Clean-up Operation Underway at Sefton Park After BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend Festival
A massive clean-up operation is currently underway at Sefton Park in Liverpool after the hugely successful BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend Festival took place over the bank holiday weekend. The festival, which was held from Friday, May 23 to Sunday, May 25, saw a whopping 100,000 people visit the park to enjoy live performances from top artists such as Sam Fender, Blossoms, JADE, and a surprise performance from Ed Sheeran.
The set-up operation for the festival was massive, with four different stages needing to be erected in the park, along with a VIP area and backstage zones. Road closures were put in place in the area, with boards going up to block off areas of the park that would form part of the festival site. Once works were completed, the festival site was an impressive and sprawling sight – it featured a big wheel, a big-top circus-style tent, food vendors, and a VIP area.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the take-down and clear-up works will also be a significant operation, with a number of pathways that were closed off on festival days quickly reopened once the event finished, with members of the public able to access much of the park. However, some sections of road remained closed off, with a sign in one area stating, "Car park closed May 8, 2025, to June 6, 2025.
Photos taken at Sefton Park one week on from the event show some of the boards still in place around the perimeter of the event site, with posters still advertising BBC Radio 1 shows, TV shows, and acts who featured on the festival bill. Dog walkers, runners, and cyclists continued to navigate the perimeter of the site, while stages could be seen being dismantled inside the event space.
The Liverpool Echo reported that this week, the BBC thanked Liverpool for hosting a "hugely successful event" and "for making it an unforgettable weekend". A statement from BBC Radio 1 said: "Thank you to the city of Liverpool for hosting Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025. It was a hugely successful event, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who attended for making it an unforgettable weekend."
The festival featured a number of standout performances, including a heartfelt tribute from Tom Grennan and Mel C to the 97 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster. Ed Sheeran also made a surprise appearance on Saturday, performing a solo set to a packed crowd. Other highlights included performances from Aitch B2B AJ Tracey, Blossoms, Wolf Alice, and Sam Fender.
The festival was concluded by Little Mix star JADE taking over the New Music Stage for a solo performance, and indie-folk band Mumford & Sons closing the Main Stage with a spectacular display of unity from the crowd, who shone their phone torches to create a dazzling display of light.
The clean-up operation at Sefton Park is expected to take some time, but the Liverpool Echo will continue to provide updates on the progress. In the meantime, the city of Liverpool can reflect on a successful and unforgettable weekend of music and entertainment.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend Festival was a huge success, and it’s clear that the event will be remembered for a long time to come. With thousands of people attending the festival and enjoying the live performances, it’s no surprise that the clean-up operation is a significant task. But with the city of Liverpool and the BBC working together, the park will be back to its usual state in no time.
The Liverpool Echo has been providing extensive coverage of the festival and its impact on the local community. For more information and updates on the clean-up operation, visit the Liverpool Echo website.
