27/08/2026
FORGET THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL - THE LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS IS COMING TO BLACKPOOL
Union flags at the ready as Blackpool Symphony Orchestra promises a rousing night of music, show tunes and full-throated audience singing at The Grand
There are concerts you sit and listen to - and then there is the Last Night of the Proms.
On Sunday 20 September 2026, Blackpool Grand Theatre will be filled with soaring orchestral music, waving flags and hundreds of voices singing as one when Blackpool Symphony Orchestra returns with its ever-popular Last Night of the Proms spectacular.
From beautiful light classical music and much-loved show tunes to the unmistakable opening notes of Rule, Britannia!, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory, this is an evening built for participation. Audiences are invited to bring their flags, warm up their voices and become part of one of the most joyous and gloriously uplifting nights in Blackpool’s musical calendar.
The Last Night of the Proms has long been about far more than the music on the page. It is the collective excitement of a full theatre, the first sweep of the orchestra, the stirring sound of familiar melodies and that final, roof-raising moment when the entire auditorium joins together.
At Blackpool Grand Theatre, the spectacle takes on an added magic. One of the town’s greatest musical institutions will perform on the stage of one of its most treasured buildings, creating a celebration that belongs wholeheartedly to Blackpool.
Andrew Howard, Head of Audiences, Marketing and Sales at Blackpool Grand Theatre, said: “There is nothing quite like the Last Night of the Proms. It begins as a concert, but somewhere along the way the whole audience becomes part of the performance. Flags start waving, voices grow louder and, by the time the orchestra reaches those magnificent final pieces, the atmosphere inside The Grand is absolutely electric.
“This is Blackpool’s own symphony orchestra performing in Blackpool’s beautiful historic theatre, and that gives the evening a real sense of local pride. These are incredibly talented musicians who come together through a shared love of music, and hearing the full power of that orchestra in our auditorium is always thrilling.
“You certainly do not need to be a classical-music expert to enjoy it. If you love live music, musical theatre, a great melody or simply the feeling of being part of something special, you will feel completely at home. Bring the family, bring your friends, bring a flag - and be ready to sing.”
MORE THAN A CENTURY OF MUSIC IN BLACKPOOL
Founded in 1921, Blackpool Symphony Orchestra has been part of the cultural life of the town for more than a century. Its musicians come from across the North West, united by an ambition to make exciting orchestral music and share it with the widest possible audience.
The orchestra’s repertoire stretches far beyond traditional classical works, embracing opera, film music, musical theatre, contemporary compositions and popular music. That versatility makes its Last Night of the Proms concert such an entertaining occasion, moving between elegant orchestral pieces and familiar theatrical favourites before reaching the great celebratory finale.
Blackpool Symphony Orchestra also plays an important role away from the concert platform. Its community and education work has introduced young people to orchestral music, supported the next generation of musicians and brought live performance into schools, hospitals and unexpected spaces across the town.
That commitment to making music accessible is at the heart of September’s concert. The evening offers all the scale and ceremony associated with the Last Night of the Proms, but without any sense of formality or intimidation. First-time concertgoers can expect a warm, lively atmosphere, while devoted classical-music lovers can enjoy the sound of a full orchestra performing in the intimate splendour of Frank Matcham’s historic auditorium.
For younger audience members, it could be the first time they experience the physical power of live orchestral music - the vibration of the strings, the brilliance of the brass and the moment dozens of individual musicians combine to create one extraordinary sound.
Tickets for under-18s are just £13, while a special Family Ticket for two adults and two under-18s is £67, making the concert an inviting opportunity to introduce a new generation to live music.
The Last Night of the Proms may be famous for tradition, but its appeal is immediate: great music, a magnificent theatre and an audience determined to enjoy every note.
By the end of the evening, the flags will be flying, the orchestra will be at full power and Blackpool Grand Theatre will be singing with one voice.
Blackpool Symphony Orchestra - Last Night of the Proms is at Blackpool Grand Theatre on Sunday 20 September 2026 at 7.30pm.
Full-price tickets are £25.50, under-18s tickets are £13, and a Family Ticket for two adults and two under-18s is available for £67.
Book at blackpoolgrand.co.uk, or call the Blackpool Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190.
