut and Tomorrowland exclusively for solo travellers, that promise was written across dozens of faces. Some arrived with confident smiles, others carefully scanned the crowd before taking a first step closer. Every person had their own reason for coming alone: a cancelled travel companion, friends who couldn’t make it, a lifelong dream that simply could not wait another year… Or the simple joy and freedom of exploring the world all by yourself. Different journeys, all arriving at the very same place.

The welcome was simple, genuine and exactly what Tomorrowland does best. A warm greeting from hosts Robyn and Ole, an invitation to step outside one’s comfort zone, and one small challenge: don’t spend the next hour with someone you already know. Instead, introduce yourself to someone you’ve never met.

It sounded almost too easy, but then the magic quietly began. Conversations started with the classic festival questions. “Where are you from?” “Who’s at the top of your must-see list?” “Is this your first Tomorrowland?” Within minutes, accents from every corner of the world blended into one language everyone understood: excitement.

An ice-cold welcome drink appeared, offering the perfect excuse to raise a glass with complete strangers. Fans unfolded under the warm Belgian summer sun, laughter grew louder, and suddenly nobody seemed to be standing alone anymore. Before setting off, one final moment captured everything that United We Dance stands for in a group photo. Just a short while earlier, these people had been individual festivalgoers, but now they looked remarkably like friends who had travelled together all along.

From there, the real adventure started, courtesy of Absolut. Together, the group roamed the Holy Grounds, discovering hidden corners, iconic landmarks and breathtaking stages. There was no rush to tick boxes or chase the perfect schedule. Every stop offered the opportunity to meet someone new, exchange recommendations or simply stand still for a moment and take it all in. One person pointed towards a favourite stage, another insisted everyone should experience a sunset set together later that evening, and before long

timetables transformed into shared plans. That is the beautiful thing about Tomorrowland: the festival itself is spectacular, but it is often the people beside you who turn it into the emotional journey that it is.

As the tour continued, something quietly shifted. The conversations became easier and inside jokes started appearing from nowhere. Phones were handed around to exchange social media profiles. Small groups naturally formed and dissolved again as everyone mixed freely. Nobody seemed concerned anymore about where they had started the day; they had found each other.

United We Dance is built on a simple belief: music opens the door, people decide what happens next. Together, Tomorrowland and Absolut have created a space where taking that first brave step becomes just a little easier, where inclusion isn’t announced with grand speeches, but with something much smaller. A smile. A shared drink. An invitation that simply says, “Come with us.” Because before Tomorrowland becomes one giant family, it always starts from individuals. And somehow, before the day is over, there are no more individuals, only unity. Come alone, leave together.

LOREN (UK)

“It’s my first festival ever, and I’m here for just one day. I arrived in the morning and tonight I’m leaving again. I’m going to be so tired but it’s worth it! United We Dance is a real cool way of meeting new people from all over the globe!”

SUSHAL (SCOTLAND) AND ARTURS (LATVIA)

Arturs: “Tomorrowland feels like coming home, and I just have to be here when I can. I don’t mind being all by myself because there’s always people around you. And this way I can meet cool new people, like Sushal!”

Sushal: “It’s just magic here. It’s always been my dream to be here and now that I am, I’m even happier to make new friends.”

HARRISON (USA)

“This will be my third Tomorrowland and it’s the best so far, it just gets better every year. I really love how I can connect with people here, and it helps to have a drink in your hand (laughs). I love travelling solo because of all the freedom it gives you to do whatever you want when you want it.”

YOUR DAILY MENU

The heart wants what it wants. In the context of Tomorrowland, this often means a total immersion in music and friendship. But the body has preferences of its own: it wants soul food! Luckily for you, Tomorrowland is where the world’s cuisines come together as one. The food on offer is more varied than ever this year, with lots of new stands presenting new flavours from around the world. The plentiful choices for both meat lovers and vegetarians can be quite overwhelming, so we’re offering you a helping hand by suggesting an itinerary that has you covered for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

TASTES OF THE WORLD

THE MEAT ITINERARY

BREAKFAST

LATIN AMERICAN SANDWICHES NEAR MOOSE BAR

You’d have to do some intermittent fasting before heading to the Holy Grounds by midday for a late breakfast, but let us tell you: it’s totally worth the wait. We suggest you go for the Pan Con Chicharron, South America’s number one breakfast dish. “A recent study in which 150,000 people on the continent were surveyed shows that this is by far the most popular thing to eat in the mornings,” says Jeronimo, who oversees the operations at this brand-new food stand. Pan Con Chicharron is quite different from the yoghurt and muesli that many Europeans eat, and it will fill you up unlike anything else. So what is that we’re munching on? Sauce forms an essential part of this extraordinary breakfast dish: the salsa criolla is made with red onion, mint, coriander, red habanero, lime juice and salt. All of this further enhances the already excellent taste of its core ingredients: pork belly, sweet potato and mustard mayo. Yum! Admittedly, noon is quite late for breakfast, but it will keep you going until at least 3pm when you head to Italian Pinsas.

