Ultra Music Festival Europe 2025 / 2026: An Electronic Spectacle on the Adriatic
Ultra Music Festival Europe, internationally known as Ultra Europe, transforms into the pulsating heart of electronic music on the very coast of the Adriatic Sea each year. Over a period of three nights, Park Mladeži in Split becomes a vast open-air dance floor, and an audience from more than 140 countries merges into a unique festival community. The vibrations of sound waves, the smell of sea salt, and the hot Dalmatian air combine into an experience that never leaves even the most discerning critics indifferent.Since its first edition, the festival has grown by geometric progression: the latest edition attracted about 150,000 party-goers, and interest is constantly growing thanks to a diverse program and extraordinary production standards. Official statistics show that in three days, economic spending in Split and the surrounding area increases manifold, while destination tourism records record-breaking results – making Ultra Music Festival Europe not just a musical, but also a socio-economic phenomenon.The lineup for 2025 / 2026 is adorned with star-studded names from the premier electronic league: Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, Hardwell, Tiësto, Alesso, Solomun, and Afrojack are just some of the main acts on the Main Stage. The underground brand RESISTANCE brings techno and house titans like Adam Beyer b2b Mau P, Amelie Lens, and ARTBAT, while Phase 2 reinforcements – Steve Angello, Gryffin, SOFI TUKKER, MRAK – further expand the genre spectrum. With a total of more than 150 performers spread across several stages, the audience can choose between melodic trance euphorias, the hardness of big-room drops, or the dark depths of techno – often all in one night.Attending Ultra Europe is not just a dance excursion; it is an immersion into an audiovisual world where LED screens of several hundred square meters, laser domes, and synchronized pyrotechnics create a futuristic scenography. Each set is accompanied by a high-caliber sound system whose frequencies are precisely adjusted to the open space of the stadium, ensuring crystal-clear sound even in the more distant zones. In the breaks between performances, party-goers can take a rest in the chill zones, try out VR installations, or board festival shuttle buses that connect Split with the nearby islands of Brač and Vis, where the accompanying events Ultra Beach and RESISTANCE Island are held.When it comes to tickets, the price structure in 2025 / 2026 offers flexibility for all visitor profiles: the Tier 4 three-day General Admission package costs €219, a one-day GA is €99, while VIP options start from €199 for one day and go up to €479 for the Premium three-day experience. The popular "Payment Plan" option has also been added to the sale, allowing a ticket to be reserved with an initial €39, with the remainder paid in several installments before the festival itself.
Why you need to see Ultra Music Festival Europe live?
- Spectacular performance – Every headliner brings a personalized production: custom intro videos, fireworks synchronized with drops, and exclusive mash-ups not heard at other festivals.
- Popular songs live – Sets regularly include global anthems like “Animals,” “Adagio for Strings,” or “Titanium,” but also fresh, unreleased IDs that fans eagerly hunt for on streaming services.
- Energetic connection with the audience – DJs come down to the front row barrier, sign flags and mobile phone cases, and crowd-control moments (“sit down – jump!”) turn the stadium into a pulsating sea of hands.
- Visual and stage elements – Double pyro-chains, CO2 cannons, and light tunnels create the illusion of a journey through sound, while 3D mapping on the main stage projects hypnotic geometric shapes.
- Audience reactions and reviews – Influencers and specialized EDM portals rate Ultra Europe as “one of the most production-advanced festivals in the world,” while visitors highlight the feeling of safety within the fenced festival area.
- Recent performances and tours – Hardwell made his big comeback on stage last year right in Split, and Tiësto premiered the live mash-up “Lethal Industry × Sandstorm” here to the ovation of tens of thousands of fans.
Lineup by day and exclusive guest appearances
Friday on the Main Stage is reserved for an eruptive opening where Martin Garrix and Alesso will share prime-time slots, while on the RESISTANCE stage, Adam Beyer will premiere a b2b set with Mau P – a collaboration fans are calling the “techno super-duo of the decade.” Saturday brings melodic euphoria: Armin van Buuren and Alok bring a trance-progressive eclecticism, and Carl Cox closes the evening with a three-and-a-half-hour hybrid set full of analog loops. Sunday culminates with Hardwell, Tiësto, and Solomun, while John Summit and ARTBAT simultaneously lead a house marathon on the Alternative Stage. A total of more than 150 artists will perform on seven stages over three nights, with special slots for regional talents to boost the local scene.
