Stirling Selected to Host BBC Radio 2 in the Park Festival in August

BBC Radio 2 has selected Stirling to host its 2024 Radio 2 in the Park festival from 7-9 August, marking the station's first major live music event in Scotland since 2018. The event will feature multiple stages and tens of thousands of fans.

BBC Radio 2 Announces Stirling as Host City for 2024 Festival

BBC Radio 2 has confirmed Stirling as the location for its flagship live music festival, Radio 2 in the Park, scheduled to take place at City Park from 7 to 9 August 2024.

DJ Scott Mills revealed the news on his Radio 2 breakfast show, describing the event as "an absolute treat." The full artist line-up and ticketing information will be released at a later date.

"A Scottish crowd is the best crowd," Mills stated. "What an absolute treat for Radio 2 in the Park to land in Scotland this summer. Every time I've DJ'd in Scotland I received the warmest welcome, so I truly cannot wait for what promises to be the most brilliant weekend in August."

Stirling Council A large park with a stage in the middle and crowds. Stirling Castle is visible in the background — City Park was the venue for Stirling Summer Sessions in 2024

Support and Excitement from Radio 2 and Stirling Officials

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, expressed that the station's presenters were "hugely excited" about coming to Stirling. Stirling Council leader Susan McGill highlighted the event as a "huge boost" for the city and the surrounding region.

To mark the announcement, the National Wallace Monument and the Tolbooth music venue in Stirling were illuminated in orange on Thursday night.

Thomas Lamont The top of a large stone monument at night illuminated in orange. The city of Stirling is in the background. — The National Wallace Monument in Stirling was lit up in orange to mark the announcement

About Radio 2 in the Park

Radio 2 in the Park is the station's annual flagship live music event, showcasing some of the biggest UK and international artists in cities that might not typically host large-scale music festivals. The 2024 festival will feature three stages and is expected to attract tens of thousands of music fans.

Last year, the festival was held in Chelmsford, while the 2023 event took place in Preston. The 2024 festival will commence with a Friday-night DJ party on 7 August.

This event represents the first major Radio 2 live music occasion in Scotland since BBC Music's Biggest Weekend in May 2018 at Scone Castle, Perth. In 2023, Radio 1's Big Weekend was held at Camperdown Country Park in Dundee.

Statements from Radio 2 and Local Authorities

"Everyone in the Radio 2 presenter family is hugely excited to be heading to Stirling for our Radio 2 in the Park weekend. When they all found out together that we were going to Scotland, a cheer rang out across the room," said Helen Thomas. "We're now busy building a line-up of some of the world's most loved artists to perform live for tens of thousands of people in the park, as well as for millions of listeners and viewers at home or on the move."

In 2023, Stirling Council announced a £750,000 investment in City Park to develop it into "Scotland's leading sustainable outdoor events space."

"We can't wait to welcome fans and artists to our amazing city for an unforgettable celebration of world-class live music set to the stunning backdrop of Stirling Castle," said Councillor Susan McGill. "While Stirling has a proud track record of successfully staging major music events, Radio 2 in the Park will be our biggest one yet."