LATE LUNCH

ITALIAN PINSAS AT PAPILLON

Yes, that’s right, pinsas, not pizzas! “The difference between the two is in the detail,” says Sarvan, the brand-new food truck’s manager. “Pizzas have a thick, heavy crust, but a pinsa has a base that’s similar to a focaccia’s: it’s much lighter, meaning that you won’t get that typical after dinner dip after eating one. The heads of our company are based locally but of Italian heritage, so they’re keen to introduce the Belgian public, and thereby the People of Tomorrow, to new Mediterranean flavours.” The one we go for is the Pinsa Spinata Romana: a meaty treat with pepper-crusted Italian salami, creamy mozzarella and basil. It’s a delicious light meal that will serve you right, just before you continue dancing.

DINNER

FRIED CHICKEN BURGERS BEHIND THE MAINSTAGE

The people behind Antwerp’s Indian restaurant Mission Massala decided to venture into making burgers this year. We’re surrounded by a very excited crowd who seem to be licking their fingers already as we wait to be served, so the first signs are promising. There is plenty of choice, and it’s not easy to pick one single dish, but we end up going for the Thai Fighter Chicken. Incredibly crunchy from the outside, it is nice and tender once you let your teeth sink into it properly. Marie, serving us today, loves this version best: “It comes with a coleslaw with herbs and soy mayo as well as a touch of mint, coriander and spring onion.” So what about our verdict then? Well, it’s tasty, filling, and it almost puts us into a food coma, but that’s OK, as chilling out is part of every good Tomorrowland experience.

BREAKFAST

TOMORROWLAND WAFFLE AT PAPILLON

There’s very little stress in the kitchen at the Tomorrowland Waffle stand, as they serve just one thing. But what more do you need when the taste of the single item on offer is just heavenly! The Tomorrowland Waffle is typical Belgian fare, but as every local knows: there are two types of Belgian waffle. The variety from Liège contains sugar and is quite thick. The one that we’re eating today, however, originates from Brussels. This one is fluffier and only receives its dose of icing sugar just before being served. This is also when an immaculate layer of chocolate, shaped like the butterfly that has become synonymous with Tomorrowland, is added to the waffle. Baking, serving and eating this treat is a timely matter, says Frederik, handing it over quickly: “You’ve got to eat it right after it’s served, when the structure of it is still nice and fluffy.”

LUNCH

DUMPLINGS AND BAO NEAR FREEDOM

This lovely Vietnamese food stand comes with just one vegetarian dish, but it sure is a tasty one: the Bao Champignon. The steamed bun contains a mix of deliciously fermented sauce, mushroom, coriander, carrot and fried onion. It’s not too big and certainly not too small, very healthy, and it has bite aplenty. This is the perfect energy booster for raving at the nearby Freedom and Rose Garden stages, and, importantly, by eating it you will basically be having the ideal ‘starter’ for today’s main meal: dinner at the all-new Rice Bowls takeaway restaurant.

DINNER

RICE BOWLS NEAR FREEDOM

The name of this joint may be unassuming, but the selection it has on offer is stunning. Vegetarian options include the very good-looking cold Poke Crispy Tofu dish, and an equally appealing bowl with satay tofu and coconut. We go for the Hot Bowl Korean Fried Tofu, however. It is a meal that comes in many colours: the red of the spicy kimchi, the deep purple of the crisp cabbage, the life-enhancing green of the spring onions and coriander, and a slightly lighter shade of red for the sweet sauce that tops it all off. The contrast between spicy and mild on the one hand, and crisp and hearty on the other, works really well – if you were to eat just one veggie dish today, this is the one we’d recommend.

THE VEGETARIAN ITINERARY

NEVER MISS A BEAT

You’re already living it: the bass in your chest, the crowd’s roar, the Holy Grounds humming under your feet. So why catch the livestream? Because not even the Tomorrowland magic can get you to all stages at once. Missing Novah on Mainstage while queueing for fries? Channel one has you covered. Curious what’s unfolding at Freedom over on the other end of the grounds? Channel two awaits. And if you want to pause the beats while sipping tea at Papillon, One World Radio will carry you further still, with artists stepping straight from backstage into your ears with one-off interviews. The livestream is on daily between 14:00 and midnight via the Tomorrowland app.

THE SOUND OF INNOVATION

BMW brings two kinds of craftsmanship to Tomorrowland: one you can see up close, and one you can feel in your chest. Visit the BMW booth to explore the newest BMW and the Sound of Innovation, then make room in your timetable for Symphony of Unity at the Freedom Stage. On Saturday, the orchestra will take the stage, turning iconic dance music into a sweeping live concert where strings, brass, electronics and visuals meet under the Floating Sky. A good reminder that sometimes the biggest drops begin with a bow touching a string!

FIND YOUR FLAVOUR

At Coca-Cola, your drink begins with your music taste. Through three interactive music stations, you can shape your own personalised Coca-Cola mix, building a small soundtrack through beats, rhythm and choices. Once your festival flavour has revealed itself, take your refreshment, capture the result at the photo moment and settle in on the terrace. It’s a playful little recharge between stages, especially when the sun is high and your group needs five minutes to stop debating where to go next. Refresh first, recharge after.

