Dance in the Desert

In May, Las Vegas will experience a groundbreaking evolution in festival culture as Desert Days presents Ultra Load: The Gay Village—a vibrant, high-energy LGBTQ+ day party set to redefine what EDC Weekend can be. Coinciding with North America’s largest electronic dance music festival, Electric Daisy Carnival, Ultra Load is taking over the Alexis Park All Suite Resort from May 16 to 18, delivering an immersive, all-day celebration designed specifically for queer festival-goers and their allies.

Positioned as the first-ever LGBTQ+ day-club and pool party event during EDC Weekend, Ultra Load will welcome over 3,000 attendees into a colorful oasis of music, love, and unapologetic self-expression. For years, the EDC experience has been globally renowned for its extravagant production, cutting-edge soundscapes, and massive crowds. Yet despite the festival’s inclusivity in ethos, it has lacked a dedicated space tailored specifically for LGBTQ+ revelers—until now.

With a diverse lineup of internationally acclaimed DJs and breakout stars, Ultra Load is curating three days of unforgettable performances. Friday’s launch on May 16 will feature pulse-pounding beats from Brad Lee and Nick Stracener at the pool, with Derek Monteiro and Sam Gee heating up the Jungle Room indoors. Saturday sees Erik Vilar and Hector Fonseca take command poolside, while host Joshua Flores and DJ Jon Klaft transform the Jungle Room into the lively Otter Pop Las Vegas. Sunday, the final day, wraps the weekend in spectacular fashion with Dawna Montell, Dustin, and Kipnotik energizing the crowd, and a grand finale by Janky and Sammy Taylor.

But Ultra Load is more than just music. It’s a transformative festival-within-a-festival experience built to reflect and uplift the LGBTQ+ community. From the all-gay service staff—an industry first for a major pool resort—to queer-owned brand activations, everything about Ultra Load is intentionally designed to celebrate identity, foster connection, and promote inclusivity. Guests can look forward to VIP cabanas, plush lounge areas, all-day food and drink service, and seamless access to both outdoor and indoor entertainment.

Held at the centrally located Alexis Park All Suite Resort, the space offers a haven of comfort, luxury, and excitement just minutes away from the EDC madness. And for local residents, Desert Days is making sure they feel just as welcomed and celebrated. Exclusive ticket discounts are being offered to Nevada residents with valid ID, and reduced hotel rates are available for those booking extended stays between May 13 and May 20, 2025.

What truly sets Ultra Load: The Gay Village apart is its vision for the future. Desert Days sees this event not as a one-time celebration, but as the foundation of an ongoing movement—a permanent fixture in the Las Vegas festival landscape. It aims to serve as a global magnet for queer travelers while supporting local LGBTQ+ talent, nightlife, and business.

With inclusivity at its heart, Ultra Load promises more than a party—it’s a cultural shift. As the EDC crowd swarms Las Vegas this spring, one thing is certain: Ultra Load: The Gay Village will be the epicenter of queer joy, rhythm, and revolution.

Tickets are now available at desertdays.co.