Radio 2 in the Park shake-up as dates move to September

The three-day Radio 2 in the Park event in Stirling is moving from August to September, following discussions with festival organisers and industry stakeholders.

The decision comes after engagement with local partners since the event was first announced earlier this year, including feedback from the Scottish Independent Festival Association, which raised concerns about the impact of staging the festival in August alongside other major events in the area.

The BBC said it had listened to those concerns and taken the decision to reschedule in order to better support the wider independent festival landscape in Scotland, while still delivering a major live music event for audiences.

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said the aim remained to deliver a major event for Stirling that benefits both audiences and the local community, while supporting the wider festival ecosystem.

She said: “Our aim has always been to bring a brilliant event to Stirling, providing value for Scottish audiences and making a positive impact on the local community, just as we have done in Leicester, Preston and Chelmsford in previous years.”

She added that the BBC had worked closely with the Scottish Independent Festival Association to find a solution that supports a strong summer of live music across Scotland.

While acknowledging the change may affect some audience plans, she said the BBC wanted to confirm the decision as early as possible and remained excited about bringing Radio 2 to Stirling.

Stirling Council welcomed the announcement, highlighting the city’s experience in hosting large-scale events and its anticipation of welcoming fans and artists.

A spokesperson said: “We are delighted that BBC Radio 2 in the Park is coming to Scotland for the first time to City Park Stirling, which has a proven track record of successfully hosting large-scale events.”

The Scottish Independent Festival Association also welcomed the collaboration, describing Scotland as a strong location for events of all sizes and emphasising the importance of maintaining a balanced festival calendar.

New dates for Radio 2 in the Park will be confirmed shortly, with line-up announcements and ticket details expected to follow.

The festival will once again be broadcast across BBC platforms, including Radio 2, BBC Sounds, BBC iPlayer and BBC television, bringing live performances and coverage to audiences across the UK.