Every festival I cover as a music journalist reminds me how lucky I am to bring my passion for EDM to life. Of all the events I’ve been to, Ultra Music Festival remains my most-attended, and for good reason. From the moment the lights hit the stage to the final drop of the last set, the energy is unmatched. It’s a place where music, artists, and fans collide, creating memories you’ll never forget. Ultra feels like home, and the 26th edition was my favorite year yet.
Last weekend, Miami’s Bayfront Park welcomed over 150,000 dance music enthusiasts from more than 100 countries for three unforgettable days. Ultra continues to push the boundaries of production, redefining the festival experience worldwide, and 2026 was no exception. Following another sold-out weekend, the fan-favorite #ULTRALIVE stream hit a record-breaking 42.5 million viewers globally. Sustainability stands as a core value for Ultra and the RESISTANCE Cove stage made history as the first zero-emission, battery-powered stage at a major U.S. EDM festival. To top it all off, Miami-Dade County officially honored the international flagship festival by designating March 28 as Ultra Music Festival Day.
Ultra constantly reinvents its lineup, keeping every installment fresh and unpredictable. Nearly 80% of this year’s lineup were artists making their Ultra debut. As always, there was no shortage of memorable surprises. Whether it was BZRP bringing out Skrillex mid-set, Farruko joining Steve Aoki on the Main Stage, or Feid debuting a new collaboration with John Summit, Ultra exceeded all expectations. Even former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was spotted for Martin Garrix and Alesso’s legendary B2B performance.
The most historic set of the weekend was Swedish House Mafia’s ‘block party’-style mega set. Stemming from Steve Angello’s B2B with Sebastian Ingrosso, it was announced days prior that Axwell would complete the SHM trio, while original member Eric Prydz would join for a one-night-only appearance. Adding to the epic finale, Armand Van Helden, Kelly Lee Owens, Boys Noize, Afrojack and MPH also took the stage to close out Saturday’s festivities.
I may be a veteran, but after four years covering Ultra, I’ve come to expect flawless production, hypnotic light shows, towering stages, and the crowd’s infectious energy. This year, however, offered a new vantage point. For the first time, I interviewed three of Ultra’s biggest headliners just hours before they played the Main Stage. In those conversations, Ultra became more than a festival I was covering. It marked a full-circle moment, one that blurred the line between fan and journalist. Long before I became a music journalist, I was just a fan in the audience, taking it all in and losing myself in a world of music far from reality. Even as my career evolves, the fan in me will always be there.
My interviews with ILLENIUM, Martin Garrix, and Hardwell gave me a newfound appreciation for what goes into their performances; the meticulous preparation, the pressure of playing to tens of thousands of fans, and the vision guiding each track and transition. Their insights revealed the depth of their artistry, showing how every element contributes to a transcendent musical journey.
At the same time, these artists reminded me that beneath the spectacle of lights, sound, and stage production, there’s a human being like you and me. I’ve been listening to their music for over a decade, and sitting there, hearing their stories firsthand, is an experience I’ll never take for granted. No feeling compares to interviewing an artist and then watching them play in front of thousands of people. After my interviews, I gained a full understanding of what it takes to perform at Ultra, giving my perspective as a fan a whole new depth.
Ultimately, what set Ultra apart was how the festival flowed in perfect harmony. From start to finish, everything clicked into place with precision, leaving a lasting impression on festival-goers.
Ultra Music Festival returns to Bayfront Park next March 26-28, 2027. Click HERE to register for early access to tickets.