ULTRA South Africa Celebrates a Decade of Dance with Monumental Shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg

This past weekend, ULTRA South Africa marked an incredible milestone — a decade of unforgettable dance music experiences. The highly anticipated celebrations took place over two days, with the festivities kicking off in Cape Town on Friday, May 9, 2025, before heading to Johannesburg for a grand finale on Saturday, May 10. The two shows became a euphoric celebration of music, energy, and unity, marking 10 years of ULTRA magic in South Africa.

Fans in both cities turned out in full force, packing the venues from early afternoon until the final beat dropped at 2 a.m. With a lineup boasting some of the biggest names in electronic music, the 10th anniversary event was nothing short of spectacular.

The Unforgettable Lineup

Martin Garrix, a festival favorite and one of the world’s biggest DJs, closed out the night in Cape Town with an electrifying set that spanned his entire career. The crowd was left in awe when he brought out surprise guests Lauv, the American indie pop sensation, and South Africa’s very own Lloyiso, creating a moment that fans will talk about for years to come. As Garrix effortlessly blended his chart-topping hits with fresh tracks, the crowd could hardly contain their excitement.

The high-energy vibes continued with trance legend Armin van Buuren, who captivated the crowd with a flawless set featuring both classic hits and new releases. The legendary DJ’s performance delivered a mix of euphoria and pure joy that kept the audience dancing all night long.

Also making waves on the ULTRA stage was ISOxo, whose South African debut was a highlight of the event. With his genre-defying sound and relentless energy, ISOxo solidified his place as one of the most exciting emerging artists in the electronic music scene.

Meanwhile, KSHMR brought his own unique style to the stage, remixing beloved South African tracks like Sister Bethina, Jerusalema, I Fink You Freeky, and Nkalakatha, creating a cultural crossover that had the crowd buzzing.

RESISTANCE Stage: Underground Beats for True Dance Music Fans

For those with a love for deep, underground sounds, the RESISTANCE stage provided a captivating experience. Known for its darker, more melodic offerings, this year’s RESISTANCE lineup was a masterclass in Techno, Progressive House, and Afro-house. International talents like Mind Against and Massano delivered intricate, soul-stirring performances, while South African heavyweights Shimza and Culoe De Song brought their signature Afro-tech and Afro-house styles to the stage, paying homage to the country’s massive influence on the global dance scene.

A Tribute to South African Electronic Music

Both Cape Town and Johannesburg embraced the spirit of South African electronic music throughout the weekend. In Cape Town, the picturesque views at The Ostrich set the stage for an unforgettable day, with South African talents such as Dean Fuel B2B Kyle Cassim, Gil Glaze, and Niskerone energizing the crowd from start to finish. The event also featured a powerful opener by MIA, setting the tone for an action-packed day of music and celebration.

Johannesburg’s ULTRA South Africa experience was the larger of the two, held at the iconic Expo Centre, Nasrec. Here, fans were treated to multiple stages, including The Groove Room and Clubhouse. The Groove Room was dedicated to celebrating South African sounds, particularly Amapiano, with incredible performances by Oscar Mbo, Dlala Thukzin, 2woBunnies, and Mörda. This stage quickly became a fan favorite, proving that ULTRA South Africa continues to evolve and stay in tune with the country’s thriving electronic music scene.

The Clubhouse stage also returned to the festival, offering up unforgettable moments from artists like Kasango, Shamiso, and Mpho.Wav, ensuring the crowd was vibing well into the night.

A Monumental Year for ULTRA South Africa

Across both cities, ULTRA South Africa 2025 served as a powerful reminder of why the festival has become a cornerstone of South Africa’s music culture. It brings together fans from all walks of life to celebrate the music that moves them, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As the dust settled from a weekend of pure euphoria, the announcement of the 2026 dates brought even more excitement. ULTRA South Africa will kick off in Johannesburg on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Expo Centre, Nasrec, before heading to Cape Town on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at The Ostrich. Fans can expect another year of epic performances and unforgettable moments as the festival continues to grow and evolve.

As ULTRA South Africa celebrates its 10th anniversary, it’s clear that the best is yet to come.