Uplifting trance, also known as anthem trance, is a subgenre of trance music that emerged in the wake of progressive trance in the late 1990s. Characterized by extended chord progression in all elements (lead synth, bass chords, treble chords), extended breakdowns, and relegation of arpeggiation to the background while bringing wash effects to the fore.

Uplifting trance, while commonly referred to as "anthem trance" or "epic trance", is a subgenre of trance electronica forming in the late 90's. Uplifting trance is derived partially from progressive trance, but is characterized by its own unique chord progressions. Uplifting trance songs usually have longer breakdowns than progressive trance, and contain melodies that are similar to that of happy hardcore, giving it the nickname "happy trance". They tend to keep a steady beat around 140 Beats per minute throughout the song (excluding occasional breakdown breakbeats). Many uplifting trance DJs seek to be independent of epic and anthem trance, relying solely on the more joyous progressions of underground trance songs. Since the uplifting trance scene was mostly popular in the late 1990s-early 2000s, today's uplifting DJs have little club exposure especially in the western hemisphere, and thus uplifting trance has become more and more underground in recent years. This has led to a strong decrease in the number of famous uplifting DJs, though some still exist.