Will Radio 2 in the Park return to Chelmsford?
After a hugely successful weekend in Essex last year, many local music fans have been asking the same question — will BBC Radio 2 in the Park return to Chelmsford in 2026?
The short answer is: not this year.
The event will take place:
Date: 7–9 August 2026
Venue: City Park, Stirling
The festival is designed to move around different UK cities each year, bringing major live music acts to new audiences.
Big-name performances and a vibrant atmosphere made it one of the city’s biggest recent events, boosting:
Local tourism
Hospitality businesses
National attention for Chelmsford
Previous host cities have included:
Leicester
Preston
Chelmsford (2025)
Stirling (2026)
That rotation keeps the event fresh — but also means fans may need to wait a few years before it returns to Essex.
After a hugely successful weekend in Essex last year, many local music fans have been asking the same question — will BBC Radio 2 in the Park return to Chelmsford in 2026?
The short answer is: not this year.
Where is Radio 2 in the Park 2026?
The 2026 edition of the popular music festival has been confirmed for Stirling, rather than Chelmsford.The event will take place:
Date: 7–9 August 2026
Venue: City Park, Stirling
The festival is designed to move around different UK cities each year, bringing major live music acts to new audiences.
Chelmsford’s 2025 success
Chelmsford hosted the event in 2025 at Hylands Park, drawing tens of thousands of visitors across the weekend.Big-name performances and a vibrant atmosphere made it one of the city’s biggest recent events, boosting:
Local tourism
Hospitality businesses
National attention for Chelmsford
Could it return to Chelmsford?
While there’s no confirmation for 2026, the rotating format means Chelmsford could host the festival again in future years.Previous host cities have included:
Leicester
Preston
Chelmsford (2025)
Stirling (2026)
That rotation keeps the event fresh — but also means fans may need to wait a few years before it returns to Essex.
City Park - Stirling
City Park
Stirling
Radio 2 in the Park
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