The countdown is finally over, the weekend is here and festival-goers are spilling into Hylands Park for the 20th anniversary V Festival. 

V Festival sponsored by Virgin Media officially opened its gates today. 

Over 250,000 guests will descend onto the fields at Hyland’s Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire to celebrate with global platinum-selling artist Calvin Harris and iconic rockers Kasabian.

The line-up is as hot as tomorrow’s Hyland’s weather forecast as Calvin and the boys will be joined by the world’s biggest music acts including international chart-topper Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, The Script, Stereophonics, Paloma Faith, Tom Jones, Clean Bandit, Kodaline, Ella Henderson and Spotify’s most-played artists George Ezra, James Bay and Hozier along with many more.

Club MTV will kick off the weekend in style with a 20th Birthday party in the Sure Arena this evening, at both sites, with Majestic, R3wire & Varski and DJ S.K.T tearing up the dance floor.

Bob Angus, Festival Directorlooks forward to the big weekend: “This weekend is a huge benchmark in V Festival’s history, it’s incredible to think what V has achieved in the last two decades from our humble beginnings as two stages and one tent.

"We wanted to champion British talent at this year’s festival and with the likes of Calvin and Kasabian leading the way, it won’t disappoint.

"The eclectic mix of established artists and rising stars means that once again there is something for everyone at V Festival.”

The hottest names in music will be performing alongside hilarious comedy headliners including Russell Kane, Frankie Boyle, Shappi Khorsandi, Seann Walsh, Gary Delaney and Nick Helm who will all take centre stage in the Glee Club Comedy Tent.

DJ/producer Mark Ronson will also be manning the turntables alongside A-Trak for an exclusive collaboration at the UK’s biggest house party in the Virgin Media Our House, in Chelmsford. A collaboration that will be live-streamed on Virgin Media’s YouTube channel.

The glamorous V Style camping will also return for its fifth year.

V Style is now an established part of the V Festival family, giving music fans the chance to experience the best of both worlds – enjoying a mix of music and comedy and relaxing at pampering stations and in ready built bell tents, huts, and luxury yurts.

For more information go to www.vfestival.com