You know the saying: "Once a raver, always a raver!" It never leaves you.
While the Acid House generation eventually got careers, mortgages and started families, in lots of ways, many of them never really grew up - even if some might be grandparents now!
Maybe their legs don't last like they used to, the chemical imbalance in their brain has caused irreversible cognitive impairment, and they all suffer from a constant ringing in the ears, but put respect on their name.
This generation built the foundations of the scene and, given half a chance, can still go. That's why we won't deny them reliving their youth once a summer as they make the pilgrimage to Ibiza and show the kids how it's done.
If you sit proudly in the veterans camp but still yearn for a summer getaway, then this is the feature for you.
It's time to put in a call and get the band back together. These are Ibiza's best old school weekenders.
Slip Back In Time presents Old Skool Ibiza
Mid-May
2025 dates: 14 to 21 May
Affiliated hotel/s: Hotel San Remo, Hotel S'Estanyol (San Antonio Bay)
Music policy: Old school House, Trance, Hardcore, Drum & Bass, Jungle
May is a month that becomes a portal on Ibiza - one that sucks us back to the golden age of Acid House: pure wispy-eyed "back in the day" nostalgia.
Led by veteran rave commander Slipmatt, Slip Back In Time presents Old Skool Ibiza welcomes back an established crew. Each year, an ever-growing list of new recruits is added to its escapades.
Built on a foundation of club classics, you'll hear uplifting vocal House, Ibiza anthems, Trance, '90s Rave, a smidgen of Drum & Bass and Jungle and even a little '80s Soul and Reggae woven throughout a seven-day smorgasbord of absolute tip-top tunage, diluted only by untold antics not fit for publication.
Though greying, Slip Back's crowd never truly grew up and, predictably, many show the signs of wear and tear as evidence. These are worn more as medals of honour than scars. Forever committed to the rave, the crowd are the epitome of veteran clubbers. Bravo if you can keep up.
2025 line-up: Slipmatt, Seb Fontaine, Brandon Block, K-Klass, Shades Of Rhythm, Nicky Blackmarket, Dolly Rockers, 2 Bad Mice, Chalkie White, Uncle Dugs, Alex P, Rob Tissera, Rat Pack, SL2 and many more
Top tip: Watch out for Slipmatt's headline booking at One More Time, which usually falls over the same period
Groove Odyssey
Mid-May
2025 dates: 15 to 18 May
Affiliated hotel/s: The Palm Star Ibiza, Hotel Puchet, Azuline Bergantin (San Antonio Bay)
Music policy: Soulful vocal House, Funky House, Deep House, Soul
Curiously taking place over the same period as Old School Ibiza (maybe this is what Holly Johnson was singing about when he sang "When two tribes go to war"?), Groove Odyssey has a lot of crowd and music overlap.
Brought to you by seasoned promoters and brother DJ duo Bobby & Steve, Groove Odyssey has a sound that really embraces the sunshine.
Already well established on these shores, GO Ibiza is an annual early-season getaway which guarantees sun and those all-important Ibizan vibes. On the music agenda is soulful Deep House and uplifting vocal House, with splashes of Disco, Rare Groove and R&B flavours.
Palm Star is a beautiful venue where you can relax on Balinese beds, cool off in the pool or get amongst it in front of the DJ booth. It's even serviced by its own on-site club, Sundara, making the option of a late night always on the cards.
A highlight of Groove Odyssey is always its takeover of Eden. Past years have seen sets from Dave Lee, DJ Spen, Karizma, Jamie 3:36 and Ronnie Herel.
2025 line-up: TBA
Top tip: Don't pass up the opportunity of a pool party at The Palm Star. Not only is it one of the island's best hotel poolsides, but its Thai-inspired menu always goes down a treat.
Clockwork Orange
Mid-July
2025 dates: 16 to 21 July
Affiliated hotel/s: Island-wide - no centralised base
Music policy: Old school House, Trance and Disco
Due to its dyed-in-the-wool fan base and peak-summer timing, Clockwork Orange is arguably the biggest of the lot.
Danny Gould and Andy Manston's beloved party celebrated thirty years on Ibiza last summer and many of its regulars have been present each and every step of the way.
In its original format, CWO was part of the first wave of English promoters to find success on the island, reigning at Es Paradis between 1994 and 1999. To this day, it still holds the attendance records at the world's most beautiful club. With success came excess.
At the turn of the Millennium, Danny's battle with addiction drove him to the brink. Ultimately, this story has a happy ending. In 2014, Danny and Clockwork returned, both reborn. Now sober, Danny had discovered a new zest for life. And for the masses, their allegiance hadn't dampened in the interim.
Every year since, the Orange Army's annual Ibiza shindig is an unmissable event.
Clockwork Orange holds parties all over the island across six days of nostalgia-filled hedonism. There are sunset sessions, boat parties, day parties, club nights and even chilled gatherings (well, it is an ageing - and increasingly sober - dancefloor!)
2025 line-up: TBA
Top tip: If you want to attend the beach day at Tanit in Playa d'en Bossa, then you need to book a bed early. If you miss out, then don't despair. Just take a blanket and a picnic and get your own spot nearby on the sand. You'll find plenty of others doing the same.
Ibiza Trance Event
Late September
2025 dates: 22 to 28 September
Affiliated hotel/s: Central Park, Tropical, Florencio, San Francisco (San Antonio)
Music policy: Trance, Progressive House
Trance enjoyed its heyday in the late '90s and early Noughties, but once a summer, we get to relive that halcyon era. Every September, the global community descends on the Med for Ibiza Trance Event. Programmed by island-based promoter Supernova Group, this multi-day, cross-venue festival proves that the genre is still alive and kicking.
Historically, it coincides with the last night of Paul van Dyk's SHINE - Ibiza's only specialist Trance party. Another staple of this week is the annual Kevin & Perry reunion, featuring lookalikes of Harry Enfield and Kathy Burke's beloved comic characters.
This year, ITE is expanding. The action starts on Monday night with Clubland's closing party as a nice added bonus. Bigger than that, the itinerary now stretches to Saturday night as well, with the return of the mighty Godskitchen.
Global trends point towards a resurgence in Trance's fortunes, so who knows? Ibiza Trance Event could well get bigger and bigger, year after year.
2025 line-up: Paul van Dyk, Aly & Fila, much more TBA
Top tip: Upgrade to a balcony access ticket for the Kevin & Perry Experience so you can grab the occasional respite from the chaos of the dancefloor
It's always worth remembering you don't stop dancing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop dancing.
Whether you are travelling as part of a planned itinerary or are marching to the beat of your drum, visit our party calendar for everything confirmed so far. Much more will be added in the coming weeks.
WORDS | by Stephen Hunt and Hayley Morgan
