Experience the Mecca of All Festivals | Everything You Need to Know About Tomorrowland Music Festival
- Chris
- Sep 1, 2024
- 12 min read
If you are an electronic dance music fanatic like I am, then you surely have heard of the following 3 words: TOMORROWLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL. As an American, it was a dream to fly over to Belgium to experience this iconic festival. In fact, DJ Mag rated it as the top festival in the world for 2024. I can personally say that this the most impressive festival I've been to, from the stages, the greenery, and immaculate production from a logistical standpoint.
The goal here is to share with you everything I've learned from my experience so you know what to expect in the future. I have created several sections in this post based on the topic, so feel free to use this as a resource when you plan your trip to the festival!
Tomorrowland FAQ & Practical Information
Everything you need to know about the festival can be found on their main website here, but I'll add a little bit more color to it. For folks who may not know, the music festival takes place within the De Schorre recreational park in Boom, Belgium, a town 1 hour south of Antwerp and 1 hour north of Brussels. In recent years, the festival spans over to multiple weekends in mid/late July.
When do Tomorrowland tickets go on-sale?
Pre-Registration starts around December, where you can create an account on the website and start finding out more about the ticket sales and available ticket types. Once you are pre-registered, you will receive an email around mid-January when the Global Journey Travel Packages go on sale. These are the pricier packages that bundle up transportation and lodging in addition to the Tomorrowland ticket. For example, they have flight, bus, hotel, and train packages, so you can decide whichever works best for you based on where you live.
The WORLDWIDE PRE-SALE took place the following week on January 27th, so expect the similar process in the future. The pre-sale just acts as a sale-wave where they open up a limited number of tickets at a lower price point, but it is available for all registered accounts to purchase. Selection is completely random so I wish you good luck on this process!
The WORLDWIDE TICKET SALE happened the week after the pre-sale on February 3rd. Prices for tickets and various packages are slightly more expensive compared to the pre-sale, but this is the absolute last chance of obtaining them from the official website. It is really a crapshot and tickets literally sell out within 30 minutes.
What are the different Tomorrowland tickets and packages offered?
There are 3 main tickets & packages you can select from:
Tomorrowland tickets
Dreamville Packages
Global Journey Packages
Tomorrowland Tickets
The cheapest option is the day pass, granting access to the festival grounds for one of the three days. There are three types of day passes: Day Pass, Pleasure Pass, and Day Comfort Pass. The differences lie in access to premium views, exclusive bathrooms, and food and drink services.
Next on the price point ladder are the full madness or full madness comfort passes, which are the 3 day passes. These passes are best for folks who has accommodations back in Brussels or Antwerp, or just want to experience this magical festival for a day or two. Note that these tickets do not give you access to Dreamville, which is this huge area specifically for folks who are staying here for the festival.
In 2024, the cheapest day pass was €129 and full madness pass was €304.
Dreamville Packages
Tomorrowland Dreamville packages for offer exclusive accommodations, from camping options to luxurious stays. They also offer unique amenities, enhancing your festival experience.
I'll summarize each of the packages in the table below, starting from the cheapest option:
Package Name | Description | Price (For the 3 days) |
Magnificent Greens |
| €381 - €820 per person depending on the tent package |
Camp 2 Camp |
| €510 - €836 per person depending on the tent package |
Friendship Garden |
| €440 - €500 per person depending when you purchased the package (pre-sale vs. ticket sale) |
Easy Tent |
| €552 - €969 per person depending on the tent package and when you purchased it (pre-sale vs. ticket sale) |
Montagoe |
| €986 - €2820 per person depending on the tent package and when you purchased it (pre-sale vs. ticket sale) |
Mousai |
| Unsure but definitely way too high of a price point for a 3 day festival |
For overseas travelers (ie. my fellow Americans), I would highly recommend looking into all of the pre-pitched tent packages so you don't have to worry about bringing your own. However, even if you have the Magnificent Greens tickets, you can still rent a tent for the weekend, or buy one at the village.
Global Journey Packages
There are 4 Global journey packages: flight packages, train packages, bus packages, and hotel packages.
Flight packages include a round trip flight to Belgium via Brussels Airlines which are emailed to you in advance, shuttle buses between the airport, festival, and lodging accommodation you select. All packages are also for a minimum of (2) people. For example, the flights in US Global Journey Flight packages leave the Wednesday/Tuesday depending on the city you’re flying from and arrive in Brussels Thursday/Wednesday morning. All flights also return Monday morning back to the US. The only thing that varies in flight packages are your lodging options in which you you can choose to stay at a hotel or camp in Dreamville.
Train packages offer departures from the following cites: Prague, Paris, Dresden, Duesseldorf, Berlin, Amsterdam, or London. You will have the same lodging options to choose from, from the various hotel price points to hostels to camping in Dreamville.
Bus packages offer more flexibility than train packages, with departures from 12 cities across six countries (France, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, UK, and Denmark). However, be sure to arrive early, as buses leave at a single scheduled time.