FEEL THE BEAT

Connection has many tempos. At Feel the Heat by Durex, right next to the Mainstage, you can explore yours through a playful festival experience built around four rooms, your personal heat type and a silent disco linked to your music taste. Guided by your unique chemistry, you’ll embark on a sensual journey tailored to you. Staying at DreamVille? Look out for the Durex vending machine and discover if you are a perfect match.

GOING DIGITAL

Some dreams are built with steel, wood and thousands of moving lights. Others come to life through millions of digital blox. This year, Tomorrowland is stepping into a new dimension together with RF Productions, an ambitious collective of remarkably young creators from Belgium and the Netherlands who are recreating the magic of the world’s biggest festivals in Roblox. What started as a passion project has quickly evolved into an official collaboration. Many members of the RF Productions team are not only talented developers but also devoted People of Tomorrow themselves. Some have even worked behind the bars at Tomorrowland in previous years, making this partnership feel like a natural next chapter in their own festival journey.

The collaboration debuted in spectacular fashion on Friday, when players from around the world gathered in Roblox for the official Mainstage reveal. A giant countdown clock built anticipation before the virtual Mainstage opened its doors, allowing fans everywhere to experience the iconic design together for the very first time. And the adventure does not stop there. Visitors can explore dedicated hubs across the digital festival grounds, discover interactive games, and immerse themselves in a world inspired by Tomorrowland. And on Saturday, the line between reality and the virtual world becomes even thinner, as Dimitri Vegas performs live on the Roblox Mainstage. Every cue, every visual and every musical moment is synchronised with his real-life Mainstage performance, creating a unique shared experience across two worlds. Curious? Join Tomorrowland on Roblox.

GUETTA’S LATEST

It has been twenty-one years since David Guetta, the Frenchman who first introduced so many of us to dance music, first played Tomorrowland. That’s over two decades ago! Let that sink in for a moment... David has been part of Tomorrowland’s history ever since, and yesterday marked the first page of a brand-new chapter for him: the nostalgically euphoric ‘Human’ by David Guetta, Third Party and John Martin is out now on Tomorrowland Music.

Discovering new sounds across the Holy Grounds is a treat to every music lover, but the overwhelming amount of choice makes it everything but a walk in the park. Where to go, when? How to divide your time between the grandest stages and the smaller, hard-to-find gems? Worry not, as the next pages will serve as your personal guide to Tomorrowland’s magical universe of music. Enjoy the sounds!

PLANAXIS

30 YEARS OF DIM MAK

Founded in 1996 by Steve Aoki, Dim Mak is one of electronic music’s most versatile record labels. Why? Because it’s incorporated so many influences from outside its own realm: besides electronic music, hip-hop and rock have also helped craft the Dim Mak sound.

To celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the label, Steve has invited some of his favourite artists on the roster as well as some really good Dim Mak friends. Take Chocolate Puma, best known for their 1993 (!) hit ‘Give it Up’. Master of all dance styles Laidback Luke will also play a skillful set as part of the celebration. Canadian duo DVBBS, known for their collabs with the label’s head honcho, are another highlight and so is, of course, the appearance of Mr. Aoki himself.

ATMOSPHERE ARTCORE

The rise of Indira Paganotto’s star over the past few years has been more than remarkable; it’s a development that can’t be seen apart from the growth of her prolific label and party concept, Artcore. Today’s line-up is particularly strong with Berghain resident Ben Klock playing a hammering set of industrial sounds, Estella Boersma pushing her blend of techno, acid and breaks, and Reinier Zonneveld doing his punishing live thing. The set by Indira herself, finally, is not to be missed: she plays a blend of harder styles that is only loosely centered around techno, where the thump of psytrance and the screech of hardstyle are never far away.

ELIXIR

VUNZIGE DEUNTJES

From its humble roots in Amsterdam’s intimate Bitterzoet venue a decade and a half ago, Vunzige Deuntjes (Dutch for ‘dirty tunes’) has extended its reach to an annual festival in a huge Dutch forest and regular hostings here at Tomorrowland. Artists pumping straight fire through Elixir’s extraordinarily powerful speakers include Rockefellababe, Ballantine & Dieux Père, Encore Soundsystem, Pretty Girls Like Trap Music and many others. These DJs are truly united in their diversity and it shows when it comes to the music they play. Expect genres you won’t hear anywhere else in Boom, including Dutch and international hiphop, amapiano, R&B, reggaeton, dancehall and Afrobeats. Vunzige Deuntjes is where styles blend easily. The common denominator, however, is always crystal clear: it’s got to be urban baby!

CHOCOLATE PUMA FROM THE 90S TO THE NOW

Music is a journey of discovery, and sometimes the digging doesn’t end in the crates: you’ve got to look who’s behind the monikers and connect the dots to find out about a lot more alter egos. Such is the case with Chocolate Puma. Not only did René ter Horst and Gaston Steenkist from the Dutch city of Haarlem produce music as Chocolate Puma, they’re also known as Zki & Dobre, René et Gaston, The Good Men, Klatsch!, Riva and Jark Prongo. There’s a whole jungle of tunes to discover once you dive into the discography of these two friends, who started their careers some 35 years ago and became a quiet force behind the scenes of Dutch dance music, mentoring talent and relentlessly pushing out tunes. Ahead of their appearance at Planaxis this early afternoon, they sat down with us to tell all.

