The BBC Proms isn’t just another concert series-it’s the world’s largest classical music festival, and in 2025, it’s back with more energy, more variety, and more ways to experience it than ever before. For over 120 years, the Proms have turned the Royal Albert Hall into a living room for music lovers, where you can stand in the arena for £8 or sit in the stalls for a once-in-a-lifetime performance. This year, the festival runs from July 19 to September 13, with 90 concerts across London and beyond. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or someone who’s never stepped into a concert hall, the Proms 2025 has something that will make you sit up and listen.
What Makes the BBC Proms Different?
Most classical festivals are formal, quiet affairs. The Proms? They’re loud, messy, and full of life. People cheer between movements. You can bring your own food and drink into the arena. Kids run around. Someone’s always singing along to Rule, Britannia! It’s not just music-it’s a shared experience. The BBC has kept this spirit alive by making tickets affordable and the atmosphere welcoming. You don’t need to know the difference between a fugue and a sonata to enjoy it. Just show up, find a spot, and let the music take over.
The Proms also mix the old with the new. You’ll hear Beethoven’s Fifth one night and a world premiere by a 28-year-old composer from Lagos the next. In 2025, the festival includes 12 new commissions, including works inspired by climate change, migration, and digital identity. This isn’t a museum of classical music-it’s a living, breathing conversation across centuries.
Key Concerts to Mark in Your Calendar
With 90 concerts, you can’t see them all. But here are the ones you shouldn’t miss:
- Prom 1: Opening Night - July 19 - The Royal Albert Hall lights up with a performance of Holst’s The Planets and a new piece by Grace-Evangeline Mason. The BBC Symphony Orchestra kicks off the season with fireworks-literally and musically.
- Prom 22: The Last Night of the Proms - September 13 - This is the event. The flag-waving, the sea of Union Jacks, the Pomp and Circumstance singalongs, the jelly babies thrown into the crowd. It’s chaotic, patriotic, and utterly unforgettable. Tickets sell out months in advance.
- Prom 38: Women in Music - August 7 - A full evening of works by female composers, from Clara Schumann to Unsuk Chin. The BBC Philharmonic brings together pieces that have been overlooked for too long.
- Prom 55: Film Scores Live - August 21 - John Williams’ themes from Star Wars, Hans Zimmer’s Dune, and a surprise orchestral arrangement of a modern video game soundtrack. You’ll hear the music you grew up with, played by 100 musicians live.
- Prom 72: Global Sounds - September 5 - A fusion of Western classical with West African drumming, Indian ragas, and Japanese koto. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales teams up with guest artists from Ghana, India, and Japan.
These aren’t just concerts-they’re events. Each one has a theme, a story, and a reason it’s being performed. The Proms team doesn’t just pick famous pieces; they curate experiences.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets for the Proms are among the most accessible in the classical world. Here’s how it works:
- Arena tickets - £8 each. Stand at the front, right under the orchestra. No seats, no fancy dress. Just you and the music. You can buy these the day of the concert, starting at 10am at the Royal Albert Hall box office. Many people queue for hours. Arrive early, bring a snack, and make friends.
- Gallery tickets - £5. High up in the balcony, but you get a great view and the best acoustics in the hall. Also available day-of.
- Seated tickets - £10 to £75. These are sold online in advance. The best value? Look for £10 tickets for the first 30 minutes of each concert. They’re released at 10am on the Monday before the concert.
- Free broadcasts - Every concert is streamed live on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds. Some are also televised on BBC Four. If you can’t make it to London, you’re not missing out.
Pro tip: If you’re planning to attend multiple concerts, buy a Proms Pass. For £150, you get 10 tickets you can use anytime during the season. It’s the cheapest way to see the big names like the London Symphony Orchestra or the Vienna Philharmonic.
Where Else Can You Experience the Proms?
