The British pop and soul star will close the festival’s main stage when it arrives in Sunderland this May.
Olivia Dean Leads the Final Night Lineup
Olivia Dean has been announced as the headline act for the final day of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026. The annual music festival will take place in Sunderland, England from May 22 through May 24, bringing a lineup of major international and UK artists to the city.
Dean will close out the main stage on Sunday, May 24. Joining her for the final night are Irish singer Niall Horan, formerly of One Direction, and American R and B artist Kehlani.
A Strong Year for the Rising Star
The headlining slot comes during a major year for Olivia Dean. The British singer recently won four awards at the 2026 BRIT Awards, further establishing her as one of the most prominent voices in contemporary UK pop and soul.
Her performance at Radio 1’s Big Weekend is expected to cap off the festival with one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend.
A Diverse Lineup Across the Weekend
Several other artists have also been confirmed for the festival. Zara Larsson, Louis Tomlinson and Lola Young are scheduled to perform on the main stage throughout the weekend.
The festival will begin on Friday with a dance focused opening day led by electronic music acts Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera. Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 will run from May 22 to May 24 in Sunderland, marking one of the UK’s biggest music events of the spring season.