RESISTANCE and specialized stages
The umbrella brand RESISTANCE in 2025 / 2026 curates dark techno landscapes in a monumental 360° pavilion, where a 300 m² LED ceiling reacts to every kick frequency. The Parallel Stage, located next to the stadium's east stand, brings bass-oriented genres – from the drum & bass catharsis of Fred V & Grafix to the future rave explosions of MORTEN. The time-tabling is arranged to minimize headliner overlaps, allowing visitors a consistent “flow” without constantly sprinting between stages.
Satellite events on the islands of Brač and Vis
Ultra Beach Brač, a one-day “pool party” on Zlatni Rat beach, traditionally gathers 5,000-6,000 visitors with sunset sets like Kygo's tropical house anthems and Sofi Tukker's deep-house fusion. RESISTANCE Vis offers a more intimate techno retreat within Fort George, whose massive stone walls provide natural acoustics for unforgettable after-hours performances. Shuttle boats connected to the festival ring depart from Split every 30 minutes, and return tickets start from €29 for a one-day island experience.
Economic footprint and tourism boom
Scientific analyses note that during the week of Ultra Europe, the fiscalized turnover of the hospitality industry increases by up to 30%, while the taxi transport sector sees a jump of over 40%. A study by the Faculty of Economics in Split estimates that the festival multiplier generates about €14 million in additional spending through accommodation, gastronomy, and retail, confirming the event's status as a key driver of the local tourist calendar.
Accommodation and logistics within Split
Hotel rooms in the city center reach an average of €210 per night during 2025 / 2026, so organizers recommend early booking or an alternative in the form of festival camps (€69 for a three-day plot). The city has expanded the temporary parking zone at Kopilica and introduced 24-hour night bus lines, and festival wristbands function as cashless wallets that can be topped up online or at 20 top-up points within Park Mladeži.
Innovations and sustainability
Ultra Europe continuously implements “greener festival” protocols: reusable cups with a €2 deposit system, free drinking water stations, and a partnership with a local composting plant to process biowaste from the food court. A digital application gives visitors real-time insight into the crowd density at each stage, reducing unnecessary crowding and optimizing safety protocols. These measures have already reduced the amount of single-use plastic by 42% compared to the initial edition of the festival.
Most impressive moments from previous editions
- Hardwell's return – After a three-year hiatus, the DJ's emotional performance of “Spaceman” with a firework display of 1,200 projectiles became a viral EDM moment with over 50 million views on social media.
- Carl Cox's 360° set – The techno icon performed for three hours non-stop in 2019, blending acid classics with modern minimal groove, which many critics called a “masterclass in DJing.”
- Celestial drone show – In 2025 / 2026, a show with 500 synchronized drones is planned, which will form the festival logo and silhouettes of headliners above the stage during the final drop.
- Lifetime ID moment – Armin van Buuren tested an unreleased trance anthem, and the audience spontaneously lit up 30,000 phone flashlights, creating the “biggest natural lightshow.”
- Solomun's sunrise closing – The house maestro extended his set until 07:30 in 2022 with organic rhythms and Adriatic-inspired melodies, turning the stadium into a dance ritual under the morning rays.
Ultra Music Festival Europe 2025 / 2026 – How to prepare for the event?
The Ultra Europe experience is not just about buying a ticket – it's a complete experience that begins with planning your arrival. The festival location, Park Mladeži in Split, is in an urban part of the city and is extremely accessible, but many visitors from abroad and other parts of Croatia often look for the best possible solution for
accommodation in the immediate vicinity. Due to high interest, it is recommended to book accommodation at least 2-3 months in advance.
The city of Split offers a wide range of options – from hotel luxury and apartments in the center, to hostels and private accommodation in city districts such as Bačvice, Firule, Gripe, and Trstenik. All these locations are a 5 to 20-minute walk from Park Mladeži, making them an ideal choice for anyone who wants to get to and from the festival quickly and safely. The entire offer is available at the link
accommodation.
Festival logistics and navigation
Inside the festival complex, everything is designed for maximum flow – entrances are clearly marked and arranged by ticket type (General Admission, VIP, Premium), while a cartographic festival app shows the layout of stages, food and drink zones, restrooms, wristband top-up points, and chill zones. Wristbands are the only accepted form of payment within the zone, and they can be topped up with cash, card, or via the app.
