Written by Parisa Homayoun

I don’t think anything truly prepares you for Ultra weekend until you’re standing in the middle of Ultra Music Festival, surrounded by thousands of people, feeling that first bass drop hit your chest. And now that it’s over, I’m still replaying moments in my head like it was all one giant dream.

From the second the gates opened at Bayfront Park, the energy felt different this year—bigger, louder, and somehow even more electric than before. Every stage had its own personality, and no matter where you wandered, there was always something pulling you in.

One of the most unforgettable moments of the entire weekend had to be John Summit’s closing set. The production alone was insane—perfectly timed visuals, massive drops, and fireworks lighting up the Miami skyline like it was the finale of a movie. The crowd energy during that set was unreal. It felt like everyone around me knew we were witnessing one of those Ultra moments that people will talk about for years.

Another standout that deserves all the hype was the iconic Amelie Lens b2b Sara Landry set. Watching two powerhouse women command the stage together felt bigger than just a performance—it felt like a statement. The energy between them was pure unity, not competition, and you could feel that message ripple through the crowd. It honestly felt like a celebration of women in the industry supporting each other and pushing the sound forward together.

Beyond the big headline moments, Ultra is always about the little surprises too—the random sets you stumble into, the friends you make while waiting for water refills, and the moments where you stop and just take in the skyline, the lights, and the music all at once. The layout made bouncing between stages doable, but the crowds definitely peaked during the biggest sets, so planning ahead made a huge difference (especially if you were GA).

And something that stood out again this year was Ultra’s commitment to sustainability through their Mission: Home initiatives. Seeing refill stations everywhere and eco-focused activations around the grounds made it feel like the festival is growing in the right direction—not just bigger, but smarter too.

Now that the weekend is officially behind us, there’s that bittersweet feeling that always comes with the end of Ultra—exhausted, sunburnt, slightly emotional, but already thinking about next year.

Ultra 2026, you really outdid yourself. Same time next year? 💃🔥

Photos are credited to Ultra