STIRLING – The BBC has announced that Radio 2 in the Park will take place at City Park in Stirling from Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13, 2026.
The event represents a strategic return of the station’s flagship live music programming to Scotland, marking the first major Radio 2 live music event in the region since BBC Music’s Biggest Weekend at Scone Castle in May 2018. The move leverages the station’s significant audience reach and its multi-platform distribution strategy, and forms part of the BBC’s public service remit as set out in its Royal Charter and Operating Licence, which requires the corporation to serve audiences across the UK’s nations and regions.
Multi-Platform Distribution and Programming
The festival is designed for cross-platform consumption, with all live performances scheduled for broadcast on Radio 2, BBC Sounds, and BBC iPlayer, extending access well beyond the ticketholder audience. Selected performances are expected to be made available on demand, supporting the BBC’s push to reach listeners on digital and connected devices.
Programming begins on September 11 at the Radio 2 DJ stage, featuring sets from the station’s presenting staff and live links into regular Radio 2 output. The subsequent weekend schedule will consist of live performances from international pop artists and local acts, positioning the event as both a national showcase and a platform for Scottish talent.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, stated: “I’m delighted to be able to confirm the dates of Radio 2 in the Park in Stirling for September. Our line-up remains as star studded as ever and we look forward to announcing which of your favourite artists will be performing in Stirling in the coming weeks.”
The event also utilizes the reach of its primary talent. Vernon Kay, who hosts weekday midmornings on Radio 2, currently reaches a weekly audience of 6.63 million listeners, underscoring the promotional power available to drive both attendance and broadcast audiences.
Regarding the location, Kay said: “The date is locked in the diary and Stirling, we are coming for you! Scotland always brings such an amazing atmosphere and one of the best crowds anywhere, so I’ve no doubt this one’s going to be an absolute belter! It’s going to be a massive weekend of live music, great energy, and unforgettable moments. See you in September!”
Regional Infrastructure, Governance and Event History
The selection of Stirling as a host city follows a pattern of rotating locations for the event, which was previously held in Leicester in 2023, Preston in 2024, and Chelmsford in 2025, reflecting the BBC’s obligation to distribute major live events outside London and the South East.
As a large-scale outdoor gathering, the festival will also sit within Scotland’s public event and safety framework, requiring coordination between the BBC, Stirling Council and relevant authorities on licensing, transport, policing and environmental impact, in line with national guidance such as Scotland’s event safety and crowd management standards.
Stirling Council Leader Cllr Susan McGill cited the city’s connectivity and history of staging large-scale events as key factors for the hosting of the festival.
“We can’t wait to welcome fans and artists to our amazing city in September for an unforgettable celebration of world-class live music set to the stunning backdrop of the historic Stirling Castle. Here in Stirling we have a proud track record of successfully staging major music events. Stirling is one of the best-connected places in the country, welcoming visitors from across Scotland, the UK and from all over the world to enjoy what our city and the wider Stirlingshire area has to offer. We all look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy the best of music in the heart of Scotland.”
The BBC maintains a consistent presence in Scotland through various specialized broadcasts. Recent activity includes the Glasgow finale of Paddy McGuinness’ Children in Need Challenge in 2024 and coverage of Celtic Connections. Other BBC music activations in the region include Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Dundee in 2023 and the 2017 BBC Radio 6 Music festival, which featured a performance by Depeche Mode at the Barrowlands.
For Stirling, the announcement signals a significant tourism and night-time economy boost, with thousands of visitors expected to travel to the city and surrounding area over the three days. For the BBC, the event serves as a high-visibility test of its live music strategy in the nations at a time of ongoing scrutiny over value for money, regional investment and its role in the UK’s cultural ecosystem.
The full artist line-up and ticketing details are pending official release.
