Ultra Music Festival officially returned to Miami’s Bayfront Park on Friday, March 27, marking the high-energy start of its 26th annual event. An estimated 150,000 electronic music fans packed the venue to kick off the three-day celebration, which is scheduled to run through March 29. The opening night featured heavy-hitting performances from global stars including Steve Aoki and Sara Landry, who kept the crowd moving well into the night.

The evening’s biggest highlight was a rare and massive back-to-back set from Martin Garrix and Alesso. The duo dominated the Main Stage, drawing the largest crowd of the day with a seamless mix of their most famous tracks. According to reports from CULTR, the performance solidified the festival's status as a top-tier destination for dance music fans, even as the city prepares for two more days of sold-out shows.

However, the massive turnout has caused some friction with the local community. Residents in Downtown Miami expressed their frustrations to CBS News regarding the intense noise levels and significant traffic congestion surrounding the park. While the city benefits from the tourism surge, the Miami New Times reports that limited public access to Bayfront Park remains a major point of contention for locals during the festival's weekend-long takeover.