Radio 1's Big Weekend will take place in Sunderland on May 22-24, 2026, at Herrington Park, returning there for the first time since 2005. The festival is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans. ' A series of road closures will be in place around the park on event days to manage access safely, with resident access maintained through a controlled permit system.
Chester Road will be closed from May 22-24, 2026, between Herrington Country Park and the junction with the A19, to facilitate shuttle bus operations and provide a safe environment. Shuttle buses will run to and from the festival from three official transport hubs: Park Lane Interchange in Sunderland, Heworth Metro station, and the Park & Ride at Belmont in Durham. Regional coach return journeys are available from 23 locations in the North East Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority region, requiring pre-booking.
Whilst we celebrate the positives of bringing such a high-profile event to the city, we also understand that hosting an event of this scale can raise questions for people who live near the event site and we want to share early information with you about what to expect.
Fatboy Slim will top the bill on opening night, May 22, 2026, with the Friday line-up revealed by Greg James on his Breakfast Show on March 6, 2026. The Saturday line-up is set to be announced during Greg James' show on Monday, March 9, 2026. The last time Big Weekend was at Herrington Park was in 2005, with headliners including Foo Fighters and The Black Eyed Peas.