The ultimate guide to Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026: full lineup, set times and everything you need to know

It’s time to dust off the bucket hat and kaleidoscopic glasses and slip into a pair of wellies because festival season is officially upon us. Yup, the month of May is choc-full of weekend events with impressive line ups. FOCUS Wales in Wrexham has been and gone, featuring appearances from Fat Dog, Idlewild, Shame and Gwenno, while AVA Festival in Belfast and London’s GALA are still to come.

Plus, big name acts from Olivia Dean and Zara Larsson to Niall Horan and Fatboy Slim will all be making their way to Sunderland this Bank Holiday weekend to take to the stage at Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026.

Ahead of Radio 1’s Big Weekend, here’s everything you need to know about the three-day festival.

RECOMMENDED: The best music festivals in the UK to book for 2026.

When and where is Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026?

This year’s Radio 1 Big Weekend is happening in Sunderland’s Herrington Country Park from Friday May 22 to Sunday May 24. 

Why Sunderland is one of the best places to visit in the UK in 2026.

What are the timings?

On Friday, gates will open at 2pm. On Saturday and Sunday, they’ll open at 11am. Last entry will be at 9pm and each day is scheduled to end at 10pm. 

Full lineup and set times

Friday May 22 2026

Main Stage

• 3pm - 4:10pm: Boo
  
• 4:10pm - 5:25pm: Charlie Hedges
  
• 5:25pm - 5:55pm: Clementine Douglas
  
• 6:15pm - 7:15pm: Sonny Fodera
  
• 7:15pm - 8pm: MK
  
• 8pm - 8:45pm - FISHER
  
• 8:55pm - 9:55pm - Fatboy Slim

New Music Stage

• 2:40pm - 3:20pm: Sarah Story
  
• 3:20pm - 4pm: Ahadadream B2B Arthi
  
• 4pm - 4:35pm: Arielle Free
  
• 4:40pm - 5:20pm - Horsegirl
  
• 5:20pm - 6pm: L.P Rhythm
  
• 6:05pm - 6:45pm: NOTION
  
• 6:55pm - 7:35pm: Danny Howard
  
• 7:35pm - 8:20pm - Ewan McVicar
  
• 8:20pm - 9:20pm - Marlon Hoffstadt

BBC Introducing Stage

• 2:20pm - 3:20pm: Max Jones
  
• 3:20pm - 4pm: Jude Lawless
  
• 4pm - 4:40pm: Mia Lily
  
• 4:40pm - 5:20pm: Niamh
  
• 5:20pm - 6pm: Ellie Scougall
  
• 6pm - 6:45pm: Sorley
  
• 6:45pm - 7:30pm: Anish Kumar
  
• 7:30pm - 8:15pm: Jaguar

Saturday May 23 2026

Main Stage

• 12:15pm - 1:15pm: Maia Beth Happy Anthems DJ set
  
• 1:15pm - 2pm: Ellie Goulding
  
• 2pm - 2:45pm: Dean McCullogh’s Pop Anthems DJ set
  
• 2:45pm - 3:20pm: Skye Newman
  
• 3:20pm - 4:05pm: Rickie Haywood-Williams & Melvin Odoom Workout Anthems
  
• 4:05pm - 4:45pm: Louis Tomlinson
  
• 4:45pm - 5:20pm: Nat O'Leary & Vicky Hawksworth Radio 1 Anthems set
  
• 5:30pm - 6:15pm: Nothing But Thieves
  
• 6:15pm - 7pm: Charlie Hedges Dance Anthems DJ set
  
• 7pm - 7:50pm: Lola Young
  
• 7:50pm - 8:40pm - Jeremiah Asiamah
  
• 8:45pm - 9:50pm - Zara Larsson

New Music Stage

• 12:30pm - 1pm: Erin Le Count
  
• 1:30pm - 2pm: Florence Road
  
• 2:30pm - 3:05pm: Wasia Project
  
• 3:35pm - 4:15pm: MUNA
  
• 4:45pm - 5:30pm: Rachel Chinouriri
  
• 6pm - 7pm: Mitski
  
• 7pm - 7:45pm: Sarah Story
  
• 7:45pm - 8:45pm: James Blake

BBC Introducing Stage

• 11:30am - 12pm: Emma Harbs
  
• 12:30pm - 1pm: Swindled
  
• 1:30pm - 2pm: Heidi Curtis
  
• 2:30pm - 3pm: Tom A Smith
  
• 3:30pm - 4pm: Aaron Rowe
  
• 4:30pm - 5pm: BombayMami
  
• 5:30pm - 6pm: LeoStay Trill
  
• 6:30pm - 7pm: Bella Barbe

