BBC Radio 2 has a history of pure pedigree when it comes to outdoor celebrations. Having boasted headliners including Kylie, Tom Jones, Elton John and the Pet Shop Boys, they are known for always sharing an eclectic range of artists to their incredibly accessibly priced musical feasts. As they head to Hylands Park in Essex for their 2025 spectacle, they celebrate the rockier side of life with Bryan Adams and Def Leppard as their bill-topping acts, but for those with poppier palettes, Louise Redknapp, Jessie J and Ella Henderson are all on hand too. As the former site of V Fest, Hylands Park is no stranger to live music, and as over 30,000 people descend on its lush green space, the buzz in the atmosphere is addictive as people mooch between the mainstage, the DJ tent, the BBC Sounds Garden and the multitude of food stalls.

Before we talk music, it is important to note that the BBC Radio 2 audience is one that festivals would be truly envious of. With a real warmth filling Hylands Park, the strength of BBC Radio 2 on the Park, while sparked by the warmth of the presenters and buzz of the artists, actually came from the truly open and appreciative audience. With many brief conversations had with strangers throughout the weekend, those little insights and shared experiences built a true sense of togetherness that offered a heightened level of enjoyment. From kind audience members allowing a lifelong Ronan fan to move towards the front just to get a better glimpse of her icon, to the water being passed constantly from security via audience members, to the little lost boy who felt secure enough to allow strangers to lift him above the crowd to try spot his family, there was a unity that is really rare at an event these days.

Equally impressive was the layout of the festival. Making the most of the V-shaped space at Hylands Park, the DJ Tent and the Main Stage were well spaced out, with zero sound travelliung between the two and the sprawl of food stalls and impressive big wheel creating plenty of fun in the between space. With a range of BBC Radio 2 in the Park merch available, Def Leppard, Bryan Adams and Stereophonics fans had the opportunity to also indulge in additional purchases.

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• Bryan Adams and Meel C Photo: Charlotte Ashworth (BBC)©
• Stereophonics Photo: BBC©
• Sophie Ellis-Baxtor Photo: BBC©
• Olly Murs Photo: BBC©
• Suede Photo: BBC©
• DJ Vernon Kaye Photo: BBC©

Now, the entertainment... While the additionals made the experience a very memorable weekend, it was of course the DJ sets and live music that the audience turned out in their droves. The DJ Tent overflowed, with guest appearances from the likes of The Fizz making it all the more notable, but it was in the depths of the packed main stage that the euphoria reached its peak. With some of the industry's finest talent, the 30 minute sets offered the perfect opportunity for epic sing alongside insight into new and upcoming material.

Although all the sets were notable in their own ways, there were a few key highlights. Jessie J really stole the show with her largest ever acoustic set. The truly humble star has had a very challenging 2025, but she was clearly thrilled to be able to showcase material new and old alongside her natural comedic talents, however, it was her son Sky's stage debut that clearly touched her the most. A very personal set will have thrilled her loyal fans, but also won her an army of new ones. Sophie Ellis-Bextor opened Sunday's main stage with her usual flair. With her on-stage dynamism, unique dance moves and much-loved anthems, she had the audience eating out of the palm of her hands. Louise slunk across stage with a real warmth, and while the focus was on her classic hits, it also showed the strength of her Confessions album. Olly Murs, fresh from becoming a dad for a second time, was the effortless showman. His cheeky chappie demeanour peaked with the awesome new single, Save Me, however, it was his tender tribute to Caroline Flack on Dear Darlin' that really had the biggest impact. Ella Henderson dance fuelled set was evenly balanced with her more Country leanings and saw the crowd go wild. David Gray revisited his early hits and was rewarded with huge applause. Special guests were the flavour of the weekend, with Anastacia having shone during her own slot, her twice-rehearsed rendition of Up with Olly Murs definitely packed more punch than Rylan's runs when he joined Anastacia for her set.
With a rockier leaning to the headliners, Bryan Adams delivered a very driven set. As he promoted his latest studio album, which he celebrated a #3 UK Album Charts position for just ahead of his appearance, the audience were ready for a charged sing along. With his audience in fine voice, it was clear Adams was very much enjoying himself. Having joined Ronan Keating earlier on in the day to revisit their past collaboration, the audience erupted with excitement when Melanie C bounced on-stage for a joyous rendition of When You're Gone. Perhaps more divisive in the selection as a headliner, particularly on such a pop-fuelled day that saw Suede the closest aligned to their sound, Def Leppard more than proved their worth as weekend closers. As they delivered faultless renditions of their classic hits, the crowd went wild for key moments Armageddon It and Rock! Rock! (Till you Drop), the crowd would have blown the roof off the venue, had their been one.

BBC Radio 2 In The Park grows each and every year and has become a must-attend event. 2025 showed that it continues to blossom and many magical memories were made over the course of a weekend in a very sunny Essex