The best Miami Music Week events to keep you up all night long
The influx of Miami Music Week events can be overwhelming, especially to the hardcore dance music fan. All these parties and concerts happening over the course of five short days is enough to induce a panic attack. But if you remain calm and be realistic, you can hit some of the best clubs in Miami, see some amazing late-night sets and still make it back to your Airbnb Miami home in time to get at least some sleep and—dare we say—perhaps a quick bite at one of the best breakfast spots in Miami. So pick and choose wisely. You can’t do it all, but you can do it right.
RECOMMENDED: Guide to Miami Music Week 2018
Best Miami Music Week events
Ultra Music Festival 2018
Miami Music Week’s biggest event—the longest-running dance festival in the U.S.—celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Expect three days of DJ sets, performances and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments and celebrity appearances. Ultra is in for another predictably huge year, as just about every mega-DJ you can name makes an appearance in the phase one lineup: Afrojack, Axwell Λ Ingrosso, Carl Cox, Steve Aoki, Porter Robinson, John Digweed and so many more. The live stage has some surprises too, including the highly problematic but very talented Azealia Banks. And reggae fans are no doubt jumping in their sandals over the addition of the Wailers featuring Julian Marley.
Maceo Plex, &ME and the Black Madonna
On Saturday, Space is the place to be for Miami Music Week. The famed 24-hour club has a stacked lineup including fan favorites Maceo Plex, &ME and the Black Madonna. Downstairs, a Kompakt Records showcase brings Kölsch, Patrice Baumel, John Tejada and SONNS to the booth. This one’s not going to end until well into Sunday.
Get Lost Miami
Get Lost has established itself as one of the craziest parties of Miami Music Week, lasting for a staggering 24-hours. It’s truly a marathon of a party, and this year’s lineup will see Damian Lazarus, Black Coffee, Carl Craig, Ellen Allien, Soul Clap, Kerri Chandler, Felix da Housecat, Guy Gerber, Kölsch and more go the distance.
Mau5trap Miami Music Week
Mau5trap, the label created by famed producer deadmau5, takes over Treehouse for its Miami Music Week showcase. The night’s talent includes BlackGummy, No Mana, Attlas, Eekkoo, HEYZ, Electrocado, Rinzen, Notaker and RHETT. Could there be a surprise set from the mau5 himself? Stranger things have happened. (Treehouse, 323 23rd St)
Dirtybird Players
Claude VonStroke brings his Dirtybird family to Club Space for a night (and morning) of nonstop beats. Expect sounds from CVS himself, as well as Justin Martin, Bruno Furlan, Tiga and more.
Hardwell
Dutch superstar Hardwell has the honor of spinning at LIV during what is the club’s first Miami Music Week since its massive renovation. Luckily, with Mr. Hardwell, LIV 2.0 is in good hands.
Rapture Festival
Want to escape the South Beach/Downtown crush? Rapture Festival overtakes the secluded Historic Virginia Key Beach Park for a night of sounds from Luciano, Guy Gerber, Chris Liebing, Art Department, RPR Soundsystem, Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren and more. Expect more of a camping vibe at this nature-friendly rave.
Marshmello
EDM’s masked dessert boy wonder hits up South Beach’s Story. Expect an atmosphere somewhere between VIP bottle-service and spring break blowout—with no shortage of crowd-pleasing (...wait for it) drops.
Above & Beyond
Just in time for Miami Music Week, the trance legends return for a third assault on the RC Cola Plant after previously selling out the venue twice last year. Expect the trio to leave it all on the dance floor on this final stop of their North American tour.
No Sugar Added
No Sugar Added—or NSA, if you’re feeling fancy—is always one of Miami Music Week’s most anticipated parties. This is NSA’s eighth year in Miami and, though the lineup is still to come, you probably won’t regret grabbing this ticket early.
Need some chow after a long night?
Check out the best brunches in Miami
These meals will have you ready to go—or slightly day-drunk off mimosas.
