BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
- Road closures and noise
- Resident protection zone and applying for a permit
- Getting to and from the event
- General information and frequently asked questions
- Event and line up details from the BBC
- Friday 24 May 8am to midnight
- Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May 8am to 11pm
BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend music event will be held in Luton’s Stockwood Park on Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May 2024.
This is one of the UK’s most popular music festivals, attracting top artists, with thousands in attendance and millions watching on television. The event is set to give a massive boost to Luton’s economy and reputation, and will provide a number of opportunities for local people and businesses.
Information for local residents and businesses
We're pleased that this event is coming to Luton as there will be massive benefits to the area and opportunities for local people and artists. However, we recognise that and event of this scale will mean that some of you will be impacted and inconvenienced over the weekend.
We've developed a traffic management plan (TMP) for the weekend and have taken on board local residents’ feedback from the last public events, which has helped to shape some of this.
A number of roads will be closed over the weekend for the safety of residents and festival goers.
A residential protection zone (RPZ) parking scheme has been put in place to ensure residents on the vast majority of the impacted roads will still be able to access their roads during the weekend.
If you experience any issues over the weekend please call the dedicated helpline on 0203 781 7164.
This line will be operational:
- Friday 24 May: 8am to midnight
- Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May: 8am to 11pm
Frequently asked questions
All the information you need should be on these web pages but if your question can’t be answered online, there's a dedicated phone number to call over the weekend: 0203 781 7164.
You can also email [email protected] if you experience any inconvenience.
We've written to residents living close to the event with more details and held drop ins sessions so people could find out more.
The event is being organised by a team with a long track record of delivering major live music festivals and events. There's a dedicated helpline 0203 781 7164 for residents with any concerns, including noise during the event.
This line will be operational:
- Friday 24 May: 8am to midnight
- Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May: 8am to 11pm
You can also find out more by visiting our residents parking and noise page.
Much of the park will remain available to visitors, apart from the days of the festival weekend.
We've been engaging with impacted businesses over the last few months. If you believe you're impacted and would like to find out more, please email [email protected].
Yes, additional parking enforcement parking enforcement will be in place.
Unfortunately, the BBC have confirmed that they're unable to support or sponsor any local charities or provide spaces for them to attend the Radio 1 Big Weekend event. BBC Radio 1 supports the BBC Children In Need appeal and Comic Relief/Sports Relief each year, which in turn help a wide range of initiatives and good causes.
As a result they are unable to help promote other charitable efforts across the year, or link to fundraising pages.
A dedicated outreach programme is being delivered in partnership with the BBC in order to provide opportunities for our young people. This will shape a programme targeted at 16 to 24-year-olds and will include everything from work placements, volunteering, apprenticeships and permanent roles in the future.
Event details
Radio 1’s Big Weekend is delivered in partnership between BBC and Luton Council. Festival Republic has been appointed by the BBC as event organisers to deliver the event.
Festival Republic is the UK's largest festival and event promoter. The team proudly organises festivals such as Reading and Leeds, Latitude, Electric Picnic, Berlin Festival and Lollapalooza Berlin.
- Friday 24 May 2024, gates open from 2pm with a 11pm finish
- Saturday 25 May 2024, gates open from 10:30 am with a 10pm finish
- Sunday 26 May 2024, gates open from 10:30 am with a 10pm finish
The full line is published on Radio 1’s website: bbc.co.uk/bigweekend.
You can email any questions through to [email protected] and we'll make sure your query is forwarded to the most appropriate person. It could be the council, BBC or Festival Republic who respond.
Full information on accessible facilities available at this event, and how ticket holders can register for these, are shared on Radio 1's website.
There will be stewarding and security both in and around the event, plus civil and neighbourhood enforcement.