After getting the ball rolling in late April (and building up to it behind the scenes months earlier), Ibiza's summer 2023 season is in its dwindling light. All good things must come to an end, and so it must be. What a summer it has been though.
While the numbers are still being crunched and data analysed, we're confident in saying it's been a record breaker across all metrics.
If you were a part of it, give yourself a pat on the back. Well done. As always, it's been a team effort. Workers, tourists, hoteliers, restaurateurs, promoters, club owners, local government, emergency services - everyone has played their role.
Now, as the colder months creep in, it leaves a quandary: what to do now it's all over?
No need to feel morbid though. If you're at a loose end on your next move, we've got some ideas for you.
1. Attend Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE)
Often we get asked why the Ibiza season can't extend beyond mid-October. While there's certainly no good reason in terms of weather, there is an obstacle when it comes to the clubbing season. That's because the whole industry relocates to Dutch capital Amsterdam for ADE.
If you can't beat them, join them.
If our own music conference International Music Summit (IMS) heralds the start of summer, then ADE is widely regarded as launching the winter season in Europe. Lots of Ibiza brands and personalities will be present over five days between 18 and 22 October.
That means lots of parties. If you aren't partied out by now, then fair play to you. MORE INFO
2. Hit Time Warp
When it's not being thwarted by global health crises, Time Warp's Mannheim edition in its native Germany traditionally takes place the first weekend in April. That remains the case for spring 2024. However, recent years have seen Time Warp DE add a smaller-scale, winter indoor festival.
Again returning to the cavernous Maimarkthalle in the town's industrial district, Two Days/Two Stages takes place over 4 and 5 November. The Techno marathon features Adam Beyer, Anfisa Letyago and 999999999 on Friday and Sven Väth, ARTBAT and Patrick Mason on Saturday.
For all our Stateside friends, you can get your Time Warp fix in New York between 17 and 18 November. Joseph Capriati, Nina Kraviz, Pan-Pot, Chris Stussy, Paula Temple, Ilario Alicante and Sam Paganini are all set for the city that never sleeps. MORE INFO
3. Go travelling
Okay, so you've spent your summer living it up on the world's biggest party island and all that entails. Normal life back home, wherever that may be, just seems kind of... dull. If the idea of returning to the nine-to-five life sends shivers down your spine, there's only one thing for it.
Go travelling!
You've basically perfected the art of getting by doing the absolute minimum work, now chase the sun over winter too. Australia, South East Asia, India, Central and South America - the world is your oyster, especially with the advent of the digital nomad. There's one problem though.
Seeing the world doesn't come cheap. We hope you've managed to put some money away!
4. Do a ski season
Similar, but yet different. Swap beach shorts for longjohns, sunglasses for ski goggles and hit the slopes somewhere snowy this winter.
You won't find the option of international DJs seven nights a week at multiple nearby locations like you do on Ibiza. But with extreme winter sports, aprés ski culture and the high altitude reducing your alcohol tolerance, you'll still have a guaranteed fun time.
All that fresh mountain air will do you wonders and the snow-capped views of alpine vistas will nourish your soul. Just go easy on the Jägermeister and you'll come back to Ibiza next summer in tip-top shape.
If you really can't shrug the party bug, then you might want to look at Snowbombing in Mayrhofen, Austria (8 to 13 April 2024, MORE INFO) or our friends at ABODE On The Snow in Val Thorens, France (6 to 13 January 2024, MORE INFO). elrow's Snowrow in Andorra is also back (4, 5 and 6 April 2024, MORE INFO).
5. Stay and reap the rewards
There's a phrase amongst locals that goes a little something like, "Summer is the price you pay, for winter on Ibiza."
Basically, what that means is, that after a summer of hard work, clogged-up roads, expensive prices and high temperatures, the off-season is a welcomed reprieve when you can actually enjoy the island without battling the crowds.
Beaches are practically deserted and the sea remains warm enough to swim right up to January. The lower temperature lends itself perfectly to hiking (see Balearic Outdoor Adventures), so you can experience the great outdoors. Just generally, everyone is in chilled mode. It's a great time.
Clubbing doesn't completely shut down either, despite what you might have heard.
After a few weeks' break, Halloween is a huge party date here. Pikes always goes all out. This year its theme is The Haunted Hotel.
Club Chinois' calendar stretches all the way to Halloween and goes that little bit further still. TRIP, its Saturday night promoter, finishes on 4 November when Ricardo Villalobos and Sonja Moonear both appear.
In the north, Akasha continues at the weekend with club-only on Friday and Saturday nights.
Sundays are full-day celebrations with a market, music in the garden followed by a club night. Namasté, Ethereal, Summerians, Nido and Masaka Africana will take turns to host. For the rest of the dates, check out autumn parties (October and November) and winter parties (December).
We haven't even touched on the fabled New Year's schedule just yet. Music On NYE at Pacha, Toy Room at Lío Ibiza, Akasha's New Year's Eve and Circoloco New Year's Day at DC10 are all confirmed. For more info, please read our guide to clubbing over New Year.
Summer may (soon) be over, but let's look back fondly and appreciate winter. Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. Before we know it, we'll be buried deep in Ibiza 2024 planning.
To stay up to date with everything happening on Ibiza this winter, including activities and local cultural events, please check out our events calendar.
For parties taking place in October, November and December, our party calendar remains the definitive go-to guide. Hang on a minute though, because Ibiza 2023 isn't over yet. This weekend brings closings for Amnesia, Club Chinois, O Beach and Pacha amongst others.
