Dancing Astronaut’s 15 can’t-miss sets during Ultra’s 25th anniversary

Well, it’s that time of year again. While the sun is still visible, the days are being spent glued to the Bayfront Park Live Beach Cam — an annual tradition for both Dancing Astronaut and Ultra attendees — as Ultra gradually moves back into position in preparation for its milestone 25th anniversary from March 28 – 30.

And as always, we’re helping to pass the time — before Ultra’s 2025 schedule arrives in full within the next week — by sifting through a laundry list of conflicts across all three days and naming just a few sets that should be amongst everyone’s plans during the final weekend of March.

Those aforementioned can’t-miss sets include Miss Monique, Maddix, Boris Brejcha, Alesso, Charlotte de Witte, Anyma back-to-back Solomun, Axwell, Skrillex, Hardwell, Carl Cox, Rafael Cerato, Odd Mob, Dancing Astronaut Artist to Watch in 2025 ALLEYCVT back-to-back Jessica Audiffred, Said The Sky and—of course—Martin Garrix. We’d like to acknowledge, however, the abundance of closing decisions during the weekend and while we are nodding towards some specific closer options, there are genuinely no right answers out of the countless worthy choices that can be made.

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When: Friday, March 28

Where: MegaStructure

One of the first places that we’ll be once Ultra’s 25th anniversary formally commences is the MegaStructure when Miss Monique returns to Bayfront Park for a second year in a row.

When: Friday, March 28

Where: Worldwide

We had to miss Maddix at the same stage the year prior but will not be making that mistake twice when he reunites with Armin van Buuren’s A State Of Trance before he closes the night with a back-to-back-to-back alongside the label head and Oliver Heldens.

Boris Brejcha

When: Friday, March 28

Where: MegaStructure

It’s been three years since the high-tech minimal king touched down at Bayfront Park. And in 2025, Boris Brejcha is trading The Cove for the MegaStructure where he’ll appear second to last on Ultra’s opening day.

When: Friday, March 28

Where: Mainstage

Earlier this year, Alesso had shared that the reason for his brief hiatus in previous months was due to a severe case of tinnitus. But he’s back. It wasn’t the same without Alesso at Bayfront Park in 2024, but order has been restored for Ultra’s 25th anniversary as we prepare to hear the greatest song of all time in person once again.

When: Friday, March 28

Where: MegaStructure (closer)

Two years after the queen of techno rewrote Ultra history by playing the MainStage, she’s back. Charlotte de Witte will return to Bayfront Park on March 28, turning in the iconic bay view for an indoor setting as she receives the honor of shutting down the MegaStructure on the first evening of the weekend.

When: Saturday, March 29

Where: Mainstage

Ultra began trickling out its 25th anniversary lineup with an unexpected back-to-back set announcement. And after Solomun appeared on the bill for one of Anyma’s final shows at the Las Vegas Sphere earlier this month, the two will formally reunite on the Ultra MainStage for their first official set together.

When: Saturday, March 28

Where: Mainstage

It wouldn’t be a list of Dancing Astronaut‘s can’t-miss sets at Ultra without the Axtone boss. After appearing with his two Swedish counterparts in 2023, Axwell will return to Bayfornt Park unaccompanied for the first time ever.

When: Saturday, March 29

Where: Mainstage

It’s been 10 long years since Skrillex last graced Bayfront Park with his presence. We sent out a happy tweet on January 15 unbeknownst to what would shortly follow. And what would ensue was the announcement that Skrillex would join Ultra’s 25th anniversary lineup for arguably the most awaited set of the weekend.

When: Saturday, March 29

Where: Mainstage (closer)

For the first time since Ultra 2022 — where he made his return following a four-year sabbatical — the king of Bayfront Park will return to closing duties. It goes without saying that Hardwell’s Ultra set is considered a can’t-miss performance every year, but excitement levels have never been higher considering he’d already confirmed the set will be “80-90%” brand new music, including his new single, “Sanctuary.”

When: Saturday, March 29

Where: MegaStructure (closer)

Ultra isn’t Ultra without Carl Cox. In 2024, the king of the MegaStructure took a rare off-year from his trip to Bayfront Park. But shortly ahead of last year’s edition, Cox already scheduled his return in 2025, later announcing that he would be debuting a brand new live show as his second of two sets at the MegaStructure on day two.

Featured image: Rafael Cerato/Instagram

Rafael Cerato

When: Sunday, March 30

Where: MegaStructure

Rafael Cerato is a name that has yet to ever step foot in Bayfront Park (as a performer at least). But on Ultra’s final day, the Diynamic signee will join Solomon’s MegaStructure takeover with opening responsibilities.

When: Sunday, March 30

Where: Worldwide

There’s an appearance of a Dancing Astronaut Artist to Watch in 2025 on the Ultra lineup this year and this list would not be complete without including said artist. And that name is ALLEYCVT. On the third and final day of Ultra 2025, she’ll go back-to-back alongside Jessica Audiffred for a must-see bass combination at Worldwide.

When: Sunday, March 30

Where: Mainstage

It would be an understatement to say that one of the hottest names in dance music that appears on Ultra’s 25th anniversary lineup has to be Odd Mob. And the mainstage will undoubtedly be flooded in the early afternoon of Ultra’s final day when Odd Mob makes his Ultra debut.

When: Sunday, March 30

Where: Live Stage

While there’s only one Live Stage act on our can’t-miss sets list, it’s one that’s more than worthy. Said The Sky has been a part of an Ultra weekend once before when he assisted ILLENIUM at Virginia Key in 2019. But in 2025, Said The Sky will make his solo debut on the final day of the weekend.

Featured image: Alive Coverage

When: Sunday, March 30

Where: Mainstage (closer)

We’ve waited over 10 years to be able to say this: Martin Garrix will be the final act of Ultra. We could sit and write a thesis-length explanation on why Garrix’s finale to wrap up the 25th anniversary has the potential to unseat 2016 as his all-time greatest performance. But the looming revival of “Inside Our Hearts” is all that needs to be said at this moment in time.

Featured image: Alive Coverage

Tags: ALLEYCVT, anyma, axwell, boris brejcha, carl cox, Hardwell, Jessica Audiffred, Maddix, Martin garrix, Miss Monique, Odd Mob, Rafael cerato, said the sky, skrillex, Solomun, ultra

Categories: Features, Festivals