Ultra Music Festival returns to Bayfront Park in downtown Miami this Friday and runs March 28 to 30, 2025. Ultra is billing it as the 25th anniversary edition. I’ll be there, and this is what I’m looking at before I go.
The basics
Ultra takes over Bayfront Park for three days, with Miami Music Week going on around it. Recent editions have drawn about 165,000 people across the weekend, so expect it to be crowded and loud. This year’s schedule lists seven stages, from the main stage down to a small one called The Oasis for newer acts.
One practical note. Last year’s opening Friday was shut down early because of severe weather, and March in Miami can turn quickly. A poncho is worth bringing.
The lineup
The lineup has been out since the fall, and the day-by-day stage schedule is posted. A few things on it:
- Martin Garrix closes the main stage on Sunday. Hardwell closes it on Saturday, and Everything Always (Dom Dolla and John Summit) close it on Friday.
- Carl Cox hosts the RESISTANCE Megastructure on Saturday and is set to debut a new live show called Evolution.
- Charlotte de Witte closes the Megastructure on Friday, and Solomun closes it on Sunday.
- Armin van Buuren brings an A State of Trance takeover to the Worldwide Stage on Friday.
- Above & Beyond close the Live Stage on Sunday.
- Two back-to-back sets stand out on the bill: Anyma with Solomun, and deadmau5 with Pendulum.
I make progressive house and trance, so I expect to spend a lot of my time at the Live Stage and RESISTANCE.
Surprise guests
Ultra has a history of unannounced guests. Swedish House Mafia reunited as the surprise closing act in 2018, their first show together since 2013. In 2022, Hardwell walked out as an unannounced guest on the final night, his first performance in more than three years.
This year’s Sunday main stage schedule includes a slot marked as a surprise special guest. I don’t know who it is, and I’m not going to guess.
Set times and the full lineup are on the official Ultra Music Festival site. See you in Miami.
Update: I went. Here’s my recap of Ultra Miami 2025 from the crowd. This preview was also revised in October 2026 to correct lineup details.