Tomorrowland returns to Shanghai on October 17–18 with a bigger two-day experience, a stacked lineup and a fully immersive Planaxis world.
Tomorrowland is going bigger in Shanghai
The Magic of Tomorrowland is coming back to Shanghai this October, and this time, there’s more of it. Following the success of its sold-out debut in China, Tomorrowland will return to the city’s Huangpu District on October 17 and 18. The second edition moves into a revamped Hero Dome and expands the experience from a single day into a full two-day festival.
Presented together with Budweiser, and in partnership with Hero Esports and INS LAND, the Shanghai edition will once again blend electronic music with Tomorrowland’s trademark storytelling and production. But this year comes with a new setting, new experiences and a lineup that gives each day its own identity.
Two days, two different lineups
Rather than simply stretching one program across the weekend, Tomorrowland has created separate artist lineups for each day. October 17 will feature Axwell, Lost Frequencies, Morten, Bhaskar, Cassian b2b Kevin de Vries, Carly Wilford, DJ Sally, Hauzer, Linska and Nosi, with MC Stretch also joining the lineup. The following day shifts the energy with Alison Wonderland, Tiësto, Miss Monique, Joel Corry and ARTBAT b2b R3HAB among the names taking over the stage. Bhaskar, Carly Wilford, Evin King, Mansun Lui, Nosi and MC Stretch will also perform.
That gives fans a choice between two distinct festival atmospheres — or, naturally, a reason to stay for the entire weekend.
Welcome to Planaxis
This year’s edition takes its visual inspiration from Planaxis, Tomorrowland’s underwater world. The revamped Hero Dome has been transformed into an immersive visual environment, built around a huge 99-metre curved LED screen alongside 80 ceiling screens. Together, they are designed to surround the audience in a 360-degree underwater spectacle.
It is a significant upgrade from last year’s Paperworld edition, while keeping the sense of discovery that has become central to Tomorrowland’s events outside Belgium.
“We look forward to coming back to China for the second edition of The Magic of Tomorrowland. The first show was a huge success: from the incredible venue and the energy of the audience to our strong partnership with Hero Esports, INS LAND and Budweiser. We are thinking long term and look forward to continuing our journey in Shanghai. This year’s theme, Planaxis, invites fans to our underwater world. As with last year’s Paperworld edition, we are creating an experience that is completely new. While fans will recognise the signature spirit of Tomorrowland it will also feature elements created specifically for these shows. So if you want to see this stage, you have to go to the shows in China.”
– says Debby Wilmsen, Spokesperson for Tomorrowland
And that is perhaps the biggest appeal of the Shanghai edition: this isn’t simply Tomorrowland exported to another city. The experience has been shaped specifically for its local setting.
A new premium space at Hero Dome
The festival experience is also expanding beyond the main stage. For the first time, GA+ ticket holders will have access to Harbour Villa, an exclusive space designed for taking a break from the action while remaining part of the festival atmosphere.
Visitors can also expect curated Michelin food and beverage options, interactive brand activations and a wider selection of locally inspired merchandise created exclusively for the Shanghai edition. The result is intended to feel less like a conventional club night and more like a complete Tomorrowland world built inside the city.
Ten years of Tomorrowland and Budweiser
The Shanghai event also marks another chapter in the long-running relationship between Tomorrowland and Budweiser. Celebrating a decade of partnership, Budweiser will bring its Live music platform and on-site experience zones to the festival, combining music, drinks and the social side of nightlife.
The collaboration will also introduce a limited-edition Planaxis Budweiser Magnum, created specifically around this year’s underwater theme. For Budweiser China, the partnership is part of a broader strategy around music, nightlife and urban culture. The brand says it wants to connect Tomorrowland’s global music identity with Shanghai’s local nighttime economy and evolving entertainment scene.
INS SEA brings a new chapter to Shanghai’s riverside
The festival arrives at an interesting moment for Shanghai itself. This year’s edition coincides with the launch of INS SEA, a new entertainment area along the southern Huangpu Riverside. The project brings together several major sites, including the Shanghai KPL Esports Center and Hero Dome. For Hero Esports, the expanded Tomorrowland experience is part of a longer-term vision rather than a one-off event.
Following the response to the first edition, Hero Dome has been upgraded with its new 99-metre curved LED screen and immersive visual setup, creating a space designed to host large-scale entertainment experiences beyond this year’s festival.
Tomorrowland’s next chapter in China
Shanghai is becoming an increasingly important part of Tomorrowland’s wider plans for Asia. The move to a two-day format is a clear sign of growing demand, but the bigger story is how the festival is adapting its identity to a new market. From the Planaxis theme and locally inspired merchandise to the upgraded venue and Shanghai-specific experiences, The Magic of Tomorrowland is being built as its own chapter of the Tomorrowland universe.
For electronic music fans, the equation is fairly simple: two days, a heavyweight lineup and a completely new underwater world inside one of Shanghai’s most ambitious entertainment spaces.
Tickets are available through the official INS Land App and WeChat mini-program, as well as Damai, Ticket Planet, Juss Sports and Mei-Ta Selections.
