And it's finally here: Ibiza 2019 officially kicks off in a few days. Once May hits, one by one, the parties and clubs on the island open their doors and the season quickly picks up the pace. Woo-hoo.
As always, choosing where to greet the long-awaited summer nights can be a project in itself. That's all right, though. Here's a guide to some of the top opening parties to help you choose and be ready to party.
Pacha openings | Tiga
Friday 3 May from 23:59 until late
In perfect Pacha style, the famed super-club opens the season with not one but five opening parties. Each will have one class act playing an all night long set. The first three weekends of May are looking mighty hot.
The first one goes to Canadian techno star Tiga whose two decades of success make it a guaranteed blast. Can't make it? Worry not. Next up, John Digweed on 4 May, Paco Osuna on 10 May, Gerd Janson on 11 May and Mano Le Tough on 17 May will all be in to make extra sure that Pacha kicks off the season in grand style.
The Zoo Project opening
Sunday, 5 May from 17:00 to 2:00
Unleash your inner party animal. As the first outdoor event of the season and one of Ibiza's longest running parties, The Zoo Project opening party calls for a whopping celebration. The first diehard tourists and island residents come together to welcome Ibiza 2019 on those open-air dance floors. Yessss!
The event kicks off with techno heavyweight Ida Engberg, underground favourites Stephane Ghenacia b2b Thomas Roland, Tulum regulars Savage & She playing a live set and many more. Let loose and join the tribe.
Amnesia opening
Saturday, 11 May from 20:00 until late
Get ready to have a blast. One of the key dates of the summer, the Amnesia opening party bursts into action with underground superstars The Martinez Brothers, Adam Beyer, Luciano, Enrico Sangiuliano and more.
Celebrating its 45th season this year, the legendary super-club is bound to make the first fiesta of the season even more epic than usual, starting with a special sunset set. Pace yourselves, though - you will want to stay until the end for this one.
Music On opening
Thursday, 16 May from 23:59 until late
A new addition for the Pacha programme this year, Marco Carola's Music On kicks off at its new home and on a new night. Woo-hoo. His throng of followers cannot wait for it and neither can anyone else. As one of the island's fiercest techno bashes, it goes off wherever it lands.
Whilst the opening party line-up has yet to be announced, the now global sensation has an undeniable track record, bringing in techno heavyweights to match Don Carola's eclectic style. Bring it on.
O Beach opening
Friday, 17 May from 12:00 noon to 22:00
For some glamourous beachfront action, get into your fanciest beachwear and head on over to O Beach Ibiza starting with its opening party. You will be pampered in every way - from fashion shows to massages, fine dining to live performances and acrobatic shows. It's all here.
As we wait for its full line-up details, know that the event is normally soundtracked by a fine collection of feel-good house music. Regardless of who will be on those decks, dancing poolside has never been so dazzling.
Ibiza Rocks opening
Friday, 17 May from 14:00 to 21:00
Having established itself as "the home of the pool party," Ibiza Rocks Hotel explodes into action already in mid-May and with a massive bang, too. Taking daytime partying to another level, the San An venue means business right from the start with this opening party.
The first fiesta of 2019 will be in the hands of a fine collection of UK artists. These include the chart-topping Craig David, rapper Hardy Caprio, high-energy Krystal Roxx, expert selector Patrick Nazemi and more. Get in!
Defected opening
Friday, 17 May from 23:59 until late
Both a global and Ibiza favourite, Defected has made a name for itself for its no-frills, only house music ethos. Add to that its ultra-inclusive dance floor and friendly prices and bam - you've got yourself a heck of a party.
The party's opening kicks off with house key players MK, Sam Divine, Low Steppa, Loéca and head honcho Simon Dunmore. Celebrating its 20th birthday this year, the party also has many surprises in store. Friday nights at Eden are the way to go.
Odyssey at Ushuaïa and Hï Ibiza
From midday Saturday 18 May to midday Sunday 19 May.
