A major new outdoor music event attracting 10,000 people is planned for Stockwood Park this year as part of celebrations marking 150 years since Luton became a borough.
The Luton 150 Party in the Park, set to take place on Saturday 12 September, is being billed as the biggest celebration of the anniversary year and will feature a line-up of local and national performers alongside food and drink stalls and family entertainment.
If it draws the expected crowds, it would be the first large-scale music event in the town since BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend was held in Luton in 2024 when an estimated 100,000 music lovers enjoyed music across three days in Stockwood Park, culminating in global stars Coldplay closing out the festival and frontman Chris Martin performing a special song written especially about the town.
The concert forms part of a year-long programme of events announced by Luton Council leader Councillor Hazel Simmons at a recent launch event for the Luton 150 celebrations, marking the 150th anniversary of the town being granted borough status in 1876.
The weekend of music will continue the following day with Proms in the Park Luton on Sunday 13 September, also at Stockwood Park. The event will showcase performers from Luton Music Service, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, with a programme culminating in music from the Last Night of the Proms.
Ticket information is expected to be released in the spring.
Councillor Simmons said the wider events programme reflected residents’ desire to see more cultural and heritage activities across the town.
“2026 is a significant year in Luton’s history, and our events programme reflects the pride we have in our town and its people,” she said. “Residents have told us they want to see more live music and heritage events, and this programme delivers just that.
“As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Luton’s borough status, we are also celebrating the people, places and stories that make Luton what it is today. At the same time, we are looking ahead, with continued investment in the town centre and beyond to ensure Luton remains a great place to live and work for the next 150 years.”
Other highlights planned throughout the year include a Victorian-themed market on Market Hill for St George’s Day on Saturday 25 April, reflecting the era when Luton first became a borough.
A new exhibition, Luton Made: Vauxhall, will also open at Stockwood Discovery Centre in May. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, it will explore the role the Vauxhall car plant and the town’s wider industrial heritage played during the 20th century, drawing on artefacts, photographs and oral histories collected from former workers and residents.
The council’s summer programme of town centre events will also return, with Beats & Bites in the Hat District and Market Hill Live both coming back after strong attendance last year. A new event, Funk ‘n’ Soul, will also debut, showcasing jazz, soul, blues and funk artists.
Councillor Javeria Hussain and vice-chair of sponsors Luton Rising, said: “Luton Rising is proud to be supporting and helping to deliver many of the fantastic events taking place throughout this special 150th anniversary year.
“Our contribution will build on Luton’s already much-loved events programme helping to make this year’s celebrations even more memorable for our community.
“We are pleased to join in with our communities to celebrate 150 years of borough status — a proud moment for our town and a testament to our shared commitment to Luton’s future.”
Several other organisations are also planning events to mark the anniversary. Luton International Carnival will celebrate its 50th year and return to its original home in Wardown Park on Sunday 24 May, while partners including Luton BID, Luton Point and Luton Heritage Forum are also organising activities.
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