Music to stream: Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 announces Louis Tomlinson, Zara Larsson and more
If you’re planning a journey this summer, Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 might be the perfect entertainment to download before you travel. The BBC’s flagship music festival will be available to watch via BBC iPlayer and listen to on BBC Sounds, meaning festival performances can accompany you wherever your travels take you — whether you’re on a long flight, a train ride across Europe or relaxing by the pool.
Taking place from 22–24 May 2026 in Sunderland, the hugely popular event marks the unofficial start of the UK festival season. For travellers looking to stream some of the biggest names in music while on the move, the star-studded line-up promises hours of high-energy performances.
A Huge Line-Up for Saturday in Sunderland
The BBC has announced a major roster of artists set to perform on Saturday 23 May, including Zara Larsson, Louis Tomlinson, Lola Young and Nothing But Thieves. They will be joined by a diverse mix of global stars and rising talent, including Ellie Goulding, James Blake, Skye Newman, Rachel Chinouriri, MUNA, Erin LeCount, Mitski, Florence Road and Wasia Project.
These acts join an already impressive Friday bill featuring Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera as Main Stage headliners, alongside a host of other performers.
Across the weekend, more than 100,000 music fans are expected to descend on Herrington Country Park, turning the scenic green space into one of the UK’s biggest live music gatherings of the year.
Saturday 23 May – Highlights
Radio 1 Main Stage
Zara Larsson
Louis Tomlinson
Ellie Goulding
Lola Young
Nothing But Thieves
Skye Newman
Plus DJ sets from Charlie Hedges, Dean McCullough, Jeremiah Asiamah, Melvin Odoom, Nat O’Leary, Rickie Haywood-Williams and Vicky Hawkesworth.
Radio 1 New Music Stage
James Blake
Mitski
MUNA
Rachel Chinouriri
Erin LeCount
Florence Road
Wasia Project
Sarah Story
For those who can’t make it to the festival in person, the BBC will broadcast live performances and highlights throughout the weekend, ensuring music lovers can enjoy the atmosphere from anywhere in the world.
Sunderland: The North East’s Coastal Surprise
Hosting Radio 1’s Big Weekend puts Sunderland firmly in the spotlight — and the city has plenty to offer visitors beyond the festival stage.
Located on England’s north-east coast, Sunderland blends seaside charm with a growing cultural scene. The city is known for its sweeping beaches, including Roker and Seaburn, where long promenades, historic piers and sea views provide a classic British coastal experience.
Just outside the city centre, Herrington Country Park — the festival’s host location — is one of the region’s largest urban parks. Once a mining site, it has been transformed into a peaceful green landscape with lakes, walking trails and views across to the iconic Penshaw Monument.
Elsewhere, Sunderland’s cultural highlights include the National Glass Centre, celebrating the city’s centuries-old glassmaking heritage, and a growing food and nightlife scene around the city centre and marina.
For visitors exploring the wider North East, Sunderland also makes a great base for discovering nearby destinations such as Newcastle, Durham and the dramatic Northumberland coastline.
A Festival With a Local Focus
Tickets for Saturday 23 May and Sunday 24 May go on sale from 5pm on Wednesday 11 March, priced at £44.50 including booking fees.
In keeping with Radio 1 Big Weekend tradition, tickets are geographically weighted:
30% reserved for Sunderland residents
60% for those living in the wider North East Combined Authority (NECA) region
10% available for the rest of the UK
The festival is known for selling out within minutes each year, reflecting the huge demand for the event.
Beyond the Music
Radio 1 is also bringing community events to the region through its Life Hacks outreach programme, hosting live panel discussions across the North East between 24–27 March.
Taking place at East Durham College, Sunderland College, South Tyneside College and Red House Academy, the sessions will explore topics including mental health, relationships and life after education. The panels will feature local charities, organisations and entrepreneurs, helping connect young people with opportunities and support networks in the region.
Music for the Journey
Whether you’re travelling to the festival itself or simply looking for great entertainment on the road, Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 offers a ready-made soundtrack.
With performances streaming on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, you can take the festival atmosphere with you wherever you go — proving that sometimes the best travel companion is great music.
And if the festival coverage inspires a future trip, Sunderland’s beaches, green parks and vibrant cultural scene are waiting to be discovered.