BBC Radio 2 in the Park 2025: Star-Studded Festival Set to Rock Chelmsford’s Hylands Park
A New Chapter for Radio 2’s Flagship Festival
BBC Radio 2 has confirmed its flagship live music event, Radio 2 in the Park, will take place in Chelmsford, running from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th September in Hylands Park, Essex.
The festival will be headlined by Bryan Adams and Def Leppard, who will perform on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The star-studded lineup also includes Belinda Carlisle, Jessie J, Ronan Keating, Anastacia, and David Gray, among others.
Festival Highlights and Entertainment
The weekend will kick off with a Friday night DJ party, featuring sets from Radio 2 presenters Vernon Kay, Scott Mills, Rylan, DJ Spoony and Michelle Visage.
The entire festival will be broadcast live from Hylands Park on Radio 2, BBC Sounds and iPlayer. Many of Radio 2’s beloved presenters, including Michael Ball, Zoe Ball, Jo Whiley, Rylan, Fearne Cotton, Sara Cox, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and others, are expected to present live from the event.
Economic Impact and Local Benefits
The three-day festival is anticipated to provide a significant boost to Chelmsford’s economy. For comparison, last year’s host city, Preston, reported that Radio 2 in the Park generated £5.3 million in visitor spending, with many festival attendees choosing to stay overnight or make day trips.
Travel and Accessibility
Multiple transport options will be available to reach Hylands Park, including coach services operating across Essex and shuttle buses running every ten minutes from Chelmsford station. To benefit local residents, 30 percent of tickets will be reserved for people with Essex postcodes.
Tickets for BBC Radio 2 in the Park 2025 will go on sale at 8.30am on Wednesday 4 June 2025 via bbc.co.uk/radio2inthepark.
