Hylands Park to host Radio 2 in the Park 2025

Chelmsford will host another major music festival this summer, with BBC Radio 2 in the Park set to take place in Hylands Park from Friday 5 – Sunday 7 September.

The announcement was made yesterday morning, live on air from Hylands House on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show, with Scott speaking to Radio 2 presenter, Ellie Taylor. The Essex-born comedian enjoyed a morning at Hylands Park for the broadcast, which included taking part in a Go Ape zipwire through the park’s trees. Radio 2 presenter and TV personality, Rylan, also joined Ellie for the announcement, to celebrate the festival taking place in his home county. Rylan said of this year’s event location:

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"I can’t wait to welcome my Radio 2 family to Chelmsford and have this year’s Radio 2 in the Park right on my doorstep! If there’s one thing I know for certain, it’s that an Essex crowd know how to party. See you all in Hylands Park!”

Rylan, Radio 2 presenter

Head of Radio 2, Helen Thomas, says:

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"Radio 2 in the Park is our biggest party of the year, and we’re delighted to be bringing a three-day music extravaganza to Chelmsford! We’ve been busy booking some of the world’s most loved artists to perform to thousands of revellers in Hylands Park, as well as to millions of listeners and viewers at home or on the move. We can’t wait to bring our family of Radio 2 presenters to Essex."

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2

Coup for Chelmsford expected to boost local economy

Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to radio station with a weekly audience of 13.1 million. Their flagship live music festival, Radio 2 in the Park, will broadcast live from Hylands Park throughout the weekend of 5-7 September. Most of Radio 2’s presenters will descend on the city for the weekend and all the action will be broadcast on Radio 2, BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.

The event is a major coup for Chelmsford. It joins a long list of renowned music festivals that have been hosted in the city in previous years, including V Festival, RiZE and the inaugural Creamfields South.

The three-day festival is expected to generate a major boost to Chelmsford’s economy, presenting fresh opportunities for local businesses. Last year’s host city, Preston, reported that Radio 2 in the Park brought £5.3 million into the city through visitor spending, with many festival attendees choosing to stay overnight or make a day trip of their visit. The event had a lasting positive impact upon the city of Preston, putting it on the map as an exciting visitor destination and capable host city for large-scale events.

Leader of Chelmsford City Council, Councillor Stephen Robinson, hopes to see the same positive outcome for Chelmsford:

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“Radio 2 in the Park is a fantastic opportunity for Chelmsford – one that will lift our local economy and further boost the city’s position as a top events destination. Chelmsford City Council is delighted to be working with Radio 2 to welcome world-famous music acts like Bryan Adams and thousands of Radio 2 fans from across the UK to our brilliant city this summer, for this unrivalled three-day celebration of music.”

Councillor Stephen Robinson, Leader of Chelmsford City Council

Line up of outstanding artists announced

Following Monday’s location announcement, Radio 2 has today revealed the lineup for this year’s Radio 2 in the Park.

Announced live on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show this morning, Bryan Adams will headline the Saturday night and rock band Def Leppard – with an exclusive UK performance for 2025 – will headline the Sunday night.

Bryan Adams and Def Leppard will headline on the Saturday and Sunday.

Ahead of this, the weekend will officially kick off with a Friday night DJ party, back by popular demand after its debut at Radio 2 in the Park 2024. This will feature sets from Radio 2 presenters Vernon Kay, Scott Mills, Rylan, DJ Spoony and Michelle Visage.

Bryan Adams said:

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"This will be my first time performing in Chelmsford, and I’m genuinely looking forward to bringing the show there. There’s something exciting about playing in a new place, especially somewhere that’s filled with a Radio 2 crowd ready to rock. I’m thrilled to be part of this event... brace yourselves, we’re gonna roll with the punches!”

Bryan Adams

Lineup: Saturday 6 September

• Headliner: Bryan Adams
• Belinda Carlisle
• Ronan Keating
• Jessie J
• Kid Creole & The Coconuts
• Marti Pellow
• Ella Henderson
• Stereophonics

Lineup: Sunday 7 September

• Headliner: Def Leppard
• Anastacia
• Soul II Soul
• Suede
• Louise
• David Gray
• Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Big music names will come to Hylands Park this summer, including Ella Henderson, Stereophonics and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Tickets for Radio 2 in the Park will go on sale on Wednesday 4 June at 8.30am. Tickets for the Pre-Party on Friday are £32 (plus booking fee), while tickets for the Saturday and Sunday are priced from £63 (plus booking fee).

30% of tickets have been reserved for Essex residents, granting greater opportunities for locals take part in this celebration of music right on their doorstep. To ensure you are eligible to purchase these tickets, you will need to enter the postcode of your home address at the time of purchase.

Find out more about this year’s Radio 2 in the Park at: www.bbc.co.uk/radio2inthepark.