Last Night of the Proms at Hyde Park: Proms in the Park Explained
For more than two decades, BBC Proms in the Park in Hyde Park was the outdoor partner to the Last Night of the Proms. On the same Saturday evening in September, tens of thousands gathered in the park with picnics and flags, joined to the Royal Albert Hall by live video links for the final anthems. Many people still search for it every year, so this guide explains what happened to it and how to enjoy the Last Night today.
What Happened to Proms in the Park, Hyde Park?
Proms in the Park began in Hyde Park in 1996, when around 28,000 people attended. The last full Hyde Park concert took place in 2019. The 2020 and 2021 events were cancelled because of the pandemic, and the planned 2022 concert was cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The BBC Last Night of the Proms no longer takes place in Hyde Park, and there is no indication that it will return. The BBC now focuses on broadcasting the Last Night live from the Royal Albert Hall, which is the only place to experience the concert in person.
How the Last Night of the Proms Is Celebrated Today
The main event is the concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on the second Saturday in September. The first half is a full orchestral programme with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Chorus. The second half brings the traditions the park audiences loved: Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Rule, Britannia!, Land of Hope and Glory, Jerusalem, the National Anthem and Auld Lang Syne.
Watching the Last Night of the Proms
The concert is broadcast live on BBC television and BBC Radio 3, so you can host your own Proms night at home or in the garden, flags and all. Independent Proms-style concerts are held in parks and stately homes across the UK through the summer; these are separate events and not the BBC Last Night.
Being Inside the Royal Albert Hall
If you want to be in the Hall itself, seats are limited to around 5,000 and most general seats go by public ballot. Members’ Stalls seats and private boxes are the way to book a confirmed place. See our Last Night of the Proms tickets page for dates, seating and how to book.
What to Bring to a Proms Night
- Flags, hats or a small banner for the second half
- A light jacket, as September evenings turn cool
- For the Royal Albert Hall: your e-ticket on your phone, a small bag only, and time to arrive early