Your complete guide to Radio 2 in the Park: Weather, parking, how to watch and more…

News: Radio 2 in the Park is happening this Saturday and Sunday in Victoria Park Leicester! Whether you’re going, or intend to enjoy it from home, here’s everything you need to know.

Who is performing at Radio 2 in the Park, Leicester?

Here’s who is on the BBC Radio 2 stage, in chronological order…

Saturday 16 September

• Tears for Fears

• Gary Davies Sounds of the 80’s DJ set

• Bananarama

• Texas

• James Blunt with his only UK festival appearance this year.

• Deacon Blue

• Beverley Knight

• Busted

• Soft Cell

Sunday 17 September

• Kylie Minogue

• Scott and Rylan DJ set

• Pretenders

• Shalamar

• Rick Astley

• Jessie Ware

• Lemar

• Sam Ryder

• Simply Red with their only UK festival appearance this year

Who is performing in the Radio 2 DJ tent?

Across the weekend expect sets from Tony Blackburn, Vernon Kay, Michelle Visage, Dermot O’Leary, Sarah Cox, DJ Spoony, Jo Whiley, Owain Wyn Evans, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Rylan, OJ Borg and Trevor Neslon.

What is the weather forecast for Radio 2 in the Park, Leicester?

According to the BBC, Saturday will see light cloud, sunny intervals and light winds and a high of 21C. It will feel cooler from 8pm, once the sun goes down. No rain is predicted!

For this Sunday, light rain showers are forecast from lunchtime. Expect light winds, a mix of sunshine and cloud, and a 70% chance of rain in the afternoon. It should be dry by the time Kylie comes on. Padam!

What shows will be on Radio 2?

A host of shows will come live from the site across the weekend.

On Saturday, hear Dermot O’Leary live from Leicester as he brings listeners the Saturday Breakfast show from the city. Gary Davies takes over with a special show live from Victoria Park at 10am. You can hear Soft Cell’s set from 1pm, followed by Dermot and Rylan at 3.

Kate Bottley, Jeremy Vine and DJ Spoony take over from 6pm, Tears for Fears headline set is on at 8.30pm, then OJ Borg has the after party from 10pm.

Owain Wyn Evans, Scott Mills and Michael Ball get things going on air from 11am on Sunday, before Simply Red’s 30 minute set in full at 12.30pm. Then it’s back to Scott, Michael and Owain until Vernon Kay, Jeremy Vine and Sara Cox take over from 3pm.

Jo Whiley and Bob Harris co-host from 5pm, and then it’s Kylie Minogue’s full set from 8pm. OJ Borg has the closing party from 9pm.

On Monday morning, Zoe Ball will host the breakfast show from BBC Leicester.

You can also listen back to special shows from Jo Whiley, Scott Mills, Jeremy Vine and more, all broadcast live from Leicester via BBC Sounds.

How to get to Radio 2 in the Park

Getting There

Radio 2 In The Park 2023 is taking place in Victoria Park, Leicester LE1 7RY

View on Google Maps

In line with the BBC’s commitment to sustainability, please consider your transport methods to this event and travel sustainably where possible (e.g. public transport, low carbon vehicles or vehicle sharing).

You can check out the Choose How You Move website to help you consider a sustainable route to the site using their journey planner and lots of useful route maps.

Access customers can now view and download the event Travel Guide here.

Please remember that however you choose to travel to and from the event, as visitors to Victoria Park, we should all be respectful of the local residential area as we pass through.

 

Official Event Parking

There is strictly no parking in the roads surrounding Victoria Park to event ticket holders. These areas are restricted to permit parking only and any vehicles without a permit will be fined and could be towed.

Bookable car parking spaces are available in locations that are a short walk from the event site. For more information on the different locations available and to pre-book a space please visit the below link:

>> Book your official Radio 2 In The Park car parking <<

Tickets for car parking are selling fast – please book by Wednesday 13th September to secure your place.

 

By clicking on the above purchase link you will be redirected to the EP Data Services website. The BBC is not responsible for the content of 3rd party sites and you will be subject to EP Data Service’s privacy policy when providing your data in order to buy tickets.

 

Walking

Victoria Park is approximately 1 mile from Leicester City Centre which is around 15 minutes walking. The event site is located on a national walking and cycling route (NCN 63).

Walking routes from the city centre to the event entrances will be via New Walk and Granville Road. Please note New Walk is strictly for pedestrians and cycling here is prohibited.

Check out the Radio 2 In The Park site map before setting off so you know where your entrance is located.

 

Cycling

The event site is located on a national walking and cycling route (NCN 63).

