After two long years off, Ultra Music Festival is finally set to return March 25-27! After relocating in 2019, UMF is returning to its longtime home at Bayfront Park in the heart of downtown Miami. Fans from around the globe will be treated to unforgettable performances from some of the most elite DJ talent in the world including Martin Garrix, DJ Snake, Kygo, Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Carl Cox, Illenium, KSHMR, a yet-to-be revealed secret guest, and so many more.
Whether you’re making the trip to downtown Miami for the tenth time or the first time, there’s a lot of boxes you have to check off before heading to the festival. We’ve got you covered here at Your EDM with this handy dandy Ultra 2022 Survival Guide. We’ll give you all the inside info on the best ways to get to the venue, where to stay in Miami, what to bring with you, tips for how to best enjoy the festival, and how to score some sweet exclusive merch as well. Without further ado here is your Official Survival Guide for UMF 2022.
Getting to the Venue
One of the coolest things about Ultra is its location in the heart of Downtown Miami. No need to take a shuttle or drive an hour to get to the venue, you can either take public transportation or just walk (depending upon where you’re staying). Get your MetroRail pass and you can take the free MetroMover and be dropped off right at the steps of Bayfront Park. Hours will be extended on the Metro to make sure that festival attendees can get home safely. Click here for more info on Miami MetroRail.
If you are staying farther away from Downtown Miami you can always take I-395, but expect delays. If you’re staying in Ft. Lauderdale or West Palm Beach you can hop on the Brightline and it will drop you off at Miami Central Station, a quick walk from Bayside Park. Trains depart hourly and service runs until 1 AM.
You can also be that person and take a water taxi (boat) to Ultra. You’ll dock in nearby Bayside, but Ultra recommends public transportation. Do not take your own personal boat (if you have one) to Ultra!
Where to Stay
Ultra just shared this map of hotels in the area, all provide easy access to the festival by Miami MetroRail. Click here for a list of all the hotels in Miami and its surrounding areas that Ultra has partnered with. No one’s stopping you from booking an Airbnb, but do so at your own risk, an Ultra verified hotel is the best way to go.
View this post on Instagram
What to Wear
Miami is a fashionable place, but for festivals, the best way to go is function over fashion. Miami has warm temperatures with lots of sun, and very high humidity. Wear loose fitting breathable clothing and be prepared to sweat. Wear comfortable sneakers/athletic shoes, you will be dancing all day and walking and on your feet without many breaks, now is not the time to break out large heels or go super casual with flip flops. You’ll want actual shoes. You probably can’t go wrong with bright colors. Dudes, this is your opportunity to rock that Hawaiian shirt.
For those ready to take their fashion to the next level, Ultra has teamed up with iHeartRaves for a very special Ultra Styled collection. These are not everyday fashions, these are designs strictly made to help you look the best and most unique you can at Ultra (or other festivals for that matter.) Order online or pick some merch up at the store that will be onsite at the festival.
What to Bring
Ultra is a festival that wants you to pack light. So long as all you’re bringing are your wallet, keys, sunglasses and some earplugs, a fanny pack is the route to go. If you need to bring more, you will need a clear bag that is no more than 13 x 17. You can also bring hydration packs that are not backpacks, they are Ultra’s recommended way to stay hydrated. Sorry, you can’t bring your hydroflask. Ladies, you can bring a small clutch bag.
Aside from the clear bag policy, one thing that is unique to Ultra is that there are no totems allowed. Do bring your flags and represent where you’re from or which label/artist you’re repping. Just don’t attach it to a pole. Lockers are also available onsite, order in advance to avoid lines at the festival. Click here for more info on Ultra’s bag policies.
How to Have the Best Time
Ultra is a massive festival and is also a great place to check out artists and stages you might not be familiar with. The Ultra mainstage is legendary, but check out the Resistance Stage, catch a set inside the mega structure. The Live Stage will also feature some of the biggest names in dance music including KSHMR, Madeon and Alison Wonderland, they’d be on the main stage at any other festival. The Worldwide stage will be home to Armin van Buuren and A State of Trance on Friday. Other artists to catch there include Jauz b2b NGHTMRE, Seven Lions, Zeds Dead and more. The UMF Radio Stage has also been home to tons of great stage takeovers. Some of the top labels in music will be showcasing talent there as STMPD and Gud Vibrations will be hosting Friday and Saturday respectively. Hardstyle fans rejoice as Dirty Workz will be taking over on Sunday.
Also make sure to download the Ultra Passport app to register your wristband and set your lineup once set times are released. Here’s an official map of Ultra to help you navigate your way around the festival grounds. Explore and step outside of your comfort zone, you might just happen upon a killer set and have a new favorite artist to check out.
View this post on Instagram
How to festival responsibly
If you’ve been to a festival before, you know what to do. If not, it’s common sense; pace yourself, stay hydrated, know your limits, take breaks and rest your body. Leave no trace, it’s one of the things that Ultra is stressing the most. Ultra is doing its part to engage the community and raise awareness about keeping the ecosystem clean. On top of taking care of your litter, Ultra is asking that attendees respect the plant and animal life in and around the festival. Attendees can also take recyclable items to the festival’s EcoVillage for rewards. Find out more about the festival’s sustainability initiative, Mission: Home, here. Officials at Ultra are also aware of the looming Coronavirus threat, read all about the precautions officials are taking here.
Tickets are still available for Ultra Miami here. We’re less than five weeks away from what promises to be one of the biggest and best installments of the festival to date.
