BBC Radio 1 has revealed more artists for its Big Weekend 2026 festival, with Olivia Dean, Niall Horan, and Kehlani among the biggest names set to perform. The annual event will take place from May 22 to May 24 at Herrington Country Park in Sunderland, England, and more than 100,000 fans are expected across the three days.
Sunday’s program will be led by Olivia Dean, who will close the main stage on the final night. She will share the bill with former One Direction member Niall Horan and American R&B singer Kehlani. Other acts scheduled for the main stage that day include Dermot Kennedy and rising singer Myles Smith, along with Irish country pop artist CMAT.
The festival will also highlight newer artists on the Radio 1 New Music Stage. Performers announced for that platform include Alessi Rose, Ezra Collective, FLO, Holly Humberstone, Maisie Peters and Odeal. Jorja Smith is also set to appear with a special party set.
A Packed Weekend of Major Acts
Several well known artists were already confirmed before the latest announcement. Dance music veterans Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera will headline the opening night on Friday, launching the festival with a club focused lineup.
Saturday’s lineup will feature pop star Zara Larsson, former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson, singer Lola Young and British rock band Nothing But Thieves. Together with Sunday’s artists, the festival presents a wide mix of pop, dance, indie and R&B across multiple stages.
This year marks the first time Sunderland has hosted the event. Previous editions were held in Liverpool in 2025, Luton in 2024 and Dundee in 2023.
Olivia Dean’s Breakout Moment Continues
Olivia Dean arrives at the festival during a strong moment in her career. The 26 year old British singer released her second album The Art of Loving in September last year, which helped push her into the global spotlight.
Her recent awards run has added to that momentum. Dean won Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards and picked up four trophies at the BRIT Awards earlier this year. She is also preparing for six sold out shows at London’s O2 Arena later this year, each with a capacity of around 20,000.
Closing the final night of Radio 1’s Big Weekend places her alongside some of the festival’s most notable performers from past years.
Niall Horan Prepares New Music
Niall Horan will arrive in Sunderland with new music on the way. The Irish singer is set to release a single titled Dinner Party on March 20. It will be his first solo track since the release of his 2023 album The Show, which reached number one on the UK charts.
Horan recently collaborated with singer Myles Smith on the track Drive Safe, linking two artists who are both scheduled to perform during the festival weekend.
BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend Tickets and Local Access
Tickets for Saturday and Sunday shows went on sale on March 11 through the BBC website and Ticketmaster. General admission costs £44.50 per day, while VIP tickets are priced at £106.
Like previous editions, the festival uses a location based ticket system. Around 30 percent of tickets are reserved for Sunderland residents, while 60 percent are allocated to people living across the wider North East Combined Authority region. The remaining 10 percent are available to the rest of the United Kingdom.
A Festival With More Than Two Decades of History
BBC Radio 1 launched Big Weekend in 2003 as a free live music event designed to bring major artists to cities across the UK. Over time it has grown into one of the country’s most recognizable pop festivals.
Many of today’s biggest performers have appeared on its stages, including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Harry Styles and Sabrina Carpenter. The festival also acts as an early marker of the British summer festival season.
This year’s edition will be broadcast live across BBC Radio 1, with performances also available through BBC Sounds and the BBC iPlayer channel.
Courtesy: Billboard
When is BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026?
BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 will take place from May 22 to May 24, 2026. The three-day festival will be held at Herrington Country Park in Sunderland, England.
Who is headlining Radio 1 Big Weekend 2026?
Olivia Dean will close the festival on Sunday night. Other major performers across the weekend include Niall Horan, Kehlani, Zara Larsson, Louis Tomlinson, Lola Young, Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera.
Where is Radio 1 Big Weekend 2026 taking place?
The festival will be hosted at Herrington Country Park in Sunderland. It is the first time the event will be held in the city.
How much are tickets for Radio 1 Big Weekend 2026?
General admission tickets cost £44.50 per day, which includes the booking fee. VIP tickets are priced at £106.
How are tickets allocated for Radio 1 Big Weekend?
Tickets are distributed with priority for local residents. About 30 percent are reserved for people living in Sunderland, 60 percent for the wider North East region and the remaining 10 percent are available across the rest of the UK.
What is BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend?
BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend is an annual live music festival launched in 2003 by BBC Radio 1. The event brings major pop and international artists to different UK cities each year and marks the start of the country’s summer festival season.