The cycle route from the city centre will be via Pocklingtons Walk, Welford Road, Nelson Mandela Park and Lancaster Road. There will be two free bike parks for the event located within Victoria Park at the memorial and at Green Gate. Cyclists should bring their own padlocks and all belongings left will be at the owners own risk.

Please stick to the above approved cycle routes as cycling on New Walk is prohibited.

 

Local Bus Services

Leicester has a number of bus routes that service the area local to Victoria Park as well as Park and Ride services into the city centre. To see a full schedule of bus services, please see the Leicester City Council – Travelling by Bus webpage.

Leicester City Council have also recently launched the Hop! electric bus service which loops the City Centre and serves Haymarket Bus Station, Highcross, Jubilee Square, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Railway Station and the Market. The bus stop at Nelson Mandela Park is perfectly situated to access the walking & wheeling route to the park via New Walk.

 

Trains

Victoria Park is a 15 minute walk & wheel from Leicester Railway Station. Please check the National Rail website for train services.

If you are planning on travelling to the event via train, please check the time of your last train home from Leicester Railway station. Allow plenty of time to get to and from the station, as EMR expect services to be busy across the network over the weekend.

 

East Midlands Railway Timetables:

Saturday 16th September Cleethorpes -> Lincoln -> Leicester

Saturday 16th September London St Pancras -> Leicester -> Sheffield

Sunday 17th September London St Pancras -> Leicester -> Sheffield

 

Friends & Family Pick Up & Drop Off Point

If you are being picked up or dropped off for the event by a friend or family member, use the approved event Meet & Greet point for the event in Morrisons car park on Aylestone Road.

 

Taxis

There will be a dedicated TAXI Pick up and Drop off point on University Road, accessed via Regent Road. There will be road closures in the area close to Victoria Park so please ensure the driver follows event signage within the area.

 

Road Closures

Road Closure Map

To help our audience members arrive and leave the event site safely, there will be a number of road closures in operation around Victoria Park over the weekend of the 16th-17th September.

If you are travelling to the event in a taxi or private vehicle please note the below:

• Regent Road and Granville Road from junction of Tigers Way to A6 London Road – closed all day, Saturday and Sunday. With access only for pre-approved authorised vehicles.

• A6 London Road – closed from 21:00 to 00:00 on both days, to facilitate safe spectator exit from the event.

• Victoria Park Road closed between St Marys Road and St Leonards Road from 21:00 to 00:00 on both days, to facilitate safe spectator exit from the event.

• University Road will be one way only Southbound.

 

Please be considerate of our neighbours and do not park cars or arrange transport on any of the residential streets surrounding the event site and use the official, dedicated areas as highlighted on this page.

Can you still buy tickets to Radio 2 in the Park?

The event is sold out, but you resale tickets are available via Ticketmaster, so you might get lucky!

>> Click here to book tickets for Saturday 16th September <<

>> Click here to book tickets for Sunday 17th September <<

How to watch and listen to Radio 2 in the Park

Watch on iPlayer

You’ll be able to keep up to date with every minute of the live performances on the main stage, as we will be live streaming the event in full on Saturday and Sunday on BBC iPlayer. Join us live on iPlayer:

• Saturday 16th September, 1pm – 9:45pm

• Sunday 17th September, 12:30pm – 9:15pm

And if you’re not free over the weekend, you can catch up on demand after the festival – you will be able to watch full sets from all the artists, must-watch tracks from each performance and a special highlights show featuring all the biggest moments.

Available now, you can watch a very special 30-minute interview with Kylie Minogue, hosted by Scott Mills.

Listen on Sounds

Available now, you can warm up for the festival by listening to Back To Back Radio 2 In The Park on BBC Sounds. It features a number of special programmes to get you in the mood for Leicester!

You can also check out:

• My Life In A Mixtape – artists from this year’s line up pick the music that has defined their lives, including Rick Astley, Lemar, Sam Ryder, Sharleen Spiteri and more

• Eras: Kylie Minogue – a delve through the BBC’s archives, looking back at Kylie’s most iconic eras

After the festival, you will be able to listen back to highlights from the weekend:

• Live Sets

• DJ Sets – available from Wednesday 20th September

Follow the fun on Radio 2

Make sure you listen live to Radio 2 over the weekend, because our presenters will be bringing you all the fun from the ground in Leicester, with behind-the-scenes moments and more.

Radio 2 will be broadcasting the opening and closing act from each day live – Soft Cell and Tears for Fears on Saturday, Simply Red and Kylie Minogue on Sunday – and will have special event programming all weekend.

Keep up on social media

Follow Radio 2 on social media for the ultimate behind-the-scenes Radio 2 In The Park experience. We’ll be right in the heart of the action and bringing you all the gossip, so get involved!