Let’s go back to 1992. You released the song ‘Give It Up’, sampling Brazilian artist Sergio Mendes. These rhythms were highly unusual in electronic music back then, yet the song became a big hit. What can you tell us about the process of creating this song?

René: “Back in 1991, when we made ‘Give It Up’, the tribal house sound from the USA but also from Italy was already popping off. So when we heard those Brazilian rhythms, we took a few drum hits and made our own version of what we were inspired by. What started as kind of a regular four-tothe-floor house track turned into this hybrid dancefloor record that really sounded different from anything else back then. Instead of congas and bongos, there were these monstrous metallic-sounding drums.”

Gaston: “As we were already DJs at that time, we started playing the track in our own sets as a demo on cassette tape. In the beginning, people had to get used to it, but soon we saw the reactions getting bigger and better. We then went to our favourite record label in Amsterdam to have them listen to the demo, but they weren't too sure about it. That led us to start our own label, Fresh Fruit Records, and we released it ourselves as The Good Men. We initially put it on the B-side of the vinyl, but when the track got big, we re-released it as an A-side. One of our favourite memories from those early days is going to the iT club in Amsterdam, where, when the lights came on in the early morning, people were stomping their feet to the intro beats on those wooden stages.”

All of this happened before the digital age. How did the snowball effect around this track work? What were some key success factors back then?

René: “In those days, it was much more difficult to know exactly what was happening on the other side of the world because it was still the pre-internet era. Obviously, we saw things getting crazier by the week here in the Netherlands.

“We never lost interest in music; that would be like saying we lost interest in breathing.”

We also received reports from our distributor and faxes with feedback from DJs in the USA, the UK and other parts of the world, which helped keep us in the loop. What still blows our minds, though, is that even today we hear fans, as well as fellow producers and DJs, telling us their own stories about ‘Give It Up’.”

Laidback Luke once told us in an interview that he joked about you guys turning commercial due to the track being such a big hit. Do you remember him saying this and your reaction?

Gaston: “I think Luke experienced the same thing we did with one of his own records. It started as an underground club record and turned into this uncontrollable monster that became a worldwide radio hit. The same "cool" people who were dancing to ‘Give It Up’ at first later accused us of selling out. That was quite disappointing to see, as we were still the same guys making the music we loved. At the same time, it gave us the confidence to just do whatever we wanted, as long as we loved it.”

Around the same time, you also had radio and club hits as René et Gaston and Klatsch!, each with a distinct sound. A few years after that, you released several tracks as Jark Prongo. Can you tell us something about each of these projects and why you used different names for them?

René: “At that time, we were very productive and made all kinds of different tracks. For example, we produced disco-inspired house under our moniker Klatsch!, more melodic, fairy tale-inspired music as René et Gaston, and we used Jark Prongo for the weirder stuff. We thought we needed all these different

“‘Give It Up’ stood out because instead of congas and bongos, there were these monstrous metallic-sounding drums.”

names so we could release as much music as we wanted. Back then, it was very common for artists to have multiple project names.”

The Chocolate Puma alter ego outlasted the other ones. Why did you choose to discontinue the other projects and continue with this one?

Gaston: “At one point, we realised that having all these different monikers didn't really work that well anymore, as you can imagine. We ended up sticking with the last name we came up with, and from that point on, we released everything, all the different styles, under one umbrella: Chocolate Puma. What’s funny to us is that we still see some people discovering that we’re the artists behind, for example, Jark Prongo or Riva.”

As of three years or so ago you are back with a steady stream of new releases. Was there a renewed interest in music from your part? And do you feel there is a Chocolate Puma from before the hiatus and one after?

René: “There are always ebbs and flows. We never lost interest in music; that would be like saying we lost interest in breathing. But music is an extension of our feelings, you can always hear these emotions reflected in what we release.”

Compared to other artists from the Netherlands, you play gigs less regularly. Are you leaving the DJ’ing for special occasions? Or is there another reason for this?

Gaston: “Well, I completely gave up DJ’ing in 2020. Our DJ career was going fantastically, with countless tours, the craziest gigs and insane schedules, which was a sign that we must have been doing something right. Right? But it became too demanding for me, both mentally and physically. From that point on, we decided that René would continue DJ’ing, but only on his own terms, while I stayed in the background, focusing on the studio.”

If you had to name three recent tracks you’re very proud of (and that you’re likely to play at Tomorrowland), which ones would they be and why?

René: “Today it’s ‘The Dawn’, ‘CTRL’, and ‘You Are My Life’, with Mike Cervello. If you ask me another day it might be a different list, though!”

You guys played an important role in discovering Laidback Luke – or that’s what he told us. What are your memories of this?

Gaston: “I actually have very fond memories of that. It was the early '90s, and I had DJ'd at a party for the high school we both went to. There was this kid who gave me a demo tape. When I got home, I listened to it and thought it wasn't the best music, but there was something about it. I actually forgot about it until Luke started to call my landline. I think he looked up our number in the telephone book! He kept bugging my mum and asked if I had listened to the demo yet. Eventually, I got back to him and invited him to my studio. From that point on, we got along really well, spending long sessions talking about everything to do with music, and I kind of educated him about producing, the history of dance music, and so on. I even got him some gear to get him started. After some time, he was ready to release his first record on our label. In hindsight, I'm glad he was so persistent!”

