Party islands don't come bigger than Ibiza. At what other holiday destination can you party every night and day from Easter to Halloween? No matter the day of the week, clubbers are spoilt for choice.
Yet there are still specific weekends that stand out as having that extra "wow" factor. Three or four-day stretches that we've dubbed ultimate Ibiza weekenders.
If you are looking to escape reality and dance your troubles away, nothing could be more of a getaway than an extended weekend break to Ibiza. Those in-and-out, whistle-stop breaks to the island are often our favourite type.
Jet in, drop bags, then squeeze as much partying as possible into 72 to 96 hours. Exciting.
BBC Radio 1 Weekend
For those unfamiliar, it’s an annual three-day celebration of electronic music, bringing together some of the biggest names in the industry, at your favourite venues across the island. It's probably the biggest weekend of summer.
From Friday 5 August to Sunday 7 August, we'll see a selection of the islands most beloved clubs taken over by the biggest radio station in the world. As we reach this midsummer milestone, it's safe to say that summer 2022 has absolutely flown by.
While some of the action will be broadcast live, other sets will be recorded for playback at a later date. What's without question, though, is that it's much better to be here in person than sat at home listening to the radio!
Schedule:
Friday 5 August | 23:59 | Defected, Eden San Antonio - OFFICIAL PARTY
Saturday 6 August | 15:00 | ANTS, Ushuaïa, Playa d'en Bossa - OFFICIAL PARTY
Saturday 6 August | 23:59 | Mon Cherie, Es Paradis, San Antonio - UNOFFICIAL PARTY
Sunday 7 August | 14:00 | Fatboy Slim Pool Party, Ibiza Rocks, San Antonio - UNOFFICIAL PARTY
Sunday 7 August | 23:00 | Pyramid, Amnesia, San Rafael - OFFICIAL PARTY
Friday night | Defected | Eden
Given the core demographic they share, Radio 1 linking up with Defected is a dream team.
Defected commits to keeping Fridays at Eden affordable, while the music remains accessible. Not only do the ticket prices reflect this (still only €25 if you buy before 23:59 on Tuesday 2 August), but this is equally mirrored in the line-up.
With a performance from Radio 1 mainstay, Danny Howard and his on-air colleague Arielle Free, plus rising talents John Summit, LP Giobbi and Jansons, a fun night without any pretension lies in store. TICKETS & MORE INFO
Saturday daytime | ANTS | Ushuaïa
ANTS has been invaded by hostile, interplanetary lifeforms this summer, but this Saturday the invasion all belongs to BBC Radio 1. Ushuaïa has been become a regular fixture during the weekend and, given its continued popularity, it's little wonder it's back for 2022.
This year's line-up includes Hot Since 82 b2b Andrea Oliva, Groove Armada, Richy Ahmed, Monki and Jamie Roy, all overseen by stalwart Pete Tong.
We're anticipating this to be the busiest party of the weekend. Even if you're on the fence now, you'll be getting FOMO come the day if you miss out! TICKETS & MORE INFO
Saturday night | Mon Cherie | Es Paradis
Es Paradis' Saturday night Mon Cherie isn't an official part of the Radio 1 weekend programme. However, for those of you making your way back to San Antonio from Ushuaïa, it's the ideal place to carry-on. Not least because former Radio 1 Hip-Hop presenter, Charlie Sloth, is at the wheel.
With his instantly recognisable twang and his ability to whip crowds into a frenzy, few DJs have finessed the use of the mic quite as perfectly as Charlie Sloth.
Always drawing a decent sized crowd, and playing the best in Grime, Drill, R&B and Hip-Hop - we gon' party all night with the Mon Cherie posse. TICKETS & MORE INFO
Sunday daytime | Fatboy Slim Pool Party | Ibiza Rocks
Again, officially, this isn't a part of Radio 1 weekend. Then again, it's absolutely no coincidence that Ibiza Rocks booked this for 7 August - and what a booking it is.
Fatboy Slim may be getting on a bit now, but never write him off. When he gets behind that DJ booth he has the energy of a thousand men and can more than keep pace with the whipper-snappers on the dancefloor.
The forever youthful, larger than life DJ is back once again with his ill behaviour at poolside. Unlike 2020 and 2021, this time there's no C****19 restrictions, which means full shenanigans. Would be rude not to... TICKETS & MORE INFO
Sunday night | Pyramid | Amnesia
Rounding off the weekend in style, our last pitstop is Amnesia. No trip to the White Isle is complete without a visit to this famous nightspot - and Radio 1 knows it. Sunday nights are all about Pyramid, and the big guns have been called in specifically for this special occasion.
One of the biggest DJs on the planet, Adam Beyer headlines the night, whilst calling on some pretty hefty support. He's joined by Geordie giant Cristoph, monster track producer Raxon and Radio 1's very own Sarah Story.
That isn't all. Next door, Techno speedway maniac Dax J fronts a bill that also includes Italian contemporaries Sam Paganini and Marco Faraone. Aside from the DJ talent, Pyramid is known for its laser shows, massive CO2 canons and avant-garde dancers. TICKETS & MORE INFO
Now that's what we call an ultimate Ibiza weekender. If you would prefer something not quite as intense, perhaps a little more high-brow and much more underground, check-out our alternative guide.
Whenever you're thinking of coming to Ibiza, head to our party calendar for all your clubbing options, select your holiday dates and get planning.
WORDS | by Stephen Hunt and Lissy Lübeck