Oh wow, oh wow! Ibiza's days and night of endless partying are back with this baby. Odyssey serves as both the Ushuaïa Ibiza Opening Party and the Hï Ibiza Opening Party, recreating those legendary clubbing marathon sessions that earned Ibiza the title of party capital of the world.
As to be expected, the line-ups are otherworldly, with some of the biggest names in electronic music. Amongst others, you have Tale Of Us, Stephan Bodzin (live), Paul Kalkbrenner (live), Peggy Gou, Denis Horvat at Ushuaïa until midnight.
After that, you don't have to go far. The party carries on right across the street at Hï Ibiza with techno masters Richie Hawtin, Damian Lazarus, Adriatique, Adam Port, ANNA, Chris Liebing, Mathew Jonson (live), more Tale Of Us and many others.
Do yourself and your wallet a favour and grab a 24-hour pass for this one
Circoloco opening
Monday, 20 May from 16:00 until late
The infamous Circoloco returns to DC10 for its 21st season. The opening party, as always, is one of the island's most popular events. You will want to get there early as the affair always attracts hordes of clubbers.
Even though the line-up remains under wraps, a multitude of underground techno superstars and heavyweights is guaranteed. As its slogan of this year confidently states, "Believe the hype!"
All Day I Dream
Thursday, 23 May from 18:00 until 23:59
Lovers of dreamy tunes and fairy-tale decor, here is one is for you. Touring worldwide, All Day I Dream brings its unique vibe and magical atmosphere to Cova Santa four times this summer. Doubling up as Cova Santa's official opening party, this party will be extra-special.
Head honcho Lee Burridge will be soundtracking the event, together with YokoO and Sébastien Léger. On the aural menu, emotive melodic and hypnotic deep house and deep tech will tell a story with sound that will take you on a musical journey as nothing else will. Yes, please.
HEART opening
Thursday, 23 May from 23:59 until late
In the five years since its appearance, HEART Ibiza has turned into one of the island's hotspots. Focusing on world-class electronic music, live performances, gastronomy and art, it kicks off the season with a grand opening party bound to get your own heart racing - pun intended.
Whilst the line-up for the event has not been unveiled yet, it is always impressive, as is its unique atmosphere and immersive floor-to-ceiling LED screen walls. Created by the Adrià Brothers and Guy Laliberté, the co-founder of Cirque du Soleil, all this comes as no surprise.
IMS Dalt Vila
Friday, 24 May from 16:00 until 23:59
One of THE events of the Ibiza summer, the grand finale of the International Music Summit, IMS Dalt Vila takes over the old part of Ibiza Town for one night only. This once-a-year open-air event - with sunset included - takes place within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And that's not even all.
Some of the most respected names in electronic music will be providing the soundtrack in a series of smashing back-to-backs. This year, these include Adam Beyer, Ida Engberg, Charlotte de Witte, Joseph Capriati, Pete Tong, Anna Tur, Nicole Moudaber, Luciano and others. The un/official start of the Ibiza season, it doesn't get much better than this.
Dixon presents Transmoderna opening
Friday, 24 May from 23:59 till late
Brand new on Ibiza, Dixon presents Transmoderna sees one of the finest underground DJs in the world taking over Pacha on Friday nights this summer. The opening party conveniently falls smack in the middle of one of the hottest weekends on Ibiza. How perfect is that?
Playing alongside demigod Dixon himself, Innervisions co-bosses and fellow divinity duo Âme will be among the first guests of the season, as well as Trikk, meanwhile Pvblic Xcess takes over the Funky Room. Avid clubbers and underground electronic music connoisseurs will agree: this new residency ranks amongst the most exciting new entries of the season.
Cocoon Ibiza anniversary party at Ushuaïa
Saturday, 25 May from 14:00 to 23:00
If we had to choose one party that helped shape the music scene of the island, it would have to be Sven Väth's Cocoon. Turning 20 this year, the trailblazing techno party heads on over to Ushuaïa for its Anniversary Opening Party. Hell yeah.