The Royal Albert Hall is the heart, but the Proms aren’t stuck there. In 2025, there are 12 outdoor concerts across the UK:
- Manchester’s Heaton Park - August 2
- Belfast’s Titanic Belfast - August 9
- Cardiff’s Principality Stadium - August 16
- Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo - August 23
- Edinburgh’s Usher Hall - September 1
These are smaller events, often with family-friendly programming. Bring a picnic blanket. Let the kids dance. It’s classical music stripped of pretension, right in your own city.
What to Wear (And What Not To)
No dress code. Seriously. People show up in jeans, t-shirts, even pajamas. One man in 2024 wore a full Viking helmet. The staff didn’t blink. If you want to wear a tuxedo, go ahead. But you won’t stand out if you’re in sneakers and a hoodie. The only rule? No loud talking during the music. Otherwise, be yourself.
Why the Proms Still Matters in 2025
Music festivals are everywhere now. But the Proms is the only one that’s been around since Queen Victoria was on the throne. It survived two world wars, a pandemic, and decades of changing tastes. Why? Because it never stopped listening to the people. It doesn’t chase trends-it creates them. It brings together a 70-year-old retired teacher and a 16-year-old gamer who just discovered orchestral music through YouTube. It doesn’t ask you to be an expert. It just asks you to show up.
In a world where everything feels expensive and exclusive, the Proms says: music belongs to everyone. And in 2025, that message is more powerful than ever.
What’s New in 2025
This year, the BBC is rolling out a few changes:
- Interactive apps - Download the Proms app to see real-time lyrics, composer bios, and instrument breakdowns during concerts.
- Audio description - For blind and visually impaired attendees, select concerts now include live audio descriptions.
- Carbon-neutral tours - The BBC is offsetting all travel for visiting orchestras. Tour buses run on biofuel.
- Young composers’ hub - A new space in the Royal Albert Hall foyer where emerging composers from across the UK showcase their work before each concert.
These aren’t just buzzwords. They’re real improvements that make the festival more inclusive, more sustainable, and more connected to the people who attend.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
If you’re coming from outside London, here’s how to plan:
- Book accommodation early. Hotels in South Kensington and Kensington are closest to the Royal Albert Hall. Hostels like YHA London Central are cheaper and just a 15-minute walk away.
- Use the Underground. The closest station is South Kensington (District, Circle, and Piccadilly lines). Avoid driving-traffic is heavy, and parking is scarce.
- Grab a bite before the show. The hall’s café opens two hours early. Try the beef and ale pie-it’s legendary.
- Bring a jacket. The arena gets chilly, even in July.
- Arrive early for arena tickets. The queue starts forming at 7am for evening concerts.
And if you’re nervous about classical music? Start with Prom 55 (Film Scores Live). You’ll recognize every note. Then go back for Beethoven. You’ll be surprised how much you love it.
When do Proms 2025 tickets go on sale?
Tickets for seated concerts go on sale to BBC Proms members on February 10, 2025. General public sales begin on February 17, 2025. Arena and gallery tickets are sold day-of at the Royal Albert Hall box office, starting at 10am.
Can I bring food and drink to the Proms?
Yes. You can bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks into the arena and gallery. Alcohol is sold inside the hall, but you can’t bring your own. There are also food stalls around the venue serving everything from pies to vegan wraps.
Are the Proms suitable for children?
Absolutely. Many concerts are family-friendly, especially the daytime Proms and the Last Night. The BBC offers free activity packs for kids, with coloring sheets and instrument quizzes. Children under 16 get free gallery tickets when accompanied by an adult.
Is there wheelchair access?
Yes. The Royal Albert Hall has full wheelchair access, including accessible seating in the arena, gallery, and stalls. You can book these tickets online or call the box office directly. Companion tickets are free.
What if I miss a concert? Can I watch it later?
Every concert is broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds. Most are also available to stream on BBC iPlayer for up to 30 days after the event. You can also find highlights on the BBC Proms YouTube channel.
What to Do After the Proms
Once the Last Night ends, the festival may be over-but the music doesn’t stop. Many of the orchestras and soloists continue touring the UK through autumn. Check out the BBC Philharmonic’s tour of northern towns, or catch the London Symphony Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. The Proms isn’t just a summer event. It’s a gateway to a year-round love of live music.