Tomorrowland & Pukkelpop Potential Shape Up for 2021

Current vaccination plans are running smoothly and we see that the infection numbers are falling. Nevertheless, the pandemic is still playing havoc with festival goers’ schedules. Just yesterday we found out that EDC Portugal is postponed until 2022. However, a shimmer of hope arises at the horizon. The Flemish government is optimistic that it will be possible to safely organize this year’s editions of Tomorrowland and Pukkelpop.

Just last Sunday on May 9, The Flemish government presented its Freedom Plan. This is a strategy for the progressive re-opening of various sectors, including music and entertainment, throughout summer. This is an attempt to return to normality by October. As is happening in most countries, the relaxation of restrictive measures comes in the form of a calendar regulated by the number of infections and hospital occupation and which, if all goes well, results in relief month by month.

Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, believes it will be possible to organize some larger festivals by the second half of summer. Most notably Tomorrowland and Pukkelpop. One of the key pieces to try to organize these desired events safely will be the activation of the so-called European ‘green certificate.’ This has already been discussed at the European Council over the weekend.

The scenario on the table is that to be able to participate in these events some criterias will have to be met. Firstly, it will be necessary to be fully protected by the vaccination (two doses) or undergo rapid tests every day. Secondly, access will be limited to European visitors (residents of the European Economic Area + the United Kingdom). Tickets have to be pre-purchased to enable tracing.

According to the Freedom Plan, large events can start to occur in July, under certain conditions like social distancing and mask-wearing. That month, 5,000 people will be allowed outdoors and 3,000 people indoors. In August, that number increases to 10,000 outdoors and 4,500 indoors. Tomorrowland and Pukkelpop with their respectively 70,000 and 60,000 capacity, are set to take place August and September. These are the last major Belgian events planned for this year.

Organizers of these two major events are cautiously optimistic. The news coming out of today’s meeting will be decisive to understand the real possibilities. Let’s stay tuned.

Photos Courtesy of Tomorrowland Facebook