As we prepare for the 25th anniversary of Ultra Music Festival, DJ LIFE breaks down five reasons not to miss this year’s upcoming UMF in Miami.
Ultra Music Festival Celebrates 25th Anniversary
This year marks a truly enormous milestone for Ultra Music Festival, which celebrates its 25th anniversary edition in 2025. Through the years, Ultra has taken place in several different locations within Miami, but there’s nothing quite like experiencing Ultra at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. Across three days, March 28-30, 2025, Ultra Music Festival will take over the space, transforming the park into a sprawling festival grounds that hosts more than 100,000 attendees across the 3-day span.
Stages & Curators
Just as they’ve done in their previous editions, Ultra continues to raise the bar with its stage curators and hosts in ’25. The sprawling festival grounds include the Ultra Main Stage, RESISTANCE MegaStructure, The Cove, LIVE Stage, Worldwide Stage, UMF Radio, and Oasis. This year’s celebratory festivities include some heavy-hitting takeovers, but would it be a true UMF without such an array of showcases that grace the various stages within the Bayfront Park festival grounds? Armin van Buuren returns with his annual A State of Trance takeover at the Ultra Worldwide stage; Vini Vici’s label ALTEZA Records presents the fest’s first-ever psytrance stage takeover; Area 69 by Australia’s underground maverick Patriboi69, Carl Cox Invites, Coone’s Dirty Workz label returning to UMF Radio for the fourth consecutive year, and more.
Headlining & Support Lineup
This year’s outstanding headlining talent is set to grace the many stages within the UMF grounds, including the always-breathtaking Main Stage, designed by longtime Ultra family member and talented visionary, Richard Milstein. Which artists are among those must-see acts DJ LIFE recommends you check out at Ultra 2025?
Following the first electronic music and DJ residency at the iconic new Sphere Las Vegas, Anyma will perform alongside Solomun, which is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated sets upcoming for Ultra’s 25th anniversary. In addition to Anyma b2b Solomun, we’re also looking forward to Armin van Buuren, Boris Brejcha, Carl Cox, Charlotte De Witte, deadmau5 b2b Pendulum, Dom Dolla & John Summit pres. Everything Always, Four Tet, Gesaffelstein, Gryffin, LSZEE, Massano b2b Chris Avantgarde, Mau P, Subtronics, Tiësto, Zedd, Sam Feldt, Four Tet, MORTEN, Nic Fanciulli, TOKiMONSTA, Frank Walker, among others.
RESISTANCE Return
In proper fashion, RESISTANCE returns to Ultra for what’s certain to be another unforgettable edition. Since its inception, RESISTANCE continues to evolve and expand, creating a festival within a festival that’s tailored to attendees who enjoy underground artists and techno sets. From the MegaStructure to The Cove, RESISTANCE at Ultra is an experience in itself – and one that absolutely shouldn’t be missed. A RESISTANCE highlight and one of the most anticipated sets ahead of Ultra ’25 is the global debut of Carl Cox’s “Evolution” live show.
Ultra-Exclusive Sets
Heading to Miami for Ultra Music Festival and its coinciding events, Winter Music Conference, and Miami Music Week? In keeping with tradition, Ultra once again is offering attendees a chance to catch dozens of sought-after artists exclusively at Bayfront Park. This means that none of the Ultra-Exclusive acts will be billed as talent for any other events outside of the fest. Which acts are among those slated to only be performing sets at Ultra this year? Exclusively catch these artists at Ultra ’25: Above & Beyond, Afrojack, Alesso, Anyma b2b Solomun, Armin van Buuren, ARTBAT, Axwell, Boris Brejcha, Carl Cox, Charlotte De Witte, Chase and Status, deadmau5 b2b Pendulum (DJ set), Dubfire presents EVOLV, Dom Dolla & John Summit pres. Everything Always, Four Tet, Gesaffelstein, Gryffin, Hardwell, I Hate Models, Joris Voorn, LSDREAM & CloZee pres. LSZEE, Martin Garrix, Mau P, Miss Monique, NERO, NGHTMRE b2b Sullivan King, Richie Hawtin DEX EFX X0X, Solomun, Stephan Bodzin, Subtronics, Zedd, Zeds Dead, and more.
Find more info and purchase tickets at ultramusicfestival.com.
Photos by aLIVE Coverage courtesy of Ultra Music Festival