Those arriving by car should be aware that parking around Park Mladeži is limited, so it is advisable to use the additional temporary parking lots at Kopilica and Lora, connected to the festival by shuttle lines that run every 15 minutes. If you are staying for several days, check for
accommodation with parking included.
What to bring and what to expect
Although the festival conditions are very well organized, there are some items that more experienced visitors will always bring with them: a battery charger (power bank), ear protection, a rain poncho, sunglasses, and a small bag for personal documents. The festival's mobile app also allows you to activate notifications for changes in the performance schedule and security alerts.
Within the festival area, there are also Info Points, First Aid, security teams, as well as psychological support through the "Safer Space" initiatives, whose volunteers provide assistance to people who are not feeling well or are under the influence of anxiety. Split as a host is extremely open and friendly towards festival visitors, and all key services are coordinated at the city level.
Interesting facts about Ultra Music Festival Europe you might not have known
The festival is part of the global Ultra Worldwide franchise, which includes more than 30 events on all continents – from Miami to Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro. However, Ultra Europe is specific in that it is the only event within the Ultra system that has an official “Yacht Regatta” program, combining electronic music and yachting.
Another unique feature is the Ultra Passport, a digital loyalty platform that rewards loyal fans with points that convert into exclusive benefits, such as free entry to private parties, backstage tours, and limited-edition souvenirs. Among the most active members are precisely the visitors of the Ultra Europe festival, which further testifies to its uniqueness within the global EDM scene.
It is particularly interesting that Ultra Europe was the first major festival in Europe to implement 4D surround sound on the smaller “Arcadia” stage in 2016, while for 2025 / 2026, an AI-powered visual system has been announced that will generate real-time scenographies in reaction to the tonality of the music. This technological innovation further enhances the spectator experience.
Most famous collaborations and music icons
Many unforgettable moments of the Ultra Europe festival have arisen from spontaneous collaborations: Afrojack performed an impromptu b2b set with Steve Aoki in 2018, while in 2022 Kygo invited Sean Paul for a live version of “What Would You Do?”. The festival is also a place where unreleased songs are often premiered – Alesso presented “Somebody To Use” in 2021, and Armin van Buuren announced a new album right from the stage at Park Mladeži.
Ultra Europe is therefore not just a playground for partying, but also a stage where artists create history. In addition to music, the stage performance often includes experimental elements such as holograms, dance troupes, or thematically designed drone projections. These collaborations and innovations further enhance the value of the festival experience.
What to expect at the performance?
Entering the festival zone begins a transformation – the noise of the city is replaced by bass, light pulsations, and waves of euphoria. The main stage, designed in 2025 / 2026 in the shape of a 30-meter-high crystal dome, becomes the central point around which everything revolves. Sets lasting from 60 to 90 minutes alternate on stage, each bringing the specific identity of the performer.
The setlist changes from year to year, but most often includes global hits, the latest club anthems, and exclusive remixes. For example, Martin Garrix regularly closes his set with “High on Life,” while Armin often uses a medley of trance classics lasting 15 minutes. Ultra Europe is also known for surprise guest appearances – in past editions, Redfoo, Pitbull, and Zara Larsson have appeared as unannounced performers.
The audience and festival culture
The audience of the Ultra Europe festival is a mix of more than 140 nationalities. Statistically, most come from Germany, Italy, Sweden, Australia, and the USA, while in recent years there has been an increase in the number of visitors from Latin America and Asia. The average age is between 22 and 34, and fans of EDM, trance, house, and techno genres predominate.
The festival culture of Ultra Europe exudes tolerance, togetherness, and an aesthetic of freedom – from clothing and makeup to slogans on flags. Themed outfit days are regularly organized, and official merchandise includes limited editions of T-shirts, caps, and wristbands that can be purchased at festival stalls. Those looking for extra comfort choose the Premium zones with separate toilets, their own bar, and easier access to the stage.
If you haven't secured
accommodation yet, now is the right time as the most sought-after capacities fill up quickly. The festival also offers recommended accommodation partners, which may include benefits such as late check-out, shuttle transport, or festival packages with tickets. More information is available via
accommodation.