Hotel packages include the option to choose between hostels and various types of hotels in Brussels. You will have to find your own way to get to Brussels, but they do provide daily transfers from the hotel to the festival and vice-versa.
Festival and Lodging Experience
Festival Experience
Some music fanatics argue that Tomorrowland has become overly commercialized and expensive, especially when considering its humble beginnings in 2005. While it's true that the festival has grown from a niche event into a global brand, I don’t see that as a bad thing. What sets Tomorrowland apart is its exceptional production quality, a diverse music lineup that appeals to all types of EDM lovers, and its ability to draw a global audience. This evolution has only enhanced its appeal, creating a unique experience that brings people together from all over the world.
Stages
Let’s start with Tomorrowland’s iconic stages, particularly the main stage, which stands as a testament to the festival’s commitment to creativity and quality. Designed and built entirely by their in-house creative team, the main stage is a masterpiece that evolves each year. While they pay tribute to the festival's history by reusing some themes and stage names from previous years, the backdrop is always refreshed with changes even if ever so slightly subtle.
DreamVille
Dreamville is a collection of the different camping sites, the Marketplace, and the Gathering. The festival entrance is all the way to the left on this map, and it takes roughly 35 minutes to walk to Magnificient Greens, the colorful area on the right side of the map. The middle is where the Marketplace and the Gathering (the pre-festival stage where surprised DJs perform the night before) is. The marketplace has a whole supermarket, camping store, hair salon, tattoo parlors, and most importantly to me, a number of A grade food vendors. You can wake up to a nice açai bowl in the morning, pasta or burger paired with a nice vodka based cocktail for lunch, and some Belgian fries (and probably more cocktails) to end the night. There was also the infamou gym and workout area for people who do not want to skip leg day at the festival.
I stayed in Magnificent Greens, and brought my own tent, air mattress, and collapsible camping chair. I have to say, this is the best and most budget-friendly option if you want the full festival experience. As I mentioned earlier, you can also rent tents too. I only brought mine because I wasn't sure how reliable their tents were if we were stuck in a rain storm; I at least trusted my rainfly and tent since it is a legitimate one for backcountry camping. DreamVille opens a day before the festival kicks off, so I made sure to arrive early, pick up my wristbands, and secure a prime camping spot.
The setup process at DreamVille is impressively organized. Each section is roped off, and festival staff gradually open up areas for campers to set up. For instance, they start with the green section, allowing people to set up tents in designated areas. After a few minutes, they move the rope back another 20-30 feet, letting the next group move in and set up. This method keeps the process orderly and prevents the chaos of a free-for-all. You can still walk around to scope out where you want to settle before it's your turn.
I ended up in the red section, close to the lockers, first aid, and a shower tent—an ideal spot if you want to be near essential amenities. My advice? Arrive early. The later you get there, the further you'll be from the main areas, which could make your festival experience a bit more challenging.
Bracelet and Pearls
I started noticing this trend a few years ago but more and more music festivals are going cashless, which I appreciate as a consumer. It is one last thing you can worry about and you may not even need to bring your wallet into the festival. When you get your bracelet, you can simply put money online before you arrive or go to any of their recharge stands to complete the transaction. "Pearls" is the official currency, and is the only way to pay for food and beverages at the festival. You can still use your credit card at the Marketplace.
The exchange rate came out to 1 Pearl = €1.82).
Showers and bathrooms
When you think about attending a camping festival, hygiene is probably one of the first concerns, right? I came prepared with a stash of wet wipes for emergencies, but there's no need to worry—Magnificent Greens has you covered with several shower tents scattered throughout the grounds. A warm, refreshing shower costs just 3 pearls. However, there’s also a free outdoor shower option for those who prefer to keep things simple. Personally, I relied on the outdoor shower all weekend. It was quick and convenient, with no lines, and easy to just walk up in board shorts for a refreshing rinse. While it might not be everyone’s choice, I can confirm that it delivers a surprisingly thorough clean.
The bathrooms at Tomorrowland deserve a special mention. The cleanliness was exceptional, thanks to the diligent efforts of the cleaning staff who kept them pristine throughout the festival. I’ve never seen festival bathrooms this spotless. Old Spice had a significant partnership with Tomorrowland this year, which added a unique touch—volunteers were stationed at some bathrooms, offering sprays of Old Spice deodorant and even sunscreen. Tomorrowland truly sets the standard for cleanliness, and I’m not the only one who thinks so—it’s hands down the cleanest music festival I’ve ever attended.
Advice for First Timers
I will offer some thoughts here for people who would love to go in the future.
It will be extremely hard to get tickets - be prepared to pay a huge premium from travel partners or Viagogo, a 3rd party reseller
Tomorrowland is the world's most popular music festival, and for good reason. However, its immense popularity makes getting tickets from the main sales incredibly challenging. If you find yourself dealing with FOMO after missing out on the official sale, there are other ways to attend—though they can be more expensive. One option is to purchase tickets through Tomorrowland's official global travel partners, which you can find listed on their website. These partners operate out of various countries, so it's essential to find the one designated for your country. Be aware that they may require you to confirm your residency or even fly out of specific cities as part of the package.