You’re performing at the Dim Mak stage. What can you say about the connection between yourselves and this label by Steve Aoki?

René: “We go way back. We released two records on the label: ‘Rubberband Lazer’ and ‘The Max’. We also played some Dim Mak gigs in Ibiza and Miami.”

You’ve played Tomorrowland several times, the last time in 2022. What are some of your favourite memories of those occasions?

Gaston: “We loved playing the Heldeep stage in 2017, and we know that for a lot of people this is still their favourite set of ours. The 2011 set at the stage hosted by Defected Records also brings back a lot of warm memories.”

René: “Don’t forget we once played a three-hour opening set at the Mainstage as well, that was also very special!”

SATURDAY

TODAY’S TALE n T, TOMOrrOW’S STAR

SEBSKY

CELESTIA | 13:00 – 14:00

With no less than twelve artists under eighteen, Tomorrowland’s 2026 edition is breaking records when it comes to the amount of youngsters featured on the line-up. This is today’s most exciting prodigy!

Real name: Sebastien Ceuppens

Age: 15

Country of origin: Belgium

SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/djsebsky

Style of music: Sebsky is a jack of all trades covering (almost) the entire spectrum of electronic music, from big room to house and from harddance to hardtechno.

First attempt at DJ’ing: Sebastien performed his first DJ set as the closing act of a school party in Dilbeek near Brussels back in 2022, before joining his first Tomorrowland Academy DJ camp in Hasselt.

Famous words: “I’ve been playing the trumpet for a while now. My aim is to bring the energy of live instruments to the DJ stage, just like my idol Timmy Trumpet”.

Why you shouldn’t miss this gig: Sebastien has already delivered his proof of concept last year, when he rocked the Rise stage here at the Holy Grounds. You could call him a seasoned veteran already!

