Olivia Dean to Headline Final Day of Radio 1's Big Weekend 2026 in Sunderland

Olivia Dean will headline the final day of BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2026 in Sunderland, joined by Niall Horan, Kehlani, and more. The festival runs from 22-24 May with around 100 acts across three days.

Olivia Dean to Close Radio 1's Big Weekend in Sunderland

Olivia Dean is set to headline the final day of BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend as the festival returns to Sunderland this year.

The pop artist will close the Sunday lineup alongside former One Direction member Niall Horan and American singer Kehlani.

Singers Zara Larsson, Louis Tomlinson, and Lola Young are scheduled to perform on the main stage on Saturday, while DJs Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera will open the festival on the dance-focused first day.

The annual music festival will be held at Herrington Country Park in Sunderland from Friday, 22 May to Sunday, 24 May.

Olivia Dean's Recent Achievements

Dean solidified her status as one of the UK's most promising artists last month by winning four awards at the Brits, including Best British Artist.

She also received Best Album for her soulful second record, The Art of Loving, and Song of the Year for her current number one collaboration with Sam Fender, "Rein Me In."

The 26-year-old Londoner additionally earned the Grammy Award for Best New Artist last month and is nominated for four MOBO Awards.

Niall Horan's Upcoming Release

After months of anticipation, Horan is expected to release his new single "Dinner Party" later this month, marking his first solo release since his 2023 album.

Irish singer CMAT and Myles Smith will also perform on the main stage on Sunday, while artists such as jazz quintet Ezra Collective, FLO, and Jorja Smith will appear on the new music stage.

Niall Horan performs on stage at a festival. He's a white man and is standing with a guitar on a strap around his shoulders with his right arm resting on the end of the instrument. He's wearing a white vest and is smiling looking into the distance. — Niall Horan will release his new single Dinner Party later this month

Saturday's Lineup and Artist Highlights

Dean and Horan join Swedish pop star Zara Larsson, who rose to prominence in 2016 with her hit "Lush Life," one of that year's major soundtracks.

Zara Larsson performing onstage during the Grammy Awards in February. She is a white woman with blonde hair and is holding a shiny silver microphone in her right hand and signing into it with her mouth open. Her left arm is down with her palm outstretched. She is wearing a shiny yellow skirt which has lots of strands coming off it and going out from her side and back, as if inspired by a sun. She also has a cropped shiny yellow bra-style top on which has one strap across her shoulder. — Swedish pop star Zara Larsson is one of the Saturday headliners this year

Tomlinson, like fellow former One Direction members Horan, Harry Styles, and Zayn Malik, is releasing new music this year and will perform at Big Weekend between European and North American tour dates.

Grammy-winning singer Lola Young recently returned to live performances after collapsing at a US show and taking time off to focus on her wellbeing.

Other notable Saturday performers include Nothing But Thieves, Skye Newman, Ellie Goulding, James Blake, Mitski, and Rachel Chinouriri.

Friday's Dance-Focused Opening

Fatboy Slim, a regular on the UK festival circuit known for crowd favorites like "Praise You," was previously announced as Friday's headliner, alongside Australian producer Sonny Fodera.

Historical Context and Attendance

Sunderland last hosted Radio 1's Big Weekend in May 2005, featuring artists such as Gwen Stefani, Foo Fighters, and the Black Eyed Peas.

Tens of thousands of fans are expected to attend this year's three-day event, which will showcase approximately 100 acts.

Tickets for Friday went on sale last week, with Saturday and Sunday tickets available from 17:00 GMT on Wednesday, giving local residents priority access.

General admission tickets for Saturday and Sunday are priced at £44.50 per day, while VIP tickets cost £106.00.

Attendees can purchase up to two tickets per person for each day of the festival.

About Big Weekend

Big Weekend, BBC Radio 1's flagship event, is held annually in a different location, often in towns and cities that typically have limited access to large live music events.

Last year, about 100,000 music fans attended the event in Sefton Park, Liverpool, which was nicknamed "Scouse Coachella."

A crowd of people at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool. — Last year's Big Weekend in Liverpool was dubbed "Scouse Coachella"

Tom Grennan, Sam Fender, and Mumford & Sons headlined the Liverpool event, with Ed Sheeran making a surprise appearance and former Little Mix star JADE becoming emotional on stage.

Previous years have seen major acts such as US pop star Taylor Swift performing in Norwich and Swansea, grime artist Stormzy in Exeter, pop rock band The 1975 in Dundee, and US singer Bruno Mars in Londonderry.