ULTRA Europe made its triumphant return to Park Mladeži in Split, Croatia from July 8 –10, 2022, welcoming more than 160,000 attendees from 141 countries for the festival’s eighth edition.
Europe’s premier destination music festival featured four stages, with the Main Stage impressing attendees as a marvelous giant measuring 20 meters high and 80 meters long, with more than 500 square meters of LED screens and flanked by world-class pyrotechnics.
The Main Stage hosted a plethora of stadium-smashing sets; Friday’s closer Armin van Buuren graced fans with a rare, impromptu two-hour exhibition following performances by Marshmello, Afrojack, Vini Vici, SOFI TUKKER, Sam Feldt, and Frank Walker. On Saturday, the Main Stage welcomed DJ, producer, and live instrumentalist Timmy Trumpet to close out the festival in his ULTRA Europe debut, preceded by high-octane sets from Ultra veterans like DJ Snake, Alesso, Oliver Heldens, Nicky Romero, Krewella, and Mykris.
“Today, it’s more important than ever to show your love for one another, and music is one of the ways to do it!” Nicky Romero declared during his set, spreading an important message to ULTRA Europe attendees as well as the millions of Ultranauts watching the #ULTRALive broadcast.
Sunday’s Main Stage performers rounded out the stacked weekend of musical mayhem, helmed by Hardwell with his first festival performance since Miami’s Ultra Music Festival in March. Before Hardwell, Martin Garrix rinsed a bevy of unreleased songs into the adoring crowd, who were still buzzing from performances by Tiësto, Above & Beyond, Steve Aoki, ACRAZE, and Adam De Great.
ULTRA Worldwide’s esteemed techno and house concept RESISTANCE once again showcased the festival’s darker shades of underground sounds. Headliners ranged from Ultra flag-bearers Richie Hawtin, Adam Beyer, Joseph Capriati, and Marco Carola, to Amelie Lens and Nina Kraviz who hypnotized onlookers during their inaugural ULTRA Europe performances.
The musical adventures didn’t stop when ULTRA Europe finished – Destination ULTRA’s weeklong affair was still in full swing! The seven-day program welcomed attendees to experience Croatia’s idyllic islands, with NERVO headlining the Regatta Party at 585 Club, Bol, Brač on Monday, July 11.
Next up was a doubleheader at Hvar’s picturesque Carpe Diem Beach Club on Tuesday, July 12, commencing with the electro-fueled ULTRA Beach day party that hosted a surprise set from special guest Martin Garrix.
After Garrix exited the stage, RESISTANCE Hvar instantly kicked off, featuring house and techno beats from ANNA and Ilario Alicante.
Then finally on Wednesday, July 13, revelers danced under the stars at Vis’ Fort George for the Destination ULTRA Closing Party headlined by Michael Bibi.
ULTRA Europe 2023 will take place from Friday, July 7 – Sunday, July 9 at Park Mladeži in Split, Croatia. Tickets are on sale now here.
