York Proms 2025: Fireworks, Live Music & a Magical Night in the Museum Gardens
If you find yourself wandering through York this July with a glass of something cold in hand and music floating through the trees, chances are you’ve stumbled across one of the city’s best-kept (but fast-growing) summer secrets — the York Proms 2025. Taking over the Museum Gardens on Sunday 27 July, this open-air concert is York at its sun-dappled, bunting-filled, soundtrack-to-your-life best. Picture live orchestras, big West End tunes, opera solos, and a grand fireworks finale — all backdropped by the Minster and wrapped in picnic blankets and Prosecco.
Why York Proms Feels Like York
It’s not just the music or the setting (although let’s be honest — live music in a medieval garden with York Minster peeking through the leaves is tough to beat). It’s also the ripple effect that goes beyond the garden walls — the event brings in over £180,000 to the local economy. That’s meals, hotel stays, last-minute outfit buys, you name it.
Why It Matters (and Why It Sells Out Fast)
This isn’t just a concert, it’s a proper feel-good local tradition. Now in its seventh year, the Proms are about bringing people together — families, friends, visitors — all kicking back on the grass for one night of top-tier live music in a location that makes it all feel a bit magical.
Founder Rebecca Newman says it best:
“During the ten‑day presale, almost 20% of tickets were gone before the general public even got a look.”
If that doesn’t say “York loves this event,” I don’t know what does.
What’s On the Bill?
Date: Sunday, 27 July 2025
Where: York Museum Gardens
What: A full live orchestra playing everything from classical big-hitters to iconic movie soundtracks and musical theatre showstoppers.
Orchestra & Soloists: Conducted by Ben Crick, the York Proms Orchestra delivers popular classical pieces, operatic arias, and familiar film music. This year, star soloists include soprano Jane Burnell and tenor Joshua Baxter, both rising powers from Buxton Opera Festival. According to organiser Rebecca Newman, they haven’t sung together before—but this concert will give them that debut duet moment.
Community Stage: Before the main show, York-based acts like Lucy’s Pop Choir and other local ensembles will warm up the crowd from about 5:45pm.
Finale: As part of the signature “flag‑waving Last Night” tradition, expect familiar big‑air arrangements followed by a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the riverside and the sky above Museum Gardens.
Family-friendly? Totally. Under-5s go free, it’s picnic-perfect, and there’s space to stretch out, dance, or lie back and watch the sky change colour.
How to Get There (and What You’ll Need)
Tickets start at £38 for adults, £11 for kids, and under-5s are free
Grab yours now via yorkproms.com
Transport Tips:
Walk in via Museum Street or Deangate
Loads of buses stop nearby
Park & Ride is your friend — city centre parking is a faff
What to Bring:
Picnic blanket or folding chair
Your finest picnic gear or cash for food and drink stalls
Layers — it’s York, the evening chill is real
A camera (obviously)
If your idea of summer fun includes a trip to the York Proms then get those tickets booked and as always if you are coming to York and you need a place to stay then just visit our website www.houseofyork.org and book:
- one of our homes for up to six people
- two of our homes for up to 12 people
- or all three together for up to 18 people
Rather conveniently, all our houses are next door to each other!
Want to read more for your next visit to York?
Then download a free copy of our book York Local Knowledge Must-do Top Tens & the vouchers to get them for less where you will discover the historic UK city of York like a local with tips, top tens, and guidance on where to find the best discounts and vouchers, so you can experience it all without breaking the bank!
You can download it for free from the Apple iBooks Store here
You can download it for free from the Google Play Books Store here
This isn’t your average guidebook—it’s a laugh-out-loud, down-to-earth companion, packed with top-ten lists covering everything from essential attractions and hidden gems to entertainment, dining spots, walks, tours, festivals, and shopping, all enriched with a local’s insider knowledge.
With insights, amusing anecdotes, and a sprinkling of puns and dad jokes, Alistair’s love letter to York will help you see the city in a whole new way. Grab a copy and start planning the York adventure you didn’t know you were missing!
With over 240 pages, this guide is ideal for families and groups of friends planning a trip to York and includes:
Up-to-date information on everything in the ever-changing city of York—this is the 2025 edition.
Top ten lists of York’s best tourist attractions, entertainment spots, food and drink, walks, tours, festivals, and independent shops.
Beautiful photography accompanying every recommendation.
Answers to visitors’ top questions, from “Where’s the best place for ice cream?” to “Where can I find a great takeaway curry?”
Recommendations on where locals go for up-to-date information about York.
The best places to stay, from five-star hotels to holiday homes and houseboats.
Details on where to find discounts and vouchers for York restaurants, attractions, and experiences.
Want to hear a great podcast about York?
A fab podcast for tourists and locals looking to find out more about York History, must do York Top 10's and money saving tips to do it all for less.
Just search your podcast app for York Must Do Top 10s or click on this link for the show on apple podcast here
Book one of our Holiday Homes for your next trip to York
Are you looking for a great place to stay for your next trip to York. All 3 of our holiday homes are next door to each other which means you can hire them individually for up to 6 people or together for up to 12 (107 & 109 together) or even 18 people (Spencer House & 107 & 109 together).
To check availability and book just visit www.houseofyork.org
We pride ourselves on being couples and family friendly and we try to take any of the stress out of your stay so you can focus on enjoying yourselves and magnificent York.