- Play Hard
- 19th May 2026
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BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend line-up, set times and travel details revealed
Music fans, it’s official. The full line-up for BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 in Sunderland has been revealed, and it’s set to be one of the North East’s biggest music events in years.
More than two decades after it last landed on Wearside, the festival returns to Herrington Country Park from Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th May 2026, bringing an incredible mix of global superstars, chart-topping favourites and exciting new artists to the region.
Organised by the BBC in partnership with Sunderland City Council, the festival will feature around 100 acts across multiple stages over three days. Tens of thousands of fans are expected to descend on the city for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of live music, celebration and festival fun.
Sunderland last hosted Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2005, when the line-up included Gwen Stefani, Foo Fighters and The Black Eyed Peas. With this year’s announcement, 2026 is shaping up to be just as memorable.
FRIDAY 22ND MAY: RADIO 1’S BIG WEEKEND DANCE PARTY
The opening night is all about dance music, and it’s headlined by a true legend of the genre.
Fatboy Slim will top the bill on Friday night, kicking off the weekend with a huge headline set. Known for iconic tracks like Praise You and Right Here, Right Now, his set is guaranteed to get the entire park dancing. Joining him on the dance-heavy bill are Sonny Fodera, FISHER, MK and Clementine Douglas, making it a huge night for electronic music fans.
Friday’s event is 18+ only and has been branded the festival’s official Dance Party – the perfect start to the weekend.
Main Stage
Boo: 3:00–4:10pm
Charlie Hedges: 4:10–5:25pm
Clementine Douglas: 5:25–5:55pm
Sonny Fodera: 6:15–7:15pm
MK: 7:15–8:00pm
FISHER: 8:00–8:45pm
Fatboy Slim: 8:55–9:55pm
New Music Stage
Sarah Story: 2:40–3:20pm
Ahadadream B2B Arthi: 3:20–4:00pm
Arielle Free: 4:00–4:35pm
Horsegirl: 4:40–5:20pm
L.P Rhythm: 5:20–6:00pm
NOTION: 6:05–6:45pm
Danny Howard: 6:55–7:35pm
Ewan McVicar: 7:35–8:20pm
Marlon Hoffstadt: 8:20–9:20pm
BBC Introducing Stage
Max Jones: 2:20–3:20pm
Jude Lawless: 3:20–4:00pm
Mia Lily: 4:00–4:40pm
Niamh: 4:40–5:20pm
Ellie Scougall: 5:20–6:00pm
Sorley: 6:00–6:45pm
Anish Kumar: 6:45–7:30pm
Jaguar: 7:30–8:15pm
SATURDAY 23RD MAY: ZARA LARSSON AND LOUIS TOMLINSON LEAD THE LINE-UP
Saturday’s programme switches things up with a huge mix of pop, indie and alternative acts.
Swedish pop superstar Zara Larsson is set to headline the day alongside Louis Tomlinson, former One Direction member turned successful solo artist. Also joining the main stage line-up are Ellie Goulding, Lola Young, Nothing But Thieves and rising star Skye Newman. Expect big sing-along moments and major festival energy.
Main Stage
Maia Beth Happy Anthems DJ set: 12:15–1:15pm
Ellie Goulding: 1:15–2:00pm
Dean McCullogh’s Pop Anthems DJ set: 2:00–2:45pm
Skye Newman: 2:45–3:20pm
Rickie Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom Workout Anthems: 3:20–4:05pm
Louis Tomlinson: 4:05–4:45pm
Nat O’Leary and Vicky Hawksworth Radio 1 Anthems set: 4:45–5:20pm
Nothing But Thieves: 5:30–6:15pm
Charlie Hedges Dance Anthems DJ set: 6:15–7:00pm
Lola Young: 7:00–7:50pm
Jeremiah Asiamah: 7:50–8:40pm
Zara Larsson: 8:45–9:50pm
New Music Stage
Erin Le Count: 12:30–1:00pm
Florence Road: 1:30–2:00pm
Wasia Project: 2:30–3:05pm
MUNA: 3:35–4:15pm
Rachel Chinouriri: 4:45–5:30pm
Mitski: 6:00–7:00pm
Sarah Story: 7:00–7:45pm
James Blake: 7:45–8:45pm
BBC Introducing Stage
Emma Harbs: 11:30am–12:00pm
Swindled: 12:30–1:00pm
Heidi Curtis: 1:30–2:00pm
Tom A Smith: 2:30–3:00pm
Aaron Rowe: 3:30–4:00pm
BombayMami: 4:30–5:00pm
LeoStay Trill: 5:30–6:00pm
Bella Barbe: 6:30–7:00pm
SUNDAY 24TH MAY: OUR GIRL OLIVIA DEAN
Olivia Dean, Niall Horan, Kehlani and more have just been announced to perform on Sunday 24th May in Sunderland. And who knows – could there be a guest appearance from Sam Fender?
Also announced are Dermot Kennedy, CMAT and Myles Smith for the Radio 1 Main Stage, while Alessi Rose, Ezra Collective, FLO, Holly Humberstone, Jorja Smith (Party Set), Maisie Peters and Odeal will perform on the Radio 1 New Music Stage.
