The Ibiza season has been extending longer and longer every year. This summer 2018, though, with the various game-changing events, refurbishments and new entries, is kicking off right from the start of May - and boy is it looking hot.
With many of the super-clubs welcoming clubbers already on the first days of the month, May is full-on. Have a look below and judge for yourselves. Then try to choose - if you can, that is.
The Heartbeat Of The Island opening parties
Friday 4, Saturday 5, Fri 11, Sat 12, Fri 18 and Sat 19 May 2018
Pacha Ibiza
From 23:59
The first super-club on Ibiza kicks off the month and season. Pacha re-opens its doors with The Heartbeat Of The Island after a renovation that saw it closed for the first winter in years. To make up for it, the famous twin-cherry venue will burst back into life with not one but six massive opening parties.
The first three weekends in May will be on fire with six all-night-long sets by global stars. Party-starter Hot Since 82 sets the whole thing into motion on Friday 4 May with Cocoon head honcho Sven Väth on Saturday 5 May.
The following weekend sees the multi-talented Seth Troxler on Friday 11 May and deep house maestro Dixon on Saturday 12 May, followed by Fatboy Slim on Friday 18 May and techno sovereign Solomun on Saturday 19 May. All but the last one are free for residents before 2:30.
The Zoo Project opening party
Sunday 6 May 2018
Benimussa Park
From 17:00
One of the island's favourite day-to-night-time parties, The Zoo Project gets its season started on the first Sunday of May. For its opening fiesta of the 2018 season, Laura Jones and Shaun Reeves of Visionquest will be going back-to-back for the first time ever. Also on deck duty, we have Stephane Ghenacia, Thomas Roland, resident Miller, island-favourites Mate, as well as Jeancedric and Luca Serra until late. With multiple areas and a wild atmosphere, this festival-style event is a guaranteed blast. Try it to believe it.
Opening party
Saturday 12 May 2018
Amnesia
From 20:00
Legendary club Amnesia starts welcoming clubbers for the 44th year earlier than usual in mid-May this time around. With a massive line-up that spans a wide segment of the electronic music spectrum, you will find plenty to love on that opening night. Luciano, Richie Ahmed b2b Davide Squillace, Luca Donzelli and others will bring techno and tech house to the Terrace. For more tech house and even a bit of bass, head on over to the Club Room where DJ EZ, Hannah Wants, Disciples, Detlef b2b Latmun, Caal and Les Schmitz will be taking care of business. Pretty much a must, this date goes on any clubber's calendar. Get there early and go the long run.
Unusual Suspects opening party
Thursday 17 May 2018
Sankeys Ibiza
From 23:59
After keeping us all hanging the entire winter, Sankeys re-opens its doors with Unusual Suspects. In new hands, the famous underground haunt is saving the details but you can expect a no-nonsense approach to genuine underground techno, tech house and house. Playa d'en Bossa will be staying up late that night.
Official opening party
Friday 18 May
Ocean Beach
From 12:00 to 22:00
While the sparkling seaside beach club is already open with its cool Poolside Sessions, the official opening party for Ocean Beach Ibiza takes place on the third Friday in May. Besides the delicious cocktails, plush sunbeds and fine dining, expect the ultimate shows with dancers and acrobats flying in from the sky, the best summertime tunes and a matching atmosphere. It's worth splurging on your own VIP bed here.
Opening party
Friday 18 May 2018
Es Paradis
From 22:00
That same night, stay in San Antonio and head on over to Es Paradis for the opening party. Now in its 43rd season, this sparkling super-club ranks among the prettiest on the island. For its first fiesta of 2018, the award-winning Sebastián Gamboa, Ibiza favourite Brandon Block and two of the island's finest resident DJs Clara da Costa and Jason Bye will be taking care of tunes.
ANTS take-over opening party
Saturday 19 and 26 May 2018
Ushuaïa Ibiza
From 14:00
For its opening party, Ushuaïa Ibiza teams up with its most successful party ANTS for a two-day takeover on consecutive weekends. Already among the most popular openings of the season, this bash promises to beat its former records. On the decks for the first date, we have ANTS mainstay Andrea Oliva, Apollonia, Dublin, Steve Lawler, Nic Fanciulli, Paco Osuna and UNER. The following Saturday sees techno heavyweights Richie Hawtin, Adam Beyer, Maya Jane Coles, Andrea Oliva, Hito and Francisco Allendes taking over the luxury open-air venue.
