Radio 2 in the Park 2025 Heads to Hylands Park, Chelmsford for Three-Day BBC Festival

BBC Brings Radio 2 in the Park Back to Hylands Park

Get ready for one of the UK’s most anticipated music weekends—Radio 2 in the Park is coming back to Hylands Park in Chelmsford in 2025. Spanning three days, from Friday, September 5 to Sunday, September 7, the BBC’s flagship festival promises a whirlwind of music, food, and community vibes that regularly draws in crowds from across the country.

This marks the festival’s return to Hylands Park, a location that knows how to play host. Supported by the park’s historic estate and sprawling lawns, the setting suits music lovers and families looking to spend a weekend soaking in tunes and sunshine. If you’ve never been, Hylands Park isn’t just open space—it's got those sweeping fields and a stately home that feels almost too perfectly British for a pop fest.

Tickets? The initial release vanished in no time— it’s never easy to keep up with demand for this event, especially since it’s got a rep for selling out fast. If you missed the first round, don’t panic. The BBC will dish out the remaining tickets in stages, and they recommend keeping an eye on their official channels or newsletter for any updates. Experience shows waiting until the last minute to buy isn’t a great plan.

What to Expect at the Festival

The full list of performers hasn’t landed yet, but looking at previous years, there’s plenty to get excited about. Radio 2 in the Park is known for mixing chart-toppers, legendary acts, and some of the freshest voices in music under one sky. Past editions have seen headline slots from stars like Kylie Minogue and Nile Rodgers, while acts from folk, pop, indie, and beyond have filled out the schedule.

Organizers keep things friendly for all ages, with family zones, tasty food vendors, and plenty of extras that go beyond just live sets. It’s more than a stage and a crowd—it’s face painting for the kids, picnic spots, and even late-summer fairground rides. Nobody’s left standing hungry either: expect a street food takeover, everything from vegan wraps to classic British chips.

If you’re local to Essex, the economic buzz can’t be ignored—hotels, cafes, and even taxi drivers tend to get a boost, while the sight of festival-goers wandering the town with wristbands adds its own energy. For many, it’s more than music; it's a reason for friends old and new to meet up, catch fresh acts, and soak up the end-of-summer atmosphere.

• Hylands Park’s wide open spaces mean plenty of room for sprawling crowds
• Past festivals here have hosted tens of thousands—book early or risk missing out
• Family-friendly planning is a top priority: think buggy parking and child-friendly toilets
• Diverse programming ensures there’s something on for everyone, no matter your taste

Keep checking those official BBC sources, as the lineup is likely to be teased bit by bit over social media and their website. If previous years are anything to go by, expect a bold mix of nostalgia and new discoveries—not to mention plenty of opportunities to simply hang out and enjoy Hylands Park’s late-summer charm.