Main Stage
Maia Beth Happy Anthems DJ set: 12:15–1:15pm
Niall Horan: 1:15–2:00pm
Dean McCullogh’s Pop Anthems DJ set: 2:00–2:45pm
Myles Smith: 2:45–3:25pm
Rickie Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom Workout Anthems: 3:25–4:10pm
Dermot Kennedy: 4:10–4:50pm
Nat O’Leary and Vicky Hawksworth Radio 1 Anthems set: 4:50–5:35pm
Kehlani: 5:35–6:15pm
Charlie Hedges Dance Anthems DJ set: 6:15–7:00pm
CMAT: 7:00–7:50pm
Jeremiah Asiamah: 7:50–8:40pm
Olivia Dean: 8:45–9:55pm
New Music Stage
Alessi Rose: 12:45–1:15pm
Odeal: 1:45–2:20pm
FLO: 2:50–3:30pm
Jorja Smith (party set): 4:00–4:35pm
Holly Humberstone: 5:05–5:50pm
Maisie Peters: 6:20–7:05pm
Jack Saunders: 7:05–7:50pm
Ezra Collective: 7:50–8:50pm
BBC Introducing Stage
Jenna Cole: 11:30am–12:00pm
Able Jack: 12:30–1:00pm
Wohdee: 1:30–2:00pm
Imogen and the Knife: 2:30–3:00pm
Venus Grrrls: 3:30–4:00pm
Finn Forster: 4:30–5:00pm
DC3: 5:30–6:00pm
Rubii: 6:30–7:00pm
HOW TO GET RADIO 1’S BIG WEEKEND TICKETS
Tickets are still available for Friday, and some presale tickets may still be available for other days – but be quick. Sunday is officially sold out, though tickets can be released back into circulation, so keep a close eye on the official Ticketmaster page.
TRAVEL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Shuttle buses
Regular shuttle buses will run from Sunderland’s Park Lane Interchange, Heworth Metro Station in Gateshead and Durham Park and Ride to Herrington Country Park. They must be pre-booked in advance.
Tyne and Wear Metro
Services on the Metro are expected to be busier than usual, particularly on Sunday when Sunderland AFC play Chelsea at the Stadium of Light. Heworth and Park Lane are the recommended Metro stations, with both having regular return shuttles to the event site.
From Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside or South Tyneside, festival-goers are advised to take the Metro to Heworth Interchange, then use shuttle buses to Herrington Park. From the Sunderland area, use Park Lane Interchange to connect with shuttle buses. Queuing systems will be in place at both interchanges after the event.
Shuttle bus tickets are not valid on Metros. Buses and Metros are alcohol-free zones.
Last Metro trains from Park Lane:
23:34 to South Hylton
23:55 to Fellgate
Last Metro trains from Heworth:
23:00 to the airport via Newcastle city centre
23:30 to Tynemouth via Newcastle city centre
23:33 to South Shields
00:15 to Benton via Newcastle city centre
00:18 to South Gosforth via Newcastle city centre
Coaches
Regional coach returns will be available from 23 locations across the North East Combined Authority area and Tees Valley Combined Authority region. Pre-booking is essential.
Buses
Local buses will be subject to delays and diversions due to road closures, especially on Sunday due to the football.
Trains (National Rail)
People travelling on the East Coast Main Line are warned to expect disruption over the bank holiday weekend due to engineering work between York and Northallerton from 23–25 May. The closest National Rail station is Sunderland Central, a short walk from the Park Lane shuttle services. Other stations include Heworth, Newcastle and Durham. Check timetables before travelling.
TRAVELLING BY CAR
There is no parking at Herrington Country Park except for pre-booked accessible parking – blue badges will not be valid on the day. A resident protection zone will be in operation for those living near the site.
All event car parks, which must be pre-booked, will be within 45 minutes’ walking distance or connected to a shuttle hub. Motorbikes may also use shuttle hubs.
Meet and greet / pick-up and drop-off
If you plan to use the pick-up and drop-off facility, you must pre-register for a designated time slot in advance. Pick-up and drop-off for friends and family will operate inside Herrington Country Park only.
Accessible pick-up and drop-off
If you have confirmed you will be dropped off at the event in your accessibility application, you will be sent a drop-off pass the week before to print at home and bring with you.
Taxi
Pick-up and drop-off by app-based taxi services or Hackney Carriages will not be available from Herrington Country Park. Instead, use transport hubs at Heworth and Park Lane Metro Stations or Durham Belmont Park and Ride, and take the shuttle service to the park.
CYCLING OR WALKING
Bicycle
Bicycle parking will be available on site for cyclists planning to cycle directly to the venue. Bikes cannot be taken on shuttle services.
Walking
A map with designated Big Weekend walking routes to Herrington Country Park is available via the Radio 1 Big Weekend app.
ROAD CLOSURES
Temporary road closures will be in place around the event site from 8am on Friday 22nd May until 1am each day, with all roads fully reopened by 1:00am on Tuesday 25th May.
A183 (Chester Road) will be closed to all traffic from the A19 junction to the roundabout with Chislehurst Road. The northbound slip road at the A19/A183 junction and Foxcover Road will also be closed to all traffic except emergency service vehicles. No stopping or parking will be in operation along the A183 and B1286. Restrictions, including all lay-by closures, will apply on the A19 – both northbound and southbound – between the A690 and A1231.
Festival-goers are also advised to download the Radio 1 Big Weekend app, which includes set times, maps, live updates and everything you need to make the most of the weekend.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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