MAINSTAGE CONSCIENCIA

Closing Show 00:50 - 01:00

David Guetta 23:30 - 00:50

Dimitri Vegas 22:15 - 23:30

Fisher 21:10 - 22:10

John Newman 20:05 - 21:05

Boris Brejcha 19:05 - 20:05

HALŌ 18:00 - 19:00

Maddix 17:00 - 18:00

Omdat Het Kan & Average Rob 16:00 - 17:00

Stephani B 15:00 - 16:00

Merow 14:00 - 15:00

Discovery 12:00 - 14:00

MC Stretch

FREEDOM BY BUD

Armin van Buuren 22:00 - 00:30

Symphony of Unity 21:00 - 22:00

Netsky 20:00 - 21:00

Meduza³ 19:00 - 20:00

Symphony of Unity 18:00 - 19:00

Space 92 16:30 - 18:00

Plastik Funk b2b Olympe 15:00 - 16:30

Luna & Lenthe 13:30 - 15:00

Dave Lambert 12:00 - 13:30

The Rose Garden BONZAI

Bonzai All Stars 23:55 - 00:50

X-Tof 23:00 - 23:55

Franky Kloeck 22:00 - 23:00

Funkhauser 21:00 - 22:00

Jan Vervloet 20:00 - 21:00

Push 19:00 - 20:00

DJ Ghost 18:00 - 19:00

DJ Furax 17:00 - 18:00

Greg S. 16:00 - 17:00

Blvckprint 15:00 - 16:00

Jente b2b Neall 14:00 - 15:00

Phi Phi 13:00 - 14:00

Just-K 12:00 - 13:00

MC Pyro

Elixir

VUNZIGE DEUNTJES

Steww Soundsystem 00:00 - 00:45

Afrolosjes Soundsystem 23:00 - 00:00

Rockefellababe 22:00 - 23:00

Encore Soundsystem 21:00 - 22:00

Kurashi Soundsystem 20:00 - 21:00

Vunzige Deuntjes Soundsystem 19:00 - 20:00

MELV!EE 18:00 - 19:00

WEF 17:00 - 18:00

Ballantine & Dieux Père 16:00 - 17:00

Pretty Girls Like Trap Music 15:00 - 16:00 Soundsystem

Lordesius & Anders 14:00 - 15:00

sojuju & Julian Jermain 13:00 - 14:00

MC Claudio

CAGE

HOSTED BY ELYSIUM

Vieze Asbak 21:30 - 23:00

BYØRN 20:00 - 21:30

Dexphase 18:30 - 20:00

A.N.I. 17:00 - 18:30

Not My Type 15:30 - 17:00

Maike Depas 14:00 - 15:30

Luna Fields 12:00 - 14:00

THE RAVE CAVE CRYSTAL

Jonas van Opstal 23:30 - 01:00

Bobby & Djenko 22:00 - 23:30

Soulcity 20:30 - 22:00

Vitucci 19:00 - 20:30

Monta 17:30 - 19:00

Brits & Boen 16:00 - 17:30

Aghatixx 15:00 - 16:00

Los Bomberos 14:00 - 15:00

The Spook 13:00 - 14:00

PLANAXIS

2010 - 2012 PRESENTS 30 YEARS DIM MAK

Steve Aoki 23:00 - 23:50

DVBBS 22:00 - 23:00

Bassjackers 21:00 - 22:00

Lucas & Steve 20:00 - 21:00

SURPRISE 19:00 - 20:00

Laidback Luke 18:00 - 19:00

Quintino 17:00 - 18:00

Ian Asher 16:00 - 17:00

Kaaze 15:00 - 16:00

Marnik 14:00 - 15:00

Chocolate Puma 13:00 - 14:00

D’Angello & Francis 12:00 - 13:00

MELODIA

BY CORONA

Arado 23:00 - 00:00

Twenty Six 22:00 - 23:00

Sam Shure 20:30 - 22:00

Idemi 19:00 - 20:30

Chinonegro 18:00 - 19:00

Unread 16:30 - 18:00

Emiliano Demarco 15:00 - 16:30

Hermanos Inglesos 13:30 - 15:00

Lya 12:00 - 13:30

CELESTIA BY KUCOIN

YVES V PRESENTS V SESSIONS

Will Sparks 22:00 - 23:00

Matisse & Sadko 21:00 - 22:00

DJ Nano 20:00 - 21:00

Yves V 19:00 - 20:00

Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman 18:00 - 19:00

Diego Miranda b2b Pette 17:00 - 18:00

Block & Crown b2b LYNNE 16:00 - 17:00

Joyse b2b Ryan Spicer 15:00 - 16:00

Encure b2b Honey Gee 14:00 - 15:00

Sebsky 13:00 - 14:00

Sef sansT 12:00 - 13:00

CORE

Bedouin 23:00 - 00:50

Carlita b2b Malive 21:30 - 23:00

SAMM b2b Ajna 19:30 - 21:30

Antdot 18:00 - 19:30

Dino Lenny 16:30 - 18:00

Betical 15:00 - 16:30

Curol 13:30 - 15:00

Capoon 12:00 - 13:30

CRYSTAL GARDEN

Steve Angello 21:30 - 00:30

Morten b2b Malaa 20:00 - 21:30

Ben Hemsley 18:30 - 20:00

Dean Turnley 17:00 - 18:30

NOSI 15:00 - 17:00

Dali 13:30 - 15:00

Cici Daze 12:00 - 13:30

ATMOSPHERE

ARTCORE

Reinier Zonneveld (live) 23:30 - 00:55

Indira Paganotto 21:30 - 23:30

Biia b2b Charlie Sparks 20:00 - 21:30

Ben Klock 18:30 - 20:00

Elli Acula 17:00 - 18:30

Estella Boersma 15:30 - 17:00

Marhu 14:00 - 15:30

Interactive Noise 12:00 -

ILLE n IUM

For more than a decade, Illenium has been proving that electronic music can be both earth-shaking and deeply emotional. The Grammy-nominated producer from Denver built a signature sound where soaring melodies collide with crushing bass drops and cinematic storytelling meets festival-sized singalongs. To him, vulnerability is just as important as volume. From sold-out stadium shows and headline performances across the globe to becoming one of the few electronic artists with a residency at the spectacular Sphere in Las Vegas, Nick Miller has continuously expanded the possibilities of what a dance music performance can be.

His sixth studio album ‘Odyssey’ marked another bold chapter, written alongside an immersive visual experience designed specifically for the Sphere, blurring the lines between concert, cinema and emotional journey. With collaborations spanning every corner of electronic music and an ever-growing fanbase that proudly calls itself the Illenials, Illenium now reaches another milestone: his long-awaited Tomorrowland debut. And for an artist who has spent years transporting listeners into other worlds, there may be no better place to begin a new chapter than here in the magical world of Consciencia.

The way Illenium approaches a DJ set has never been about simply lining up tracks. Every performance is designed as a story, one that constantly shifts between explosive bass music and emotional melodies, rock influences and euphoric anthems. It is a balance that has become one of his trademarks, and for Tomorrowland he deliberately challenged himself to push that idea even further. “I’ve always loved all types of dance music, so I really enjoyed putting my set together for Tomorrowland,” he explains. “It made me push outside what I would normally do while still making it my own. It’s all about taking people on a journey. That’s how I always think about my sets, and Tomorrowland is such an amazing place to tell a story.”

That desire to keep evolving has guided him throughout a career that now spans well over ten years. While the studios and collaborators as well as the scale of his projects have changed dramatically, the excitement that first pulled him into music remains exactly the same. “In a lot of ways it’s different, but in a lot of other ways it’s stayed the same,” he says. “I always want to keep things fresh and try new things, and I think that keeps me excited. I try to capture that feeling I had when I first started producing music. The studios and people I get to write with now have definitely

changed, but I always try to find that same excited feeling when I make a song I really love, and can just obsess over it for hours and hours.”

Rather than writing a traditional collection of songs, Illenium found himself composing music alongside an entirely new visual world, inspired by the immersive possibilities of his Sphere Las Vegas residency. “It felt like an amazing challenge to produce a show at the Sphere,” he recalls. “When the idea became more of a reality, it instantly sparked a creative fire in me. I’d never tried to write an album around a movie that we were creating. It was such a fun and different experience than what I was used to.”

