Only days removed from Ultra Music Festival 2025 and I am already buzzing, telling all those whom were privy to my stories they should make haste and secure their tickets for 2026 as soon as possible.
Some might believe I am only writing to rub in this historic weekend at Bayfront Park in Miami for my own ego. But when I say if you love live music and live for spectacle like I do – you can’t afford to miss this amazing weekend.
This being my second Ultra in a row, I am of the opinion the team behind this festival only improved further on the experience I had in 2024. And I can only believe they will continue this trend in 2026.
Here’s only a few of the things that really blew me away for Ultra’s 25th birthday.
1. The lineup
Ultra 2024 meant a lot to me namely because I was able to see so many of my favorite artists for my first ever adventure in Miami.
In the case of Slander, whom as of this weekend I have now seen 14 times…it was a rainy, yet historic Friday night of the festival to see them not only take main stage for the first time. But also to see them close it down with the sky coming down around us leaves me speechless to this day.
Seeing Gryffin at sunset on Saturday brought joy to my heart. And all the heavy flows coming out of Worldwide on Sunday were an exceptional contrast as well.
So how do you top that?
Get John Summit and Dom Dolla to brew up one of the funkiest sets I’ve ever heard or seen, their innate chemistry being undeniable.
Announce Skrillex mere weeks before the festival itself and his performance blows away all expectations. And as a guy who stepped into this music scene largely because of Sonny, my expectations were very high.
Close out a perfect night three with immaculate vibes provided by Above & Beyond at Live Stage. This being the first time I’ve seen them, the sentiment will stay with me forever.
Ultra Music Festival 2025 Live Streams
I kid you not when I say this was probably the best lineup of any festival I’ve ever attended, my only issue being I couldn’t be in multiple places at once. Whether you’re into dubstep, house, techno, or big room pop jams – Ultra has something for you. You could listen to an artist for the first time at Ultra and walk away a new fan like my experience with Above & Beyond.
2. Problem Solving
Night one of Ultra 2024 would see it get rained out and close one set early.
While disappointing, as a patron I am glad management is concerned about my safety. In 2025, we would see the beginning of day three see the same rainy day treatment and need a few hours to adjust.
Now, it would’ve been easy to just say the festival was over, too bad so sad. But the people running UMF did no such thing. Instead, they actually extended Sunday night to 11pm to make up for the lost time despite Miami city ordinances.
As a guy who runs his own business, I know what it’s like to think on my feet when things go wrong so the people utilizing my services get the best experience.
But the impression left extending the festival an hour later on day three is unreal to me.
The fact that the artists could be rearranged, the vendors would adjust for a later night in such a crazy city, and that nothing was made worse for the rain – that impressed me to no end.
Even on a smaller level, I felt like the cleanliness of the venue improved upon last year. The concession lines seemed to move faster and the employees working were diligent and friendly.
To sum this point up concisely, not one thing about my experience this year was worse than 2024. Everything, even down to how fast bathroom lines moved seemed to only get better. And when you’re managing entertainment for almost 120,000 people in a place like Miami – you have your work cut out for you already.
3. Being the Best Part of Miami Music Week
Unlike last year, I actually took the opportunity in 2025 to experience MMW in all its glory. So when I tell you that Ultra was my favorite part, it’s holding up to some really cool and unique events. Whether it was going to Toejam Backlot, Factory Town…
MMW has left an impression on me. But for all those events, I was willing to skip or pass up on anything but Ultra.
I don’t just love the live music scene for the spectacle or for the rush of dopamine it gives me. I see these things as networking events and it’s surely the people that made the party for me once more.
When I say I walked away with dozens of new friends – I think I’m probably underselling it. The people that come to this festival are some of the sweetest, most fun one could hope to meet. The stages and the vibe of Bayfront Park is unmatched. I find myself looking back at the pictures I took this weekend in awe of the Miami skyline behind us (seen just above).
Something about the way the artists perform with energy that is only akin to this particular event. In a word, Ultra is different. Ultra 2025 sits on the tip top of my favorites. More than Orlando, Vegas, or anything I’ve done in Chicago – Ultra will be something I return to hopefully until my elder years.
Why You Need To Go
If you’re on this site, you’re into dance music. And if you’ve never done Ultra before, I am of the belief that you are missing out. Sure, there are lots of events and many of them are curated for a specific vein of EDM. But there is just something different about this one.
There’s something to the multicultural history of UMF and how it really brings out great people from all types of backgrounds. There’s magic to being in Miami and having the palm trees blowing in the wind all around you. With the spirit of the city right behind you and always within sight.
And there’s unique presence to watching your favorite dj/producer play Ultra that at least, I’ve never felt anywhere else. Seeing Crankdat and Slander respectively have these huge moments in their careers fills me with some really strong emotions.
Whether you’re into meeting amazing people, lineups of the most high profile artists today, I cannot recommend Ultra enough.
My advice is simple: make the investment. If it means not going out in your local town for a few months to save up the money to really get the most out of the best weekend in March, it’s worth the delayed gratification. Ultra is unlike any other festival out there and I consider all of us who call it home for three days to be some of the most fortunate music fans around.
So don’t just take my word for it…find out for yourself.
Get Your Ultra 2026 Tickets
