Geel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Reggae festival Geel 2025 drew 36,000 visitors. Acting Mayor Pieter Cowé praised its smooth run. Police found 145 drug cases, 52 drugged drivers, 1 rape report, and made 3 arrests.
As VRT News reported, the city council of Geel is pleased with how this year’s Reggae Geel festival went. Around 36,000 people came to enjoy the weekend. Acting Mayor Pieter Cowé said everything went smoothly and calmly. He called it a top edition with very few problems, especially when compared to other festivals.
“At Reggae Geel, the focus quickly shifts to marijuana, while the problem at other festivals is just as big or even bigger.”
Pieter Cowe (N-VA), acting mayor
What happened at Reggae Geel beyond the music?
After the festival, police checked 103 drivers. They found that 52 had used drugs. Most had taken cannabis. Some had also used cocaine or speed, or a mix of drugs. Police said these results were very serious. Acting Mayor Pieter Cowé said this problem will be talked about with the festival team and emergency workers.
He said drugs and alcohol do not belong in traffic. He wants more people to know the risks. Cowé also said this happens at other festivals, too. More people are using drugs and alcohol at big events. The city wants better rules and more help to stop this from happening again.
Cowé said,
“Of course, when you think of reggae culture, you often immediately think of marijuana use. Part of that is perception, I thik. But the focus tends to be on that at this festival, while the problem at other festivals is just as big, or even bigger.”
Acting Mayor Pieter Cowé said that police were present at Reggae Geel during the whole event. They were there to keep people safe and to check for drugs. Officers walked around the festival and did focused checks.
They found 145 people who had drugs or were using them. Each person had to pay a fine right away. In one case, police saw someone selling drugs. That person was caught on the spot. The case was sent to the public prosecutor, who will decide what happens next.
Acting Mayor Pieter Cowé says,
“That’s why we’re also focusing on prevention and awareness, together with the festival organisers. For example, there’s Safe’n Sound, a booth from the Flemish Expertise Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs. People can go there with questions. We’re seeing more and more festivalgoers doing just that.”
Police said the festival went ahead without big problems, even though some serious things did happen. One woman reported being raped during the event. Eric Cenens from the local police said she was sent to the Sexual Assault Care Centre right away. Police are still looking into what happened. There were also 3 people arrested after some fights broke out.
Reggae Geel is Europe’s oldest reggae festival, first held in 1978 in Geel, Belgium. It attracts around 40,000 visitors annually and emphasises community, sustainability, cultural workshops, Caribbean cuisine and a commitment to responsible drug and alcohol use. Over the decades, it has hosted legends such as Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Ijahman Levi and newer talents like Protoje and Sister Nancy
At a music festival last year in another part of Belgium, police also had to deal with drug-related issues and public safety. Several people were caught with illegal substances, and a few were taken into custody after fights broke out near the entrance.
One festivalgoer reported a sexual assault, which led to a police investigation and support from victim services. Cars were towed due to illegal parking, and security teams had to step in multiple times to break up arguments.
