BBC Proms – UK 2025

Overview

The BBC Proms 2025, the world’s largest and longest-running classical music festival, runs from July 18 to September 13, 2025, offering an eight-week celebration of music with 86 concerts, including 72 at the Royal Albert Hall in London and 14 across UK cities. Founded in 1895 by conductor Henry Wood, the festival aims to make high-quality classical music accessible to all, a mission continued by the BBC since 1927. Featuring over 3,000 musicians, 21 international orchestras, and more than 80 solo debuts, the 2025 season blends classical masterpieces, contemporary premieres, and innovative performances, appealing to both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers.

Event Highlights

World Premieres: New works by composers like Errollyn Wallen, Camille Pépin, and Rachel Portman, with 19 world, European, or UK premieres, including 10 BBC commissions.
Unique Performances: Notable events include Joe Hisaishi’s “The End of the World,” Anoushka Shankar’s “Chapters” trilogy, Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk,” and St. Vincent’s orchestral debut.
International Orchestras: Performances by the Vienna Philharmonic, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Special Anniversaries: The season marks the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich’s death with eight works, including a memorized performance of his Fifth Symphony by Aurora Orchestra, and celebrates composers like Luciano Berio, Pierre Boulez, and Arvo Pärt.
Themed Events: Highlights include “The Traitors Prom” hosted by Claudia Winkleman, an overnight “From Dark Till Dawn” concert curated by Anna Lapwood, and a Belfast Prom commemorating 100 years of Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast.

Dates & Duration

Dates: July 18 – September 13, 2025
Duration: 8 weeks

Venues & Locations

Royal Albert Hall: Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP, United Kingdom (primary venue, hosting 72 concerts).
Bristol Beacon: Trenchard Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR, United Kingdom (August 22–24, 2025).
St George’s Bristol: Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR, United Kingdom (August 23, 2025).
Glasshouse International Centre for Music: St Mary’s Square, Gateshead, NE8 2JR, United Kingdom (July 25–27, 2025).
The Fire Station: High Street West, Sunderland, SR1 3HA, United Kingdom (July 24, 2025).
St George’s Hall: Bridge Street, Bradford, BD1 1JT, United Kingdom (September 7, 2025).
Ulster Hall: 34 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7FF, United Kingdom (date TBD, 2025).

Contact Information

Email: proms@bbc.co.uk, promsaccessrequest@royalalberthall.com (accessibility)
Phone: +44 845 401 5040 (general inquiries), +44 20 7070 4410 (access line, 9:00–17:00 daily)
Website: www.bbc.co.uk/proms, www.royalalberthall.com
Social Media: @bbcproms, @royalalberthall
Organizer: BBC Proms, BBC Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, W1A 1AA, United Kingdom

Ticket Information

General Sale: Opens May 17, 2025, at 9:00 AM BST via www.bbc.co.uk/proms or www.royalalberthall.com.
Promming Tickets: USD 10 (£8, including fees) for standing in the Arena or Gallery, available online at 9:30 AM on concert day (or the day before for select events). Maximum two per person.
Seated Tickets: USD 11–135 (£8.50–£105), with premium seats for the Last Night up to USD 1,600 (£1,295).
Season/Weekend Passes: USD 350 (£272) for standing access to most concerts, excluding select events like The Traitors Prom. Available from May 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM BST.
Discounts: 50% off for under-18s (except Last Night) and disabled concert-goers with one companion.
Regional Venues: Tickets for Bristol, Gateshead, Sunderland (USD 10–50), Bradford (USD 15–60), and Belfast (USD 12–45) go on sale April 24–May 16, 2025, via venue websites.

Key Events

First Night (July 18, 2025): Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra with Mendelssohn, Sibelius, and Errollyn Wallen’s world premiere “The Elements.”
The Traitors Prom (July 26, 2025): Claudia Winkleman hosts a gothic-themed concert with music from the BBC series, at 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
Relaxed Prom: The Planets (August 10, 2025): A family-friendly, informal performance of Holst’s suite, designed for accessibility.
CBeebies Prom: A Magical Bedtime Story (August 25, 2025): Midday and afternoon shows for children, featuring beloved CBeebies characters.
Last Night of the Proms (September 13, 2025): Conducted by Elim Chan with Alison Balsom and Louise Alder, featuring Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and “Rule, Britannia!” Entry via ballot, with priority for those attending 5+ Proms.

