Take an inside look at Ultra Music Festival’s massive Miami kickoff
By Miami Herald newsroom
Ultra Music Festival opened Friday at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, turning the waterfront into a massive electronic music showcase with seven stages running simultaneously. Fans filled the grounds as music, lights and energy built throughout the afternoon and into the night, with most stages starting at 4 p.m. and the Live Stage beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Take a look at the Miami Herald’s visual story that captures the atmosphere of opening day, from the crowds to the artists to the wild outfits attendees put together. Sets by Illenium, Steve Aoki, BZRP, Vintage Culture, Armin Van Buuren, Alesso, Martin Garrix, Eric Prydz, Sara Landry, Major Lazer and others highlight a night defined by big production and packed audiences.
Take a look at some of the best moments captured by Miami Herald photographer Al Diaz:
Michael Schmitt, at center, arrives with his Miami co-workers dressed as cowboys to Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Maya Miknay, Eva Frenchowicz, and Johannan Berryman, seen left to right, dance in front of the World Wide Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Attendees Javiera Shae, Fernanda Fuentes Paola, and Jihoan Minwo Gu, seen at center left to right, joins friends as they pose at a statue displayed at Bay Front Park during Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Wearing, “Don’t Mess With the Chef” hats, Miami Chefs Carson Chambers, Michael Kaufman, Ollie Zigel, Tony Gutierrez, seen left to right, and Gavin in the back pose for photographs during Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Kenna Hovey and Skyler Bunting, seen left to right, dance in a mist from cooling fans at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Lainey Diodato, at right, takes in the scene with frineds at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Emily Lenaz and Carlie McCoy dance at the World Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
EDM fans sit on the Ultra name dispaly near the Main Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Shelby Dover of Colorado Springs shows off her tatoos at the Main Stage during Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Ultra attendees react during the performance by Illenium at the Main Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Ultra attendees react during the performance by Illenium at the Main Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
The Main Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
The Main Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Rosy Sanchez and Addel Perez dance during the performance by Illenium on the Main Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Ultra attendees react during the performance by Illenium at the Main Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Ultra attendees react during the performance by Illenium at the Main Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Mea Adams, at center, reacts with fellow EDM fans at the Main Stage during Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Michael Sonrot of Poland, takes in the scene at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Lainey Diodato arrives at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Alexandra Guillen dances to the beat by Afrobeta on the Live Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Afrobeta performs on the Live Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Dani Buhot of Fort Lauderdale dances at the World Wide Stage during Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Ultra attendees react during the performance by Illenium at the Main Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Ultra attendees react during the performance by Illenium at the Main Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published March 28, 2026 at 5:45 AM.
