Music from the James Bond films and a night of prog rock classics will pepper this year’s BBC Proms, alongside the usual programme of orchestras, operas and soloists. The eight-week season will feature 86 concerts across London, Gateshead, Bristol, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Mold.
Highlights include a celebration of Miles Davis’s centenary , reflections on Benjamin Britten (marking the 50th anniversary of his death), a tribute to Disney composer Alan Menken , and a journey into space with the team behind the TV show Horrible Histories.
The season begins on July 17, 2026.
Opening Night – Korean Piano Sensation
The opening night concert will see Korean piano sensation Yunchan Lim playing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major, and star tenor Thomas Atkins transporting the audience to France via George Gershwin’s An American in Paris.
| Performer | Piece |
|---|---|
| Yunchan Lim (piano) | Ravel – Piano Concerto in G Major |
| Thomas Atkins (tenor) | Gershwin – An American in Paris |
Prog Rock Prom – ‘Great Music Released from Arid Strictures’
As with the wildly successful Northern Soul Prom in 2023, this year’s exploration of prog rock will be curated by BBC 6 Music DJ and former NME writer, Stuart Maconie.
In an essay for this year’s Proms programme, he admitted that some of the genre’s “excesses and follies can seem silly” to a modern eye, while insisting the genre shouldn’t be written off.
“Prog is simply great music released from the arid strictures of cool and from the sneers of gatekeepers.”
Taking place on July 18 , the Prog Prom will include new orchestral arrangements of hits by:
| Band | Known For |
|---|---|
| Genesis | “Selling England by the Pound,” “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” |
| Emerson, Lake & Palmer | “Lucky Man,” “Fanfare for the Common Man” |
| Jethro Tull | “Aqualung,” cross-flute rock |
Bond and Beyond Prom – Nick Mohammed Hosts
Nick Mohammed – known for his roles in Ted Lasso (as Nate) and the Traitors franchise – will host the Bond and Beyond Prom on August 25.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host | Nick Mohammed |
| Date | August 25, 2026 |
| Music | Greatest hits from Skyfall, The Spy Who Loved Me, and others |
The concert will feature iconic James Bond theme music, celebrating one of cinema’s most enduring franchises.
American Music – 250th Anniversary of US Declaration of Independence
A season of American music will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence , including an American Classics Prom with music by:
| Composer | Notable Works |
|---|---|
| Leonard Bernstein | West Side Story, Candide |
| George Gershwin | Rhapsody in Blue, Porgy and Bess |
| Aaron Copland | Appalachian Spring, Fanfare for the Common Man |
Californian soprano Angel Blue will join the Chineke! Orchestra for a prom that includes music by Charleston-born composer Edmund Thornton Jenkins , one of the first people to introduce elements of jazz and spirituals into the classical repertoire.
Geopolitical Context
Speaking to Radio Times, Proms director Sam Jackson said the concerts were planned two years ago, before the US presidential election:
“What we didn’t know then was the way in which world events – particularly those relating to the USA – would take an, at times, unprecedented course.”
However, he added:
“I believe strongly that the potency and power of classical music, and the stories of those who compose it, should be shared with a broad audience. What’s more, we must not allow our current geopolitical climate to stifle culture, or to dissuade us from championing music of both the past and the present. Great art can’t be cancelled.”
Other Highlights
World Premiere
A new concerto by Gwilym Simcock , written especially for Sheku Kanneh-Mason , Jess Gillam , and Ben Goldscheider – 10 years after they were discovered through the BBC Young Musician competition.
Debuts
| Debut | Detail |
|---|---|
| Met Orchestra, New York | First Proms appearance; two concerts dedicated to Mahler and Strauss |
| Paraorchestra | “Immersive take” on Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians (50th anniversary) at Bristol’s Beacon Hall |
| Altın Gün | Turkish psych-folk band; Royal Albert Hall debut |
Other Notable Performances
| Performer/Group | Details |
|---|---|
| Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Lead celebration of Paul Simon’s Graceland (40th anniversary) |
| Marvin Gaye | Legacy celebration |
| Nadine Shah | Performance in Gateshead |
| Felix Klieser | Plays Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3 using his feet (born without arms) |
| Alessandro Vazzana | Disabled musician who uses eye movements to play software-based instrument called the Clarion |
Accessibility and Disability Representation
Eight years after the BSO Resound became the first disabled-led ensemble to perform at the Proms, the Proms continue to prioritize accessibility and representation:
| Performer | Disability/Innovation |
|---|---|
| Felix Klieser | Born without arms; plays horn with feet |
| Alessandro Vazzana | Uses eye movements to play Clarion instrument |
| Paraorchestra | Disabled-led ensemble performing Steve Reich |
Broadcast and Ticket Information
Every concert will be broadcast on Radio 3 and BBC Sounds , with 24 Proms programmes on BBC television and iPlayer.
| Ticket Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total tickets available | More than 300,000 |
| Tickets for £8 | Almost a quarter (approx. 75,000) |
| Season length | 8 weeks |
| Start date | July 17, 2026 |
| End date | September 12, 2026 |
Last Night of the Proms – September 12
The season will conclude on September 12 with the traditional pageantry of the Last Night of the Proms.
| Performer | Role |
|---|---|
| Sakari Oramo | Finnish conductor (7th time overseeing Last Night) |
| Nicky Spence | Tenor |
| Yuja Wang | Pianist (Proms debut of Samuel Barber’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Piano Concerto) |
Traditional Program
The Last Night will conclude with the traditional medley of:
- Sea shanties
- Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (“Land of Hope and Glory”)
- Auld Lang Syne
Potential Surprise
Last year’s concert saw the orchestral debut of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody – including a special appearance by two of the band’s surviving members, Brian May and Roger Taylor. The line-up for this year’s send-off has not been completely finalized, leaving the door open for a similarly spectacular finale.
Historical Context
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 131st year of the Proms festival |
| 2026 | 99 years since BBC started organizing and broadcasting the Proms |
| 2026 | 50th anniversary of Benjamin Britten’s death |
| 2026 | 50th anniversary of Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians |
| 2026 | 40th anniversary of Paul Simon’s Graceland |
Something for Everyone
The 2026 BBC Proms lineup offers an extraordinarily diverse musical feast. From James Bond themes and prog rock to Miles Davis and Mozart played with feet, the season balances tradition with innovation.
As Proms director Sam Jackson said: “Great art can’t be cancelled.”
With more than 300,000 tickets available – nearly a quarter at £8 – the Proms remain committed to accessibility. The season begins July 17 and runs through September 12, with broadcasts on Radio 3, BBC Sounds, BBC television, and iPlayer.
Whether you are a classical purist, a prog rock enthusiast, or a Bond fan, there is something for you at the 2026 Proms.
