BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
The flagship 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.
- Luton International Carnival, which normally takes place on the Sunday of the late May bank holiday weekend, will be moving to Monday 27 May 2024.
- To find out more about opportunities for businesses and traders, please go to Step Forward Luton - Big Weekend opportunities.
- There will be a number of opportunities to volunteer during the weekend. If you'd like to register your interest, please visit StepForwardLuton.
- To find out about getting to and from the event, visit Step Forward Luton
See also:
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 some of you will be impacted and may be inconvenienced over the weekend.
As a neighbour of the park, a nearby resident or someone living near some of the main transport links for the event, we want to assure you that a lot of work is being put into event plans so we can look to minimise disruption as much as possible.
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.
We're holding two more public meetings on Tuesday 23 April to explain:
- 3 to 5pm: Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, LU1 4LX
- 6 to 7.30pm: Stockwood Park Academy, Rotheram Avenue, Luton. LU1 5PP
Frequently asked questions
From the start of the build and on event days, we'll have a dedicated and direct phone number and email to contact 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 can find out more.
You can also email any questions through to [email protected]. We'll make sure your query is forwarded to the most appropriate person to respond, whether at the council, BBC or Festival Republic.
The event is being organised by a team with a long track record of delivering major live music festivals and events. There will be a dedicated helpline for any residents with any concerns, including noise during the event. This phone number will be published nearer the time. You can find out more by visiting here (link to noise section of resident page)
Much of the park will remain available to visitors, apart from the days of the festival weekend. However, there will still be very limited access to the park during those days too.
We appreciate that businesses in the area may have questions about how this event may affect them.
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.
At this stage we're not aware that there will be any other opportunities for voluntary and community sector organisations outside of the event itself. But if there are, these will be promoted via Luton Council social media channels and on this webpage.
We're scoping out a dedicated outreach programme 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. Details will be released in due course.
Event details - frequently asked questions
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.
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.
At this stage we're not aware that there will be any other opportunities for voluntary and community sector organisations outside of the event itself. But if there are, these will be promoted via Luton Council social media channels and on this webpage.
We're scoping out a dedicated outreach programme 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
- permanent roles in the future
Details will be released in due course.