Although Illenium’s music has expanded far beyond any single genre, melodic dubstep remains at the heart of his sound. His love for it goes back to the artists who first introduced him to electronic music. “Early on I was really into DJs like Tiësto and Basshunter, which was my introduction into dance music,” he says. “Then I started listening to a lot of Skrillex, Adventure Club and Seven Lions, and I really fell in love with that melodic dubstep sound.” What captivated him was the unique balance between power and emotion. “I loved the mix of energy and melody. The sound and feeling that music gave me was such an amazing escape. It really helped me find peace. I became obsessed with trying to make that type of sound and give people that same escape through my own music.”

Even today, Skrillex remains one of his biggest inspirations, while newer artists continue to fuel his creativity. “Lately I’ve been loving Subtronics, and I’m really excited to play my first b2b with him later this year.” Inspiration, however, comes from far more than electronic music alone. It might even come courtesy of heavy rock bands like Bring Me the Horizon and Spiritbox. Sometimes it arrives through everyday moments

that many people would overlook. “I’m constantly finding inspiration in all different types of music,” he explains. “I’ve been loving some Jon Hopkins recently. Of course I find a lot of inspiration in my relationships, like with my amazing wife. Or even just travelling around and looking out the window.” One of those moments literally became part of ‘Odyssey’: “I actually wrote ‘Paris’ on a train ride through France.”

When choosing collaborators, Illenium doesn’t chase trends. He’s looking for something much longer-lasting. “I think I’m always looking for something that sounds timeless. I just want my music to stand the test of time. I love working with people who inspire me creatively.” The same applies to vocalists. His music has always been built around huge emotional choruses that transform festival crowds into one giant choir. “I love powerful, anthemic vocals,” he says. “I love when everyone sings the songs together, so I’m always thinking: will this be something everyone just wants to scream together live at a show? That’s what I’m looking for.”

For Illenium, Tomorrowland represents more than another show on the calendar. It embodies the same idea that has inspired his music from the very beginning: stepping outside reality for a little while. “I couldn’t be more excited,” he says. “I love the world-building and fantastical nature of Tomorrowland. It really transports you to another world that allows you to escape reality for a bit. That’s what music has always been about for me.”

If there is one thing Tomorrowland has always celebrated, it is artists who dare to tell stories rather than simply play songs. Judging by the journey Illenium has planned, his long-awaited debut promises to offer exactly that.

SATURDAY

THE GREAT LIBRARY | 19:00 - 20:00

When it comes to effortlessly bridging the worlds of bass house, UK garage, breakbeats and club energy, few artists do it quite like Marten Hørger. The German DJ, producer and label boss has spent years carving out a distinctive sound that refuses to be boxed into a single genre. Instead, he thrives on unpredictability, seamlessly blending infectious grooves, heavyweight basslines and razor-sharp percussion into sets that are as surprising as they are dancefloorfocused. Known for his impeccable technical skills behind the decks and an instinctive ability to read a crowd, Hørger has become a favourite at major festivals and legendary clubs across the globe. He may be performing at intimate underground venues or in front of tens of thousands of festivalgoers, but his mission always remains the same: keep people moving from the very first beat to the very last.

HERMANOS INGLESOS

MELODIA | 13:30 - 15:00

MA r TE n HØrGER VIEZE ASBAK

With his wide range, Marten Hørger represents a new generation of artists who connect different corners of dance music. His sets flow between house, bass, garage and broken beats without ever losing momentum, creating musical experiences that feel fresh, dynamic and unmistakably his own. It’s his fearless approach to selection and production that has earned him a loyal global following and widespread respect throughout the industry. His productions have earned support from some of electronic music’s biggest names, with collaborations with fellow innovators like David Guetta, John Newman and DJ Fresh further cementing his reputation as one of the scene’s most exciting creative forces. Last year’s collab ‘B2U EP’ with fellow electronic jack-of-all-trades Dillon Francis came out on 1001 Recordings – Tomorrowland Music and 1001 Tracklists’ freshest label – and proved that he understands what the People of Tomorrow are after like no other. Expect pounding basslines, bewildering rhythms and an endless stream of surprises when Marten Hørger plugs in his USB. Every one of his performances is a celebration of the sheer fun of club culture

Bringing sunshine wherever they go, Hermanos Inglesos have become synonymous with feel-good grooves, disco-infused house and irresistible indie. The Belgian brothers effortlessly blend their eclectic music taste with deep basslines and uplifting percussion into vibrant sets that will turn every crowd into one big family. Their productions and performances celebrate togetherness, positivity and the simple joy of dancing, while their production work was celebrated and/or remixed by the likes of Erol Alkan, Tiga and Fake Blood. Whether you’re discovering them for the first time or already have come across their remixes for The Temper Trap, Yeasayer or Digitalism, Hermanos Inglesos are sure to deliver an infectious energy that keeps faces smiling and feet moving long after the music ends.

BEN KLOCK

ATMOSPHERE 18:30 - 20:00

Few artists embody the sound of Berlin quite like Ben Klock. Renowned for his marathon sets, impeccable track selection and hypnotic approach to techno, he has spent nearly two decades mesmerising dancefloors around the world. As one of the defining figures of Berghain’s global legacy, Klock blends raw power with subtle emotion and patiently creates journeys that evolve with precision. He could be delivering deep, rolling grooves or relentless peak-time energy, but every performance feels carefully crafted and yet unique. Expect a masterclass in tension, atmosphere and uncompromising techno from one of the genre’s true modern icons.