International audiences can subscribe to the BBC Music YouTube channel to see must-watch tracks from all the artists during and after the event.

• BBC Music YouTube Channel

• Radio 2 on Instagram

• Radio 2 on TikTok

• Radio 2 on Twitter

Watch more moments on TV

There will also be coverage of the event on television. During the weekend, you can catch moments from the festival on Morning Live and The One Show, and after the festival, you can relive Kylie Minogue’s headline set on BBC Two on Saturday 23rd September.

Find highlights on Red Button

You’ll be able to watch more fun from Radio 2 In The Park on Red Button, with live coverage of the festival over the weekend from 5:30pm on Saturday onwards, plus a Best Bits highlights programme after the festival.

Information for ticket holders

Site Map

• Click to downloadClick to download a PDF format site map for the stages, bars and amenities for Radio 2 In The Park at Victoria Park Leicester

 

How do I get to the event? 

Please visit our travel page which has the most up to date information on how to get to the event.

 

When will I get my tickets?

All tickets for this event will be digital tickets. You will be able to access your digital tickets by logging into your Ticketmaster app within 2 weeks of the event. You will require your phone to show your digital ticket within the Ticketmaster app upon arrival at the event so remember to have it fully charged before you arrive!

 

What happens if I don’t receive my digital tickets?

If you’re still having problems accessing your tickets, please contact Ticketmaster’s Customer Service team.

 

Where can I find more information about hotel packages?

Hotel & ticket packages are sold by Ticketmaster and further information including who to contact to make changes about bookings can be found on the hotels section of the Ticketmaster website.

 

What food and drink will be available on site?

There will be a wide range of food traders in operation at this event selling both hot and cold food and sweet and savoury snacks. The food offering will include options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free customers.

We have a wonderful farmers market selling a selection of local produce including salads, cheeses, breads and puddings.

In addition to the main arena bars, there is also a craft beer bar, a champagne garden and gin bar.

Radio 2 in the Park: Food Map (A4 PDF Download)

We will be operating a Challenge 25 Policy and you may be asked for ID to verify your age when purchasing alcohol. We accept the following forms of ID: a valid passport; a valid EU photo card driving licence; or a photographic ID card with the National Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) hologram.

 

Will there be merchandise available to purchase for this event?

Official Radio 2 In The Park t-shirts, hoodies and programmes are available to pre-order at a discounted rate in advance of the event when purchasing your Radio 2 In The Park ticket.

There will be a merchandise stall onsite at the event with a full range of stock available to purchase. 

 

What other activities will be at the event?

Festival glitter, gems, glitter tattoos and face gems are available to purchase on site if you’d like to add some extra sparkle to your day!

The Radio 2 photobooth to the left of the main stage will be open, so make sure you head over to take a free photo with your friends and family. You’ll also catch a glimpse of some of our Radio 2 presenters live on air in the studio above it.

 

Can I bring a chair to the event?

Customers attending the event are allowed to bring with them a folding camp chair, shooting stick or a picnic blanket to sit on. These can only be used in designated areas around the site which will be signposted. No seats or blankets will be allowed to be set up within the Standing Only Areas in front of the stages as depicted by the Site Map.

Please read point 7 on the Ticket Use Terms and Conditions for more information. 

 

Are children allowed at this event?

With the exception of children aged 2 years and under, all those attending the event will need a valid ticket. PLEASE NOTE that anybody aged under 18 MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 and over. Proof of age may be requested upon entry.

 

Are there baby changing facilities?

Baby changing facilities are available within the event area and will be situated in the toilet units and at the onsite welfare tent. 

 

What if I can no longer attend?

Refunds will only be considered if the event is cancelled or postponed.

If you can no longer attend the event, you can resell your tickets at face value or less through Ticketmaster’s fan-to-fan ticket exchange platform. Ticketmaster’s official resale platform will be available to use from Monday 21st August.

Find out more information on the resale page on the Ticketmaster website.

 

Can I volunteer/do work experience at Radio 2 In The Park?

The BBC are not currently looking for volunteers or work experience staff but details of general work experience placements and vacancies across the BBC are advertised on the BBC Careers website.

 

Can my band play at Radio 2 In The Park?

The BBC aren’t looking for any more bands to play this year, but if you’re an artist wanting to get your music heard, make sure you upload your music to BBC Music Introducing.

 

I’m a resident of the local area, how do I get in touch?

If you are a local resident and have an enquiry about the event, please contact the BBC here.

All of the information given here is from the BBC and is subject to change.

Click here for more entertainment and lifestyle.

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