Pre-registration for ULTRA SA 2026 now open until May 25, 2025 — don’t miss out

South Africa’s longest-running electronic music event, ULTRA South Africa, pulled off one of its most ambitious festivals yet this past weekend, marking ten years since it first exploded onto the local scene. A decade on, it’s clear ULTRA isn’t just an event — it’s become a ritual for dance music disciples.

The anniversary double-header shook both Cape Town and Johannesburg, delivering two high-voltage nights filled with pounding basslines, euphoric drops, and a mix of underground flavour and mainstream heavyweights.

A Headline Line-Up With Cultural Clout

The heavyweight bill featured no less than Martin Garrix, returning to top both cities with the kind of stadium-sized sets that have made him a fixture on the global circuit. His Johannesburg show saw surprise guests Lauv and Lloyiso join him on stage — a crossover moment that left jaws on the floor.

Armin van Buuren, a legend who barely needs introduction, proved his enduring relevance with a set fusing trance nostalgia and modern club anthems. And for those seeking something a little less predictable, ISOxo’s South African debut detonated both stages with genre-scrambling chaos.

KSHMR, ever the showman, brought a local twist, remixing cultural touchstones like Jerusalema and Nkalakatha, proving again that South African dance floors deserve global attention.

Underground Energy: RESISTANCE And Amapiano Smash It

For the heads craving something darker and dirtier, RESISTANCE delivered a serious masterclass in cutting-edge techno and Afro-house. Acts like Mind Against and Massano layered textured, melodic soundscapes, while homegrown legends Shimza and Culoe De Song reaffirmed why Afro-tech is one of the country’s greatest cultural exports.

And as expected, Amapiano’s reign continued in full force. The Groove Room and Clubhouse stages in Johannesburg packed out for performances by Kabza De Small, DBN Gogo, DJ Maphorisa, Da Capo, and Oscar Mbo — a powerful showing of how local soundscapes have taken over not just the streets but the global conversation.

Mark Your Calendars: ULTRA South Africa 2026 Locked In

The organisers wasted no time announcing dates for ULTRA South Africa 2026:

• Saturday, April 25, 2026 — Expo Centre, Nasrec, Johannesburg
• Sunday, April 26, 2026 — The Ostrich, Cape Town

Pre-registration is open now via this link and closes May 25, 2025, at 23:59 SAST.

For future line-up reveals and ticket releases, stay tuned to Ultra South Africa on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

Final Thought: As ULTRA SA leans harder into local genres and underground talent, is it still a global franchise or becoming a uniquely African dance institution?

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