CAGE 21:30 - 23:00

Loud, unpredictable and impossible to ignore, Vieze Asbak (‘Dirty Ashtray’) has become one of the most talked-about names in the Dutch underground. Blurring the boundaries between hard dance, gabber, rave, hip-hop and internet culture, his performances are equal parts concert, club night and controlled chaos. With tongue firmly in cheek and an unmistakable DIY attitude, he has built a devoted following that embraces the unexpected. Behind the humour and absurdity lies a sharp musical vision packed with explosive drops and relentless energy. One thing is for certain: a Vieze Asbak set is never ordinary, and that’s exactly the point.

LOVE

WHERE ARE YOU NOW? LOST FREQUENCIES

21:30 - 22:45 | THE GREAT LIBRARY

A discussion about emotionally charged music without mentioning Belgian melodic prodigy Lost Frequencies would be pointless; all of his songs evoke something personal in individuals and a collective release in crowds. Not only is ‘Where Are You Now’, a stunning collaboration with vocalist Callum Scott, one of Felix de Laet’s biggest hits; it is also very much a song about love, or rather about a longing for a lost love. “Hey, it’s been too long,” Callum sings; “Too long to go, my love. Where did we go wrong? Too late to turn around. Where are you now?” Who wouldn’t feel a little heartbroken, but also more than ready to find new love again, listening to this gem of a song?

WONDER

IS IT BEAUTIFUL?

ARMIN VAN BUUREN

22:00 - 00:30 | FREEDOM

Armin van Buuren describes himself as an eternal student of music, always keen to learn more. Even at the mature stage of his career he finds himself in right now, he still watches online production tutorials because he wonders how to get better; he feels the constant urge to learn new studio techniques. He once stated that “music is always a lesson and artists are always learning.” Throughout the years, the incredibly talented trance producer has continued to collaborate with artists of all kinds, even ones in the field of rock and hip-hop. The goals he sets for himself are mostly driven by wonder: how do I venture into unknown musical territories?

In ‘Is It Beautiful?’ Armin doesn’t doubt himself. He doesn’t wonder whether his tune is beautiful, he knows it is. Rather, he asks an unknown interlocutor whether it’s beautiful where they are – an eternal student of wonder as well as music, it seems.

ESTELLA BOERSMA

Estella Boersma is a clubber at heart, and one who doesn’t like boundaries; whenever she encounters one, she’s liable to cross it full force. Atmosphere is an arena of ultra-high energy and this Dutch DJ fits in perfectly – her self-founded label, EB-REX, is a venue for much the same type of fare. If relentless, mid-paced hammer-type kickdrums are your thing, you may just have to arrive on time. By doing so, you’ll be sure to witness Estella’s craft in all its diversity: techno goes hand in hand with breakbeat, fast-paced vocal samples, acid, uptempo house and whatever else she can dig up. It’ll all be served up with a very big smile, so go for it!

19:10 - 20:10 | MAINSTAGE 15:30 - 17:00 ATMOSPHERE

BORIS BREJCHA

Always masked in the style of Venetian carnival, German phenomenon Boris Brejcha pulls his crowd into an eternal groove like no other. His driving tracks seem to come out of nowhere – or is it everywhere? Boris Brejcha’s sound has a universal quality, it is a sound every music lover can relate to. To witness a set by this master of immersion is to forget about time and place, even if you may remember you’re at Tomorrowland if you try hard enough. Classic and much-loved Boris Brejcha songs include ‘Spicy’, ‘Space Driver’ and ‘To the Moon and Back’. Want to get ready with some recent bangers? Check out ‘Be OK’, ‘Dirty Beat’ and ‘Vienna’.

A true pioneer of Belgian dance music, Jan Vervloet has left an undeniable mark on electronic music history. Best known as the driving force behind iconic projects including Fiocco and Scoop, his productions helped define the sound of the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. Decades later, his passion for the dancefloor burns brighter than ever, combining timeless classics with fresh energy behind the decks. Jan Vervloet represents a generation that laid the foundations for today’s festival culture, proving that great melodies, uplifting energy and good old rolling basslines never go out of style.

EVE rY MELODY IS A PROVI nCE, A n EMOTIOnAL WOr LD UNTO ITS OW n

LAIDBACK LUKE JAN VERVLOET

18:00 - 19:00 | PLANAXIS THE ROSE GARDEN | 20:00 - 21:00

An inspiration to many, Dutch mainstay Laidback Luke is a master of many electronic subgenres. The producer, who is also an excellent DJ, has seen the rise of styles like EDM, tech house and drum & bass. Listen carefully to what he plays and you’ll hear elements of styles you’d never expect to hear in a prime time set. But there’s also plenty of classic dance music: did you know that Luke and the Swedish House Mafia share a deep historical connection? Luke’s 2008’s classic ‘Show Me Love’ is a collab with Steve Angello, and ‘Leave the World Behind’ from 2009 features the entire SHM crew. Spot the classics while you dance!

DESIRE DRAWS YOU ONWARD TO THE MAGIC!