Tomorrowland announces 2018 dates, theme: Music festival will be magically nautical

Tomorrowland 2018 poster for "The Story of Planaxis"Facebook/Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland has announced the new dates for its 2018 shows, which will come with a brand-new nautical theme.

Titled "The Story of Planaxis," next year's Tomorrowland invites its thousands of fans to be a "part of this fascinating new adventure and discover a magnificent new world." A planaxis is a small genus of small sea snails and marine gastropod mollusks, which means the 2018 theme would have a nautical feel.

As tradition, the storybook festival will come back to its home in Boom, Belgium for two consecutive long weekends — that's Friday to Sunday from July 20 to 22 and July 27 to 29, 2018.

First held in 2005, Tomorrowland has become an annual three-day celebration of magic, music and innovative storytelling. It is widely known for its all-out production that transforms its holy grounds, depending on its theme for the year.

This year saw the "Amicorum Spectaculum," a carnival that brought together the best of Vaudeville, steampunk, vintage vibes and a top of the class modern light show.

After 12 years of impressive performances, Tomorrowland has become one of the world's largest dance music festival. What was once a one big weekend celebration was expanded to two long weekends in 2017 to accommodate the many festivalgoers who come from around the world. In 2017, the event welcomed at least 360,000 fans.

Last month, it was reported that Tomorrowland was hoping to expand its mega-event to Asia, particularly in Thailand. Bangkok Post talked to Kriengkrai Kanjanapokin, founder and group chief executive of Index Creative Village Plc, who said they were in talks with the music festival organizers regarding this move.

"Thailand is considered one of the highest-potential countries in Asia for world music events. We highly anticipate that the event will be held in Thailand in its 2019 or 2020 edition," said Kanjanapokin.

Tomorrowland admitted its team was looking for opportunities abroad, but there is no specific plan to bring it to Thailand soon.

"It takes time and a lot of research, as building Tomorrowland is like moving a small city of 60,000 citizens," said spokesperson Debby Wilmsen.

Pre-registration for next year's Tomorrowland will open on Jan. 9, 2018, while worldwide pre-sale will be available starting Jan. 27.