Personally, I ended up buying my tickets through Viagogo (who is owned by StubHub) right after the worldwide ticket sale had ended, and I’ll be honest—this was probably the most stressful part of the entire experience. Tomorrowland explicitly states that buying tickets from third-party resellers is illegal, and you risk not being allowed entry. Despite this, I decided to proceed after doing extensive research—asking for advice in Tomorrowland WhatsApp and Facebook groups, reading through Reddit threads, and consulting others who had used Viagogo.
Yes, I encountered a few stories of people who purchased from Viagogo and couldn’t get their bracelets at the festival. However, I found that many more people reported no issues at all. I can personally confirm that I received my bracelets without any problems. At the bracelet pick-up booth, the staff simply asked for my confirmation and where I bought the bracelets. When I mentioned Viagogo, they didn’t ask any further questions.
The only downside of buying from a third-party seller is missing out on the cool souvenir box that Tomorrowland usually ships to your house. However, the pick-up process at the festival was exactly the same as for those who purchased through the official website and chose will-call pick-up
What to pack and wear
Everyone has their own taste and style, so I’m not here to tell you what to wear at a music festival. However, I did try something new this year—a kimono. It was my first time wearing one, and despite the heat, I loved the look. Plus, it kept me comfortable as the night cooled down. I also brought my 2022 Electric Forest jersey and a pashmina for my Day 2 look. Both are good options to combat the sun.
That said, here are a few essentials you shouldn’t forget, especially considering Belgium’s unpredictable weather. While it can be scorching hot in July, it’s also not uncommon to get caught in a rain shower.
Must-Have Festival Essentials:
Rain jacket or cheap poncho: Be prepared for those unexpected downpours.
Fan: To stay cool during the heat of the day.
Sunglasses: I went with a budget-friendly pack of heart-shaped sunnies from Amazon, which were fun and practical.
Hat: Essential for combating the sun.
Fanny pack or sling bag: Perfect for keeping your sunscreen, wallet, and other essentials close at hand.
If you’re staying in a pre-pitched tent or bringing your own camping gear, don’t forget these items:
Camping Essentials:
Bathing suit: Ideal for taking advantage of the free outdoor showers.
Toiletries: All the basics you’ll need to stay fresh.
Drying towel: A must for those outdoor showers.
Sandals or flip-flops: Easy to slip on for quick trips to the showers.
Power bank: Essential for keeping your devices charged.
Speaking of power banks, Tomorrowland offers a convenient rental service. You pay a hefty deposit plus a service fee, and if you decide to keep the power bank instead of returning it, the deposit essentially covers the cost of purchasing it. I rented one after exhausting my primary power bank, though I found that it only provided one good charge before running out of juice.
Have no worry, however, since there is a grocery and camping store within Dreamville, so you can always buy it there if you forgot something or purposely not pack certain things. I bought an extra chair for the weekend and then donated it back to the festival when I left since I couldn't bring it back to Barcelona.
How much money should I put in the bracelet?
Festival food will always be sold at a higher price point, and I had to rely on them since I did was not afforded to bring my own jet boiler to cook food back at the campsite. To give you a very rough idea, I added an additional €400 to my bracelet for the 4 days I was there (2-3 meals a day, snacks, beverages, etc.) Obviously not all of it went to food & beverages since I bought some things from grocery store and rented the power bank, but overall the food quality was great for what we were paying. You can always top-up your bracelet at various locations if you run out of pearls, and you even get the unused pearls refunded back to you at the end of the festival.
Live Today, Love Tomorrow, Unite Forever
I went into this experience thinking it would be a one-time adventure, but after being immersed in the magic of Tomorrowland, I’m not so sure anymore—especially with many of my friends already planning to go next year. Music has always been, in my opinion, the ultimate medium for bringing people together. We may not all speak the same language, but we can certainly share in the joy of music and dance.
Tomorrowland’s motto, "Live Today, Love Tomorrow, Unite Forever," resonates deeply with me because it perfectly captures not only the spirit of the festival but also my own beliefs. It’s a reminder to live in the moment and savor every precious second. At the same time, it encourages us to carry the love and positivity beyond the festival gates. Music transcends borders, cultures, and differences, uniting us in a shared bond of memories.
While the kandi exchange (those colorful bead bracelets popular at North American festivals) was virtually non-existent here, that didn’t detract from the incredible connections I made. The sense of community was alive and well. We bonded with the Germans camping next to us over their delicious local beers, and my friend and I had some fascinating conversations with two Bulgarian guys who had completely different music tastes than ours. It was these moments of connection that made the experience unforgettable.
Tomorrowland isn’t just a festival; it’s a global gathering where people from all over the world come together, united by their love for music. After this, I can’t wait to see what next year brings.
I hope this blog helped shed some light on how Tomorrowland works. Feel free to leave questions or comments here if there are still things you are unsure about!
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