We Belong Here Celebrates Five Years With Upgrades

Since arriving on the shores of Miami’s Historic Virginia Key Park, the We Belong Here festival has become more than a yearly weekend on the sand. It has grown into a full-on brand with roots firmly planted in the 305 and branches stretching into West Palm Beach, Tampa, New York, and beyond. What started as a boutique dance music event has continued to scale year after year, bringing the likes of Kaskade, Gordo, Eric Prydz, Steve Angello, Francis Mercier, James Hype, and more to the Key while experimenting with new layouts, improved production, and increasingly curated experiences.

Now We Belong Here is gearing up for a milestone five-year celebration, returning to Historic Virginia Key Beach Park from February 27 to March 1, 2026. For the first time ever, the festival will expand from two to three full days, marking the largest and most ambitious edition since its 2021 debut.

While the festival has earned its reputation for its signature 360-degree stage design, intimate atmosphere, and community-first approach, this year’s anniversary aims to push those foundations even further. The We Belong Here team mentioned in a press release sent to New Times that this will be the most elevated version to date, driven by community feedback and designed to deepen the sense of connection that has defined the festival from the start.

One of the biggest upgrades comes via the festival’s food and beverage program, which will feature more bars and bartenders, expanded seating, and a wider selection of vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and non alcoholic options. All are aimed at eliminating long lines and making food a feature rather than an afterthought.

Transportation is also getting a full refresh. The festival plans to introduce more affordable shuttle routes across the city, redesign rideshare zones with free WiFi, and optimize event hours to avoid peak congestion, all created in coordination with city officials and law enforcement to ensure smoother arrivals and exits.

Alongside those logistical upgrades comes a creative one. All three stages, the 360 Stage, the Beach Stage, and the Lost Village, will debut reimagined designs centered around intentionality and immersion. Expect new lighting installations, art collaborations, beachfront lounges, and more interactive elements that build on the festival’s core identity rather than expanding for expansion’s sake.

The lineup, set to be revealed closer to the event, promises new headliners heavily requested by fans, longer set times, and more space for local talent through the Artist Connection Program. True to its roots, the programming will lean into deep melodic journeys and high-energy house without sacrificing the intimacy that separates We Belong Here from South Florida’s larger and more explosive counterparts.

All of this happens as the brand rides major momentum, coming off New York editions in Greenpoint and Central Park, a sold-out inaugural Tampa Bay weekend at St. Pete Pier, and an expansion into Palm Beach’s Meyer Amphitheatre. But despite the national reach, the focus remains on the home base.

“We are beyond grateful to celebrate five years of We Belong Here in Miami at the same beautiful location from which the festival started,” says cofounder Justin Dauman. “This milestone is only possible because of our community, who has helped make this something truly special over the years.”

Cofounder Charles Hochfelder added that expanding to three days is a chance to welcome more people while keeping the tight-knit feel that defines the festival. “Our next chapter is going to raise the bar like never before.”