Battle Proms Picnic Concert 2023 at Blenheim Palace
01 July @ 4.30pm to 10.30pm
About the Battle Proms Picnic Concert at Blenheim Palace
A longstanding highlight of the social calendar, The Battle Proms is a quintessentially British open-air picnic concert: the perfect opportunity to celebrate the summer in style in a stunning setting at Blenheim Palace.
Enjoy an afternoon of breathtaking displays, from daring cavalry skill-at-arms to live cannon fire and freefall parachute displays courtesy of The Red Devils (the British Army and Parachute Regiments official display team).
The Battle Proms Belles bring vintage glamour and sing-a-long harmonies sure to get your toes tapping as they warm up the audience for the evening’s captivating orchestral programme from the New English Concert Orchestra.
The opening pieces of the orchestral programme herald the arrival of the legendary Grace Spitfire, performing a meticulously choreographed aerial display above the iconic Column of Victory.
You’ll be treated to a selection of classical favourites such as the 1812 Overture and the Battle Proms spectacular signature piece, Beethoven’s Battle Symphony, performed as he composed it with 193 live-firing Napoleonic cannons providing a thunderous percussion!
Acclaimed soprano Denise Leigh will lead the crowd in a jubilant flag-waving finale with Jerusalem, Rule, Britannia!, Land of Hope and Glory, and more before the perfect British summer evening closes with magnificent musical firework displays.
Tickets
£21.00 – £455.00
Please see important booking information below.
Ticketing information
Tickets required:
Buy your tickets through The Battle Proms website using the buy tickets button above.
There’s a great group discount, and Blenheim Palace Annual Pass holders can enjoy a further 10% off.
Blenheim Palace Annual Pass discount:
Apply for your exclusive discount code to use at the checkout now.
Location:
North of the Park near the Column of Victory.
Accessibility:
There are no scooters or wheelchairs available to be hired out for this event.
Parking:
There is plenty of free parking provided at the venue. The distance from the car park to the concert entrance varies but is usually between 50 to 350 metres. No overnight parking allowed.
Dogs:
No dogs allowed.
Programme
4.30pm – Gates open
Unpack the picnic, pop the champagne corks and settle in for a fabulous afternoon and evening of spectacular entertainment.
6.15pm – Napoleonic Cavalry Display
Enjoy a thrilling mounted skill-at-arms display by our expert cavalry troop in full historic regalia. The horses and riders join us again later in the programme for the ever-popular ‘Musical Ride’.
6.45pm – The Red Devils
The Red Devils, the world-famous British Army parachute display team, perform their spectacular freefall demonstration in the skies above the concert.
7.00pm – The Battle Proms Belles
Expect a wealth of close harmony vintage favourites from Battle Proms regular Lizzie and her fabulous Belles! This live band is the perfect warm-up for getting the toes tapping and the Champagne corks popping.
8.00pm to 10.30pm – The Musical Programme
The evening continues with an uplifting and inspiring celebration of soul-stirring classical favourites, performed by the New English Concert Orchestra, conducted by Douglas Coombes MBE and hosted by popular BBC presenter Pam Rhodes.
7.55pm – The Evening Gun Salute
A volley of shots from The Battle Proms Cannons and musket fire from the infantry herald the commencement of the musical programme and the arrival of the Spitfire!
8.00pm – Spitfire Air Display
The historic and unmistakable sound of the Spitfire engine rumbles overhead in accompaniment to the concert’s opening piece. This meticulously choreographed aerial display is performed by the legendary Grace Spitfire in the skies around the arena.
10.30pm – Fireworks Finale
The perfect summer evening closes with the traditional flag-waving proms finale, including favourites Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory, culminating in a dazzling firework spectacular!
Over 200 Cannons!
The Battle Proms orchestral performance includes the ground-shaking drama of more than 200 replica Napoleonic cannons set to the music of the era.
The ‘first half’ finale is the rousing 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky, performed in true Battle Proms style with a thunderous percussion of cannon fire, serving as a pyrotechnical warm-up to a signature piece: Beethoven’s ‘Battle Symphony’.
The Battle Proms is proud to still be the only place in the world where you can hear this dramatic piece performed as Beethoven intended, with the full complement of 193 cannons, plus musket fire and fireworks, providing a unique and breathtaking musical spectacle.
