BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend 2026 schedule: Opening and stage times

BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend is fast approaching, with an act for every kind of music lover.

Across three stages and plenty of acts to choose from, there is a wide selection to keep fans occupied over the three-day event from artists performing new music to the biggest chart-toppers.

This weekend (Friday 22 May to Sunday 24 May), the music extravaganza will take place in Herrington Country Park in Sunderland, with the annual event pulling out all the stops once more.

Gates will open Friday at 2pm, and 11am on Saturday on Sunday – and each day will end at approximately 10pm.

Trying to work out which acts might clash? Here's where you can find your favourites across BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend.

BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend 2026 schedule

Friday 22 May 2026

It's quite the jam-packed day kicking off the weekend, with a headline performance from Fatboy Slim to conclude the excitement of the day.

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

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 23 May 2026

There is quite the variety of acts performing on Saturday. Pop fans can enjoy the likes of Ellie Goulding and Louis Tomlinson, while we're headed stateside with Zara Larsson as she closes out the night.

Main Stage

• 2:15pm - 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

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 24 May 2026

Fresh off her her UK tour, Grammy win and BAFTA wins to name just a few, Olivia Dean headlines Sunday show, with Niall Horan, Kehlani and CMAT performing throughout the day.

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

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

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