Chelmsford revealed as BBC Radio 2 in the Park 2025 location

BBC Radio 2 has announced this year’s location for its flagship live music festival will be Chelmsford in Essex.

Radio 2 in the Park will take place in Hylands Park, just outside the city, from 5 to 7 September.

The announcement was made on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show with the artist line-up to be revealed on the same show on Tuesday. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday.

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said it was to be the “biggest part of the year” while leader of Chelmsford City Council, Stephen Robinson, added it was a “fantastic opportunity” for the city.

The announcement came as Mills was speaking to fellow Radio 2 presenter and comedian, Ellie Taylor, who hails from Essex.

She was live on air at Hylands House within the park alongside Rylan Clark, also from Essex, to reveal the location.

“We’ve been busy booking some of the world’s most loved artists to perform to thousands of revellers in Hylands Park, as well as to millions of listeners and viewers at home or on the move,” Ms Thomas said.

“We can’t wait to bring our family of Radio 2 presenters to Essex.”

Robinson added that Hylands House was “no stranger to music festivals”, having previously hosted V Festival, Creamfields South and Country Calling.

“BBC Radio 2 in the Park is a fantastic opportunity for Chelmsford – one that will lift our local economy and boost the city’s position as a top events destination,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming world-famous music acts and thousands of Radio 2 fans from across the UK to our brilliant city this summer, for this unrivalled three-day celebration of music.”

In recent years the festival has been held in Preston in Lancashire and in Leicester.