The beloved BBC Proms is set to kick off on Friday, July 18 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The classical music festival, which is held every summer, aims to bring the best in classical music to the “widest possible audience”.
The festival will last until Saturday, September 13, and, as always, be available to listen to and view for those who won’t be attending in person.
This year’s edition will see a Prom built around The Traitors on July 26, as well as a Relaxed Prom inspired by the planets and a Cbeebies Bedtime Story Prom. Other notable acts include Chineke!, the Philharmonic Orchestra, and Samara Joy.
Criticism of this year’s Proms has been rife, with people asking whether TV tie-ins are really necessary, contesting that the UK is not being properly represented, and complaining about too many orchestras from around the world.
Regardless, the Proms still promises to be one of the world’s greatest music festivals celebrating classical music.
Here is everything you need to know about this summer’s BBC Proms.
How to get tickets to the BBC Proms
Tickets for the concert went on sale on May 17.
On X, BBC Proms reported that concert-goers had bought more than 70,000 tickets in the first day alone.
Since the @RoyalAlbertHall Box Office opened at 9am this morning, you’ve already bought over 70,000 tickets!
— BBC Proms (@bbcproms) May 17, 2025
What an incredible start to the #BBCProms 2025 season 🎉
There are still thousands of tickets still available, book at https://t.co/z38Kl33beI pic.twitter.com/VZcC2Pc6sj
Where to watch and listen to the Proms
If you haven’t got your hands on tickets but would still like to be a part of the experience, you can listen to the Proms concert via the radio or watch them on TV.
Every Prom will be broadcasted live on BBC Radio 3 and streamed on Sounds. Plus, a selection of proms will be available to view via the various BBC channels and iPlayer.
Why is it called the Proms?
Proms is a shortened version of Promenade concerts, which refers to listening experiences that are affordable and informal.
Traditionally, promenaders, or Prommers, can stand and listen to the music unlike their counterparts at other classical music events, who are normally in more formal attire, and seated.
It was Robert Newman who came up with the idea to hold the Proms in the UK, to make classical music more accessible. Together with famous conductor Sir Henry Wood, they created the festival.
The very first Proms was held on Saturday, August 10, 1895, and it has become a quintessential cultural experience for Brits ever since.