Defected opening party
Sunday 20 May 2018
Eden Ibiza
From 23:59
San Antonio super-club Eden first opens its doors with Defected In The House on 20 May ahead of opening officially on 23 May. After last year's success, the popular residency returns with the honour of getting the club going for 2018. The Defected line-up is always remarkable, and the opening party is no different. You can shake your booty to Amine Edge & Dance, DJ Haus, Jacky, Low Steppa, Sam Divine and label boss Simon Dunmore blasting the mammoth VOID sound system.
Circoloco opening party
Monday 21 May 2018
DC10
From 16:00
For ultimate clubbers who like their parties raw and dirty, the Circoloco opening party is the way to go. Now in its 20th season, the mammoth event gets ultra-busy, and it's no surprise why. Among the many techno and house giants in for the event, we have Seth Troxler, The Martinez Brothers, Ben Klock, Damian Lazarus, Jackmaster, Tania Vulcano, Apollonia, Guy Gerber, Joseph Capriati, Gerd Janson, Konstantin, Dubfire, Richy Ahmed, Clive Henry and Cirillo. Get there early to indulge in it from dusk until dawn. You'll make the most of it and get to experience it without the bulge.
HEART opening party
Thursday 24 May 2018
HEART Ibiza
From 23:00
The opening party of the arty Marina Botafoch nightclub HEART Ibiza calls on Damian Lazarus & the Ancient Moons, Satori and Guy Laliberté as tune-masters for the night. The venue brings together the finest in culinary, artistic and musical talents for a full-blown multi-sensory experience. With its postcard terrace overlooking Dalt Vila and the port of Ibiza, HEART provides myriad ways to party through the night.
IMS Dalt Vila
Friday 25 May
Dalt Vila
From 17:00 to 23:59
Undoubtedly one of the cherries on the cake of the month is the one-off yearly event IMS Dalt Vila. Marking the end of IMS Ibiza, one of the leading electronic music conferences in the world, this is the ultimate open-air party. Not often does one get to dance open air in the middle of a UNESCO world heritage site overlooking the Mediterranean while the sun sets. Seriously, it doesn't get much better than this. For the soundtrack, a series of back-to-backs make the event even more divine. With Pete Tong b2b Bedouin, Paco Osuna b2b Andrea Oliva, Nastia b2b Dubfire, Jackmaster b2b Peggy Gou and Danny Tenaglia b2b Guy Gerber, dreamy tunes are guaranteed.
Opening party
Friday 25 May 2018
Privilege
From 23:59
That same weekend, one of the hottest of the season, the biggest super-club in the world Privilege re-opens its doors. After an epic closing party last year, the behemoth venue brings in a slew of talent to launch clubbers into the summer. For its opening party, Faithless (DJ set), David Morales, Danny Avila, Lovely Laura & Ben Santiago, DJ Oliver take on the ginormous Main Room. Meanwhile, Sasha b2b Kölsch, Darius Syrossian, Guti (live), Nick Curly and Joshua in the Vista Club will all be making extra sure you have the time of your life.
Black Coffee / Hï Ibiza Opening
Saturday 26 May
Hï Ibiza
From 23:59
Still on that last weekend of May, Hï Ibiza explodes into action with Black Coffee on its opening party. The main man brings in some of the finest underground talent out there, with &ME, Audiofly, Blond:ish, Guy Mantzur, Housekeeping, Mandar, Salomé, Serge Devant and Themba handling your soundtrack for the night. The newest and slickest super-club on the island also boasts some of the most cutting-edge production around. And, if you want to start earlier, ANTS takes place across the street at Ushuaïa. How perfect is that?
BONUS
Boat parties
While there are no official openings here, the boat parties call for a special mention. These early-season treats are already running in May from both San Antonio and Playa d'en Bossa. With all types of vibes, you are bound to find the one for you. Mid-spring makes for some of the most gorgeous days and crystal-clear waters of the summer.
Plenty more is actually going on in May, but we had to stop somewhere. See our party calendar for full listings and details of every nightclub and party on the island.