Sunday May 24 2026

Main Stage

• 12:15pm - 1:15pm: Maia Beth Happy Anthems DJ set
  
• 1:15pm - 2pm: Niall Horan
  
• 2pm - 2:45pm: Dean McCullogh's Pop Anthems DJ set
  
• 2:45pm - 3:25pm: Myles Smith
  
• 3:25pm - 4:10pm: Rickie Haywood-Williams & Melvin Odoom Workout Anthems
  
• 4:10pm - 4:50pm: Dermot Kennedy
  
• 4:50pm - 5:35pm: Nat O'Leary & Vicky Hawksworth Radio 1 Anthems set
  
• 5:35pm - 6:15pm: Kehlani
  
• 6:15pm - 7pm: Charlie Hedges Dance Anthems DJ set
  
• 7pm - 7:50pm: CMAT
  
• 7:50pm - 8:40pm: Jeremiah Asiamah
  
• 8:45pm - 9:55pm: Olivia Dean

New Music Stage

• 12:45pm - 1:15pm: Alessi Rose
  
• 1:45pm - 2:20pm: Odeal
  
• 2:50pm - 3:30pm: FLO
  
• 4pm - 4:35pm: Jorja Smith (party set)
  
• 5:05pm - 5:50pm: Holly Humberstone
  
• 6:20pm - 7:05pm: Maisie Peters
  
• 7:05pm - 7:50pm: Jack Saunders
  
• 7:50pm - 8:50pm: Ezra Collective

BBC Introducing Stage

• 11:30am - 12pm: Jenna Cole
  
• 12:30pm - 1pm: Able Jack
  
• 1:30pm - 2pm: Wohdee
  
• 2:30pm - 3pm: Imogen and the Knife
  
• 3:30pm - 4pm: Venus Grrrls
  
• 4:30pm - 5pm: Finn Forster
  
• 5:30pm - 6pm:DC3
  
• 6:30pm - 7pm: Rubii

Can I still buy tickets for Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026? 

Tickets for Sunday are now sold out but we can confirm that there are still some tickets up for grabs for Friday starting from £34.50 and Saturday starting from £44.50, plus a £3.25 booking fee. Find tickets on Ticketmaster here.

How to get to Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland

The quickest and easiest way to get to site over the weekend will be via coach. Day return coach services will be running from 23 locations including Billingham, Blackhall Colliery, Blyth, Bowburn, Byker, Cramlington / Gosforth, Darlington, Easington, Gateshead (Metrocentre), Hartlepool, Kingston Park, Marske, Middlesbrough, Newton Aycliffe, North Shields, Ord Street Coach Park, Percy Main, Peterlee, Redcar, Seaham, Skelton-in-Cleveland, Spennymoor, and Whitley Bay.

There will also be a shuttle bus service running from these three locations:

• Heworth Metro Station, Gateshead
  
• Park Lane Interchange, Sunderland
  
• Belmont Park & Ride, Durham

You can buy a return shuttle bus ticket in advance from £13.

Banned items

Here’s a full list of banned items, according to the BBC:

• Drugs, including so called legal highs
  
• Drones
  
• Professional photography equipment
  
• Animals other than registered assistance dogs
  
• Alcohol (unless purchased on site)
  
• Selfie Sticks
  
• Chairs (except for registered access customers and those approved for accessible viewing areas)
  
• Golf / large umbrellas (1 metre or more)
  
• Child 'pull along' wagons/carts
  
• Flags
  
• Knives
  
• Fireworks
  
• Smoke canisters
  
• Sky or Chinese lanterns
  
• Gas canisters (including aerosols over 250ml and nitrous oxide / CO2 Dispensers)
  
• Megaphones
  
• Air horns
  
• Sound systems
  
• Spray cans
  
• Balloons
  
• Flares
  
• Weapons
  
• Dangerous or hazardous items
  
• Laser devices
  
• Glass (including perfume and aftershave)
  
• Cans
  
• Poles
  
• Blow torches
  
• Unauthorised items for trading, including any goods using unauthorised event logos
  
• Any article that might be used as a weapon and / or compromise public safety including unofficial tabards / high-viz.

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