Michael Palin and Evelyn Glennie headline Hampstead proms

The Proms at St Jude’s is a world class feast of music, book talks and comedy taking place across nine days in June.

Concerts in St Jude’s Church in Hampstead Garden Suburb include percussionist Glennie performing with the Fantasia Orchestra, young performers playing Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, a brass band ensemble, a night of Italian opera arias, and vocal group The Swingles.

Proms chair Kate Webster with local MP Sarah Sackman at the launch of The Proms at St Jude’s 2025 at Henrietta Barnett School. (Image: Michael Elefthiarides) The one-day lit-fest at Henrietta Barnett School features authors discussing their latest books, including Gospel Oak resident Michael Palin on his diaries, novelist Tracey Chevalier on The Glassmaker, radio presenter Petroc Trelawney on Cornwall and Hampstead-based human rights barrister Phillipe Sands on Chilean dictator Pinochet.

Meanwhile Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund share The inside story of Labour Under Keir Starmer as told in their book Get In.

Performers Maryna Vosmirova and Isabella Hulbert at The Proms at St Jude’s launch. (Image: Michael Elefthiarides) There are also guided heritage walks, schools concerts, stand up comedy and a family day with workshops and music at the proms, which has been running since 1993.

Speaking after the launch event, Kate Webster, Chair of Proms at St Jude’s, said: “2024 was a super season, a fantastic mix of musical performances and Lit Fest speakers, together with a wide range of other events and almost unbroken sunshine, resulted in a record donation of £75,000 to our two beneficiary charities, Toynbee Hall and the North London Hospice.

“Excitement was high at our 2025 launch and we have put together another enticing programme with something for everyone, be they classical purists or those looking for a nostalgic evening revisiting the classic Fleetwood Mac Rumours album.

“For the less musically-inclined, we have a great LitFest line up and our Family Festival will be bigger and more varied as it grows and develops.”

“We are also delighted that our Arts for Impact- Big Give appeal has met its matched funding, enabling us to build our music outreach in schools and provision for children and families.”

New for this year is a Classical Pride prom celebrating LGBT composers Shaw, Vaughan Williams, Barber and Tchaikovsky. 

The Fibonacci string quartet, sea shanties from the Old Time Sailors, and a celebration of writer Laurie Lee in words and music with the actor Anton Lesser are also highlights.

Meanwhile a night of comedy in the marquee outside St Jude’s features Matt Green as MC with Stephen Carlin and Alice Frick.

The festival runs from June 21-29 in Henrietta Barnett and St Jude’s and tickets go on sale from April 14 at www.promsatstjudes.org.uk