The Ultra Music Festival 2024’s opening day came to an abrupt halt due to severe weather conditions. Thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds swept through Miami, prompting the event organizers to issue a safety notice. They announced, “For your safety, Ultra Friday is temporarily shutting down. Please calmly leave the park now.” This announcement was made around 9:00 p.m. local time on Friday, March 22, right before the Dutch producer Hardwell was set to take the festival’s main stage. The early shutdown, three hours ahead of schedule, led to the cancellation of performances by Fisher and Chris Lake as Under Construction, Armin van Buuren, Amelie Lens, Joris Voorn, and Kolsch. Chris Lake expressed his disappointment on Instagram, stating, “Gutted that we couldn’t perform for you at Ultra tonight. Get home safe and we’ll see you soon.”
The festival is expected to reopen on Saturday, March 23, and continue through Sunday, March 24. The weather forecast for Saturday in Miami predicts thunderstorms until 3 p.m. local time, with skies clearing up partially by Sunday.
Ultra Music Festival, a staple event at Bayfront Park since 2001, attracts approximately 55,000 attendees daily. The 2023 edition reported a turnout of 165,000 festival-goers from over 100 countries, with an additional 42 million people tuning into the festival’s livestream.
Looking ahead, the lineup for the remainder of the weekend boasts an impressive roster of artists including David Guetta, Peggy Gou, Eric Prydz, Nora en Pure, Steve Aoki, Seven Lions, Madeon, San Holo, Calvin Harris, Orbital, and many others, promising an unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts.