One full month of parties has now been banked here on Ibiza, and the island is abuzz with energy. The Ibiza Spotlight ethos of "it's a marathon, not a sprint" is worth repeating as we head for yet another ramped-up week of clubbing antics. But hey, that's just us. On holiday, anything and everything goes - let your hair down!
Opening parties dominate the party calendar this week with formidable forces elrow, Calvin Harris, Black Coffee and Solomun flying in to kick-off their respective residencies. We also see the doors of Cova Santa open for this first time this year.
Summer is well and truly here and Ibiza is the place to be. Let's take a closer look at what weekend number five holds in store.
Calvin Harris opening party | Ushuaïa
Megastar Calvin Harris takes charge on what is sure to be one of the most explosive parties this weekend.
Starting his Ushuaïa residency on Friday 26 May, Calvin Harris is joined by remix-master MK (Marc Kinchen) who is on support duties for all 14 dates. As well as a one-off appearance from fellow Scotsman Ewan McVicar and new weekly warm-up Tyson O'Brien.
Last summer, Calvin Harris' run at Ushuaïa broke box office records and whilst recent smash hit Miracle continues to top radio plays, a sell-out event is guaranteed.
In the words of Calvin Harris himself, "we’re ready for the weekend!"
Also on at Ushuaïa this weekend, ANTS commands Saturday's daytime schedule with Andrea Oliva B2B Dennis Cruz, EDD, Illario Alicante and Latmun. No official carry-on this week for the colony, but...
Black Cofee opening party | Hï Ibiza
Grammy award winning DJ and producer Black Coffee reinstates his self-titled residence on prime time Saturday night slot in his Ibiza home base of Hï Ibiza.
Beginning 27 May, the South African hero leads a sonic voyage in The Theatre every week, through sophisticated House and Techno beats intertwined with tribal textures and worldly influences.
Meanwhile, The Club room falls at the helm of Crosstown Rebels label-boss Damian Lazarus and his kaleidoscopic selections. A mesmerising partnership of talent if we do say so.
Astra Club (Carlita B2B DJ Tennis), Fiona Kraft and Bartolomeo spice up the bill on opening night.
Glitterbox Sundays reign supreme at Hï Ibiza with S-Man Roger Sanchez, The Illustrious Blacks and veteran duo Heller & Farley set to bring sweet, sweet Soul and Disco bops to the dancefloor on 28 May.
elrow opening party | Amnesia
The weekend is set to take a C-R-A-Z-Y turn as the world's biggest party brand elrow parades back into Amnesia on Saturday 27 May. Presenting elrow's Nowmads theme, watch as the Terraza dancefloor transforms into a fanciful wonderland with confetti, inflatables and acrobats galore. Pure festival vibes!
DJs include Wade, Shermanology and resident groover Tini Gessler. Over in the Club Room, AKA elrow City, Chelina Manuhutu hosts all night long.
Following a smashed-out opening party last week, Do Not Sleep bounds into action with Eats Everything and Marco Faraone on Thursday before handing over to It's All About The Music on Friday night.
Mon Cheri opening party | Eden
Get your fix of hip-winding, booty-shaking R&B and Hip-Hop grooves as Mon Cheri strides into summer with assured swagger on Saturday 27 May. After debuting last year at Es Paradis, Mon Cheri makes an exciting move to San Antonio hotspot Eden and starts with UK rapper B Young.
From Drake to Beyoncé, expect Eden's newly upgraded DJ booth to be bouncing on opening night with a flirtatious crowd energy to match. There really is something to satisfy everyone's musical tastes here on Ibiza. MORE INFO | BUY TICKETS
Mon Cheri nestles itself between a ravenous House party sandwich of Defected on Friday and ABODE on Sunday.
Across both nights you can catch the likes of Low Steppa, Riva Starr, Offaiah, wAFF and Detlef.
Ibiza Spray opening party | O Beach
Staying in San Antonio, Ibiza Spray predicts a forecast of sparkling pink and white rainfall at O Beach starting from this Sunday. Soundtracked by sun-kissed House beats, glamorous go-getters will gather at the poolside poppin' bottles and making it rain.
You can quite literally live the champagne lifestyle at O Beach.
Talking of luxing it up, Saturday hosts the first of just two exclusive Kiss UK Pool Party happenings at O Beach. Get ready for a mix-up of hottest dance hits and fresh chart-toppers with the Kiss FM gang broadcasting live behind the decks.
Solomun +1 opening party | Pacha
Pacha is officially in non-stop party territory as the original Ibizan super-club fills out all seven days with a run of opening parties this week, topped-off by the return of Solomun +1 on Sunday night.
For the last decade, underground selectors of the highest stature have been handpicked by Solomun for a one-on-one night of Melodic Techno and ravey House under Pacha's dazzling cherries.
It's no secret that Solomun+1 is a firm island favourite, so expect a jam-packed dancefloor as Polish duo Catz 'N Dogz are enlisted to join Solomun for the opening night on Sunday 28 May.
Fellow mainstays make their 2023 debut on this week’s cherry-glazed programme. Hippy-fest Flower Power opens on Monday, Liverpudlian dons CAMELPHAT kick-off on Tuesday and Bedouin present Saga charms its way into the midweek on Wednesday.
It's all happening at Pacha in 2023.
Cova Santa
On Friday 26 May we make a debut venture to the San José hills for 2023 as Cova Santa opens its doors for the summer.
The deluxe restaurant cum open-air dancefloor offers one of Ibiza's most enchanting clubbing escapades. The line-up for the ceremonious Opening Party welcomes experimental selectors Agoria, Red Axes and Alex Kennon. MORE INFO | BUY TICKETS
Sacro by Mëstiza is set to seduce Saturday night with a hypnotic crossover of Spanish flamenco and ethereal electronic soundwaves for the first of six dates this summer.
Closing out Cova Santa's opening weekend, mystical full moon party Woomoon returns. Combining local craft market stalls, artisan performers and impeccable Deep House and Melodic Techno DJs, the Ibiza-born party is a staple event amongst the island’s kindred spirits.
Ibiza Rocks
At the "home of the pool party", Ibiza Rocks stays in safe hands all weekend long. Switch Disco are joined by Dom Townsend for Ibiza Anthems on Friday, before DJ Policy and Khadejia unfold another sexy summertime Applebum.
Earlier in the week, bling-tastic Tom Zanetti looks after his second date, with The Sound of Ibiza Rocks, Colada Club and Sunday Service filling the rest of the gaps during the week.
Club Chinois
A swoon-worthy weekend of happenings are set for Club Chinois.
NiiWA steps up to its 20-week summer debut on Thursday 25 May as one of Club Chinois' newest captures. A concept of underground connoisseur Ritual Collective, NiiWA embodies the nuance and hedonism of Berlin nightlife. Ahead-of-the-curve DJs supply the sonics with sets from Stavroz and Kollektiv Turmstrasse on opening night.
Friday night sees the return of Pablo Fierro's cinematic production We're Here and Saturday brings Laidback Luke, Wally Lopez and Michael Mendoza to Pure.
Earlier in the week, La Troya's exuberant dance energy rages on Monday 22 May and Keep on Dancing drops by for its second instalment on Tuesday 23 May.
Akasha
Hilight Tribe (live) is not to be missed on Thursday. The electro-instrumental outfit define their sound as "Natural Trance". Taking over the Las Dalias garden, they offer the chance to experience the band's sensual live music in an intimate setting. The party continues in Akasha from 23:00.
Visionari brings the magic on Friday with Fetheread Sun and Lum. Then on Saturday, Chambord and Bodaishin take things deep in the intimate club space.
Sunday day-to-night, things get funked-up as Vaughan, Hayden and Sunny present the second edition of Funky Aura Ibiza with a big headliner. Jon Sa Trinxa joins Willie Graff, Wronski and Melon Bomb's Scott Gray to get the party groovin'.
In true island fashion, the fun continues out at sea with plenty of boat parties on offer. Oceanbeat sets sail from Playa d'en Bossa, Thursday through to Sunday. Or you can hop aboard Pukka Up and Float Your Boat from San Antonio to chase the sunset.
As always, our party calendar is your trusty sidekick in planning an unforgettable Ibiza trip. Which dancefloors will we catch you at this weekend?
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Andrei Oprescu, Mario Pinta and Alberto Alcocer
