ULTRA South Africa Celebrates 10 Years of Dance Music with Sold-Out Shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg – 2026 Dates Announced
ULTRA South Africa officially turned 10 in spectacular style this past weekend, drawing thousands of Ultranauts to sold-out shows in Cape Town on May 9 and Johannesburg on May 10, 2025. This historic milestone was not only a euphoric celebration of global dance music but a powerful tribute to the decade-long legacy of ULTRA in South Africa.
From the moment the gates opened, energy was sky-high in both cities. Fans poured into The Ostrich in Cape Town and the Expo Centre, Nasrec in Johannesburg, fully immersed in a night where lights, sound, and soul collided.
Star-Packed Lineup Sets the Tone for a Legendary Celebration
At the heart of ULTRA South Africa 2025 was an unforgettable lineup of global headliners and local legends. Martin Garrix closed the night with a show-stopping set, elevated by surprise appearances from Lauv and Lloyiso, who brought the crowd to its feet. Armin van Buuren, a longtime ULTRA favourite, delivered an emotional and high-powered journey through trance and big room sounds, leaving the audience breathless.
ISOxo, one of electronic music’s rising stars, made his South African debut, igniting the stage with his bold, genre-blending sound. Meanwhile, KSHMR created a cultural crossover moment by remixing South African anthems like ‘Sister Bethina’, ‘Jerusalema’, ‘I Fink You Freeky’, and ‘Nkalakatha’ into his signature high-octane set.
The RESISTANCE stage continued its legacy of delivering deeper, darker vibes. From Mind Against and Massano to South Africa’s own Shimza and Culoe De Song, the stage pulsed with hypnotic Afro-tech and melodic techno, a spiritual and sonic experience for the underground faithful.
Cape Town to Jozi: A Tale of Two Cities
Cape Town’s scenic backdrop at The Ostrich set the tone for the weekend, where performances by Dean Fuel B2B Kyle Cassim, Gil Glaze, Niskerone, and MIA highlighted local talent and homegrown passion.
In Johannesburg, ULTRA pulled out all the stops. With additional stages like The Groove Room and Clubhouse, the Joburg edition was a festival within a festival. Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, DBN Gogo, and Da Capo brought Amapiano and Afro house to the forefront.
The Groove Room was the breakout star of 2025, spotlighting acts like Oscar Mbo, Dlala Thukzin, Mörda, and 2woBunnies, giving fans a taste of SA’s hottest sounds. Dlala Thukzin stole the show with hits like ‘Ama-Gear’, ‘iPlan’, and ‘iMali’, leaving the crowd chanting “Dlala Thukzin!” long after his set.
Meanwhile, Clubhouse hosted unforgettable sets by Kasango, Shamiso, and Mpho.Wav, creating a warm, vibey space that pulsed with rhythm and connection.
As I would put it:
“ULTRA was proper — top-tier production, international-level setups, every stage was packed, from the main stage to Amapiano. It felt like two festivals in one. The Joburg event? Just wow.”
#UltraSA2026 – Dates Announced!
ULTRA South Africa ended the anniversary weekend on a high note by announcing the 2026 dates at the end of the Johannesburg show:
- Saturday, April 25, 2026 – Johannesburg, Expo Centre, Nasrec
- Sunday, April 26, 2026 – Cape Town, The Ostrich
Pre-registration is officially open and closes on Sunday, 25 May 2025, at 23:59 SAST. Fans are urged to sign up early to get first access to ticket releases and lineup updates.
ULTRA South Africa 2025 was more than just a celebration — it was a decade-defining moment in South African music culture. With eyes now firmly on 2026, one thing is certain: the next chapter of ULTRA will be even bigger, louder, and more unforgettable.
Follow ULTRA South Africa on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X for updates, artist announcements, and ticket info.
