Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 to be held in Sunderland’s Herrington Country Park

BBC Radio 1 has announced that its flagship music festival, Big Weekend, will take place in Sunderland from May 22 to May 24, 2026. The event will be held at Herrington Country Park and is expected to attract tens of thousands of fans, featuring roughly 100 acts ranging from international headliners to emerging artists. Greg James, host of Radio 1 Breakfast, described the location as an exciting choice for the city and highlighted the strong musical heritage of the North East. Local musicians, including Alex from the band Swindled, expressed enthusiasm for the announcement, noting positive momentum in Sunderland’s music and football scenes. Sunderland last hosted the festival in 2005, with a lineup that included Gwen Stefani, Foo Fighters, and The Black Eyed Peas. Previous Big Weekend locations have spanned across the UK, with recent editions drawing large crowds and significant economic impact—Liverpool’s 2024 event, for instance, drew around 100,000 attendees. While ticket details and pricing for 2026 were not disclosed at the time, organizers and local authorities emphasized safety, inclusivity, and positive publicity for Sunderland. Local residents and workers expressed optimism about the event’s potential to showcase the city’s growing cultural vibrancy.