To celebrate the massive milestone, Papa Sven has brought in megastars Underworld who will play live at the open-air venue, as well as the full-blown star Ilario Alicante, Germany's finest Matthias Tanzmann and more. Dancing since 1999, the party continues. Big time.
Black Coffee opening
Saturday, 25 May from 23:00
Right after Cocoon, hop on over to Hï Ibiza to catch South African superstar Black Coffee open up the third year of his residency. Already a staple on Ibiza, this party floods the slick super-club with ethnic elegance, mystical splendour and some of the finest deep house out there.
As well as Black Coffee himself, the first fiesta of 2019 will be in solid hands. Israeli underground star Guy Gerber, fellow South African Da Capo, French DJ and singer Salomé, amongst others, will all be there to kick off proceedings.
elrow opening
Saturday, 25 May from 23:00 until late
Hailed worldwide as the party phenomenon of current times, elrow gets the season started with a brand new theme Growenlandia for its opening party. The wildest and most colourful party on the planet is back ready to rock Amnesia for another season and it all starts now.
The soundtrack will be in the hands of Basement Jaxx putting on a DJ set, Joris Voorn, De La Swing and Tini Gessler in the Terrace whilst the Club Room aka elrow City will feature Kölsch all night long. Their bouncy tech house and the party's wild imagination will keep you enthralled until morning. That's for sure.
SAGA opening
Sunday 26 May from 23:30
Prepare to be enchanted. One of HEART's most original and successful parties, SAGA opens its doors for the 2019 season for its third season. Having toured internationally, the unique party returns to its home to continue telling its captivating sonic tales. Sweet!
Creators of the party concept, New York duo Bedouin have a way with music. Whilst we don't know who will be joining them yet for the opening fiesta, we do know that no matter what the music will be both tantalising and stirring. Add to that the HEART's creative direction and you have it: an all-around fab party.
Solomun +1 opening
Sunday, 26 May from 23:59
Solumun plus one cherry-picked headlining guest equals a mindblowing night. A simple concept that has turned into one of Pacha's longest running and Ibiza's favourite parties. What's certain is the opening party of Solomun +1 qualifies as a key date of the summer.
The house-rocking DJ Koze will be the first guest of the season. Make sure to stay until the end. As always, the two will go back to back for the grand finale. Melodic grooves and a legendary atmosphere are the name of the game here.
Cocoon opening
Monday, 27 May from 23:59
The legendary Cocoon continues the celebration of its 20th season with another proper opening party. Back home at Amnesia, it gives diehard Cocooners even more reason to rave it up. Nothing quite beats dancing in the Terrace when sunlight floods the dance floor. Priceless.
For its opening party at Amnesia we still do not know who will be joining the legendary Sven Väth but what is certain is it's going to be the ultimate techno blast. With lots of surprises in store this summer, anything can happen.
Destino opening party
Thursday 30 May from 17:00 to 23:59
For its grand opening party, the Pacha-owned resort Destino welcomes Music On daytime edition. The Ibiza hotspot will be blasting those techno tunes as it rings in the new season.
The event sees techno master Marco Carola joined by super-trio Apollonia for the occasion. Once everything is said and done, you can continue with Music On at Pacha. It's going to be a big one!
Children of the 80s opening
Friday, 31 May from 19:00 to 23:59
To conclude the month, here's the ultimate blast from the past. Children of the 80s shoots you back to a time of fluorescent colours and big perms. Taking over the Hard Rock Hotel, this party will have you singing along to those long gone tunes we all know the words to.
First guests of the season, Alphaville are in for the opening party. Dress the part and head on over. Impossible to resist, this is the kind of party that everyone can enjoy.
As hard as we tried, we could not include every party. For a list of all Ibiza 2019 parties, head here.
