Ultra Music FestivalWeekMar 27 to 29
Friday, March 27, 2026
Ultra Music Festival is one of the world's premier electronic dance music festivals, held annually in March in Miami, Florida. Founded in 1999 by Russell Faibisch and Alex Omes, the festival has grown from a modest one-day beachfront event into a globally recognized multi-day electronic music extravaganza that attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees from around the world. Ultra takes place in Bayfront Park in downtown Miami and is renowned for its spectacular stage designs, pyrotechnics, state-of-the-art sound systems, and lineups featuring the biggest names in electronic music, including Tiësto, David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, The Chainsmokers, and countless others. The festival typically spans three days in March and coincides with Miami's Winter Music Conference and Miami Music Week, transforming the city into a global hub for electronic music culture. Ultra has expanded internationally with editions in Ibiza, Croatia, South Korea, Brazil, Japan, and other locations worldwide.
History
Ultra Music Festival was conceived in 1998 by Russell Faibisch and Alex Omes, who wanted to create an electronic music event that could rival the scale of European festivals. The first edition took place on March 13, 1999, on a single stage at South Beach, drawing approximately 10,000 attendees. In its early years, the festival was a one-day event aligned with the Winter Music Conference. By 2001, Ultra had moved to Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, where it has remained. The festival expanded to two days in 2006 and three days by 2012, reflecting the explosive growth of electronic dance music worldwide. Ultra played a key role in popularizing EDM in the United States during the 2010s, featuring early US appearances by artists such as Swedish House Mafia, Avicii, and Deadmau5. The festival survived challenges including regulatory disputes with the city of Miami, which led to a relocation to Virginia Key in 2019 before returning to Bayfront Park. Ultra has been broadcast globally via YouTube and SiriusXM.
How It's Celebrated
Attendees experience Ultra Music Festival across multiple stages featuring different electronic music genres including house, techno, trance, dubstep, drum and bass, and more. Festival-goers dance from afternoon until midnight, immersed in elaborate stage productions with massive LED screens, lasers, fireworks, and special effects. Beyond the music, attendees explore art installations, interactive experiences, and vendor booths. Many extend their trip to participate in Miami Music Week's numerous club events and pool parties. The global community of electronic music fans converges on Miami, creating a vibrant atmosphere of shared musical passion. Attendees often wear colorful festival attire, bringing flags representing their home countries. Live streaming of performances allows millions worldwide to participate virtually.