Cultural Significance

The BBC Proms, rooted in Henry Wood’s vision, democratizes classical music through affordable tickets and diverse programming. Its expansion to regional venues like Bradford (2025 UK City of Culture) and Sunderland reflects a commitment to inclusivity. The festival’s blend of classical, contemporary, and non-classical artists (e.g., St. Vincent, Samara Joy) bridges genres, while its broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, Sounds, and TV ensure global reach. The Proms also champions female talent, with 15 women conductors in 2025, including Elim Chan for the historic all-female Last Night.

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access: Royal Albert Hall offers 12–25 wheelchair spaces per concert, bookable via +44 20 7070 4410 or promsaccessrequest@royalalberthall.com.
BSL-Interpreted and Audio-Described Proms: Seven concerts, including The Traitors and CBeebies Proms, offer BSL and audio description.
Relaxed Performances: Designed for neurodivergent audiences or those preferring informal settings, with chill-out areas.
Assisted Listening: Digital systems with receiver packs at Door 6.
Guides: Braille/large-print Festival Guides (USD 6–12) and audio guides available via BBC Sounds.

Broadcast & Media

Radio: All 86 concerts on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds.
Television: 25 programs on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, and CBeebies, streamed on BBC iPlayer.
International Access: Select performances, like the Last Night, are broadcast globally, with details on www.bbc.co.uk/proms.

Food & Drink

Royal Albert Hall: Multiple bars and restaurants (e.g., Verdi Italian Kitchen, Coda by Éric Chavot) offer pre-concert dining. Picnics are allowed for Prommers, but alcohol may be confiscated.
Regional Venues: Bristol Beacon’s Beacon Hall and Lantern Hall serve local cuisine (USD 10–30). Gateshead’s Glasshouse has cafes with Northeast specialties. Bradford and Belfast venues offer food stalls with regional dishes like Yorkshire pudding or Ulster fry (USD 5–15).

Family-Friendly Features

Recommended for ages 5+, with half-price tickets for ages 7–18 (except Last Night). Family events include the CBeebies Prom and Relaxed Prom, with interactive workshops like the BBC Young Composer Workshop in Bristol. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and are restricted from standing areas for select concerts (e.g., St. Vincent, August 12).

Getting There

Royal Albert Hall:

• By Air: London Heathrow (LHR, 24 km, USD 50–80 taxi, 45 min) or Gatwick (LGW, 45 km, USD 80–120 taxi, 1 hr).
• Public Transport: South Kensington Tube (Piccadilly, Circle, District lines, USD 3–5). Buses 9, 23, 52 (USD 2).
• Parking: Limited spaces at Imperial College (USD 15/day), book via +44 20 7070 4410.
  Bristol Beacon: 250m from Bristol city center bus stops; Trenchard Street car park (USD 2–3/hr).
  Glasshouse Gateshead: Metro to Gateshead (USD 2–4); parking at St Mary’s Square (USD 1–2/hr).
  The Fire Station Sunderland: Sunderland Station (USD 5–10 from Newcastle); parking on High Street West (USD 1/hr).
  St George’s Hall Bradford: Bradford Interchange (USD 5–15 by train); parking at Hall Ings (USD 1–2/hr).
  Ulster Hall, Belfast: Belfast Great Victoria Street Station (USD 3–5); parking at Victoria Square (USD 2/hr).

Nearby Attractions

London: Kensington Gardens (0.5 km from Royal Albert Hall), Natural History Museum (1 km, USD 0–15).
Bristol: Clifton Suspension Bridge (2 km, free), Bristol Museum & Art Gallery (0.5 km, free).
Gateshead: Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art (0.5 km, free), Angel of the North (7 km, free).
Bradford: National Science and Media Museum (0.5 km, free), Salts Mill (5 km, free).
Belfast: Titanic Belfast (2 km, USD 15–25), Ulster Museum (1.5 km, free).