“I’ve asked for a cloak and an owl,” jokes Claudia Winkleman, conjuring up images of gothic drama and shadowy suspense. But she’s only half kidding.

This year, the BBC Proms dives into deception and drama with The Traitors Prom—a one-night-only concert inspired by the hit reality TV show The Traitors. Held at the Royal Albert Hall, the event will blend classical pieces “with betrayal at their heart” alongside the dark, orchestral reimaginings of pop songs that fans of the show will instantly recognize. It’s a bold, theatrical twist on the world’s most famous classical music festival.

And that’s just the beginning.

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The 2025 BBC Proms season is pulling out all the stops, uniting more than 40 top-tier ensembles from across the UK and beyond. From its traditional roots to bold new experiments, the Proms continues to evolve while remaining grounded in classical excellence.

A Season of Firsts and Premieres

BBC orchestras and choirs remain the festival’s backbone, with nearly 50 appearances throughout the season. The BBC Singers will feature prominently, including performances at both the First and Last Nights. Opening night, conducted by Sakari Oramo, will spotlight tenor Caspar Singh, baritone Gerald Finley, and violinist Lisa Batiashvili, along with the world premiere of The Elements by Errollyn Wallen, the Master of the King’s Music.

The season concludes under the baton of Elim Chan with the Last Night of the Proms, featuring trumpeter Alison Balsom and soprano Louise Alder. Two more world premieres cap the finale: one by Camille Pépin, and another by Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman.

A Nationwide Celebration

For the first time ever, the Proms will land in Bradford—celebrating its year as UK City of Culture—and Sunderland. The festival also returns to Bristol and Gateshead for three-day residencies, while a special Prom in Belfast marks the 100th anniversary of Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast.

Global Stars, Groundbreaking Works

World-renowned orchestras like the Vienna Philharmonic, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra grace the season. Soloists include pianists Yunchan Lim and Sir András Schiff, violinists Hilary Hahn and Janine Jansen, and soprano Golda Schultz.

Nineteen premieres (world, European, or UK) will be heard, with ten works specially commissioned by the BBC, affirming its ongoing support for contemporary composition. Sir Simon Rattle joins the Chineke! Orchestra for the first time during their 10th anniversary season.

One standout is a return to the overnight Prom—last seen in 1983—co-curated by organist Anna Lapwood. This late-night adventure includes pianist and YouTuber Hayato Sumino, cellist Anastasia Kobekina, the Pembroke College Chapel Choir, and the genre-defying Barokksolistene from Norway.

Commemorating Musical Giants

The Proms will honor Shostakovich 50 years after his death, with eight of his works featured—including Symphony No. 5, played entirely from memory by the Aurora Orchestra. Other tributes include works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Luciano Berio, Pierre Boulez, and Arvo Pärt.

Legendary composer Joe Hisaishi also makes his Proms debut, conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in his Hiroshima-inspired symphony The End of the World.

From Opera to Orchestral Crossovers

Opera fans can look forward to rare full performances of Shostakovich’s The Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District in collaboration with the English National Opera, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro from Glyndebourne, and Suor Angelica by Puccini with the LSO under Sir Antonio Pappano.

Large-scale choral works abound, from Vaughan Williams’s Sancta civitas to the 40-part mass by Striggio, performed by Le Concert Spirituel. The Irish Baroque Orchestra and Chorus make their debut with Handel’s Alexander’s Feast.

Something for Everyone

The Proms continues to welcome artists beyond the classical sphere, with appearances from St. Vincent and Samara Joy in new orchestral arrangements. Trevor Nelson returns with The Soul Revolution Prom, and Anoushka Shankar premieres her new album live.

For families, there’s the return of the beloved CBeebies Proms with A Magical Bedtime Story and Wildlife Jamboree in Gateshead.

Broadcast and Accessibility

All Proms will air live on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds, with 25 televised across BBC One, BBC Two, and iPlayer—making sure audiences across the UK can experience the festival. Tickets remain accessible, with Promming standing tickets priced at £8 and half-price entry for under-18s.

From cloak-and-dagger intrigue to symphonic masterpieces, the 2025 Proms season promises something unforgettable for every listener