World-famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to open new bandstand with spectacular Proms and Fireworks event
Entertainment / Mon 16th Mar 2026 at 08:02am
HARLOW’S beloved Town Park bandstand is set to make a triumphant return this summer after being rebuilt into a bigger, more modern and reimagined venue following last September’s devastating fire. It’s reopening will mark a major milestone in restoring one of the town’s most cherished landmarks – soon to be filled once again with music, community spirit and celebration.
Harlow Council has today announced that on Saturday 4 July the newly rebuilt bandstand will host its first major event: a spectacular Last Night of the Proms-style concert performed by the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. The event will mark not only the reopening of the bandstand, but the beginning of a new programme of performances and community celebrations at the iconic venue.
The concert promises an unforgettable evening of music, featuring the famous Proms anthems including Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia. These much-loved classics will be brought to life by the internationally acclaimed orchestra, known for its performances at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, creating a vibrant celebration of British musical tradition as the bandstand begins its exciting new chapter.
Joined by Harlow Chorus, community organisations and support acts performing throughout the afternoon, the celebrations will build towards a spectacular fireworks finale, lighting up Town Park with colour, music and energy.
The event will be completely free, with no tickets required, making it open to families, friends and visitors from across the town. Alongside the music, a range of catering outlets will be available, helping to create a true celebration of the best of British in the heart of Harlow.
Announcing the new bandstand’s opening event, Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said:
“We promised to rebuild the bandstand ready to host major events this summer, and we are delivering on that promise. For decades it brought our community together through free music and celebration, and now it will return bigger and better than ever. Since last year’s devastating fire, we have moved at pace to deliver our eight-step plan, with construction now well under way.
“Bringing the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra to Harlow for the very first event shows the ambition we have for this iconic venue. It will be a spectacular night and the start of an exciting new chapter for the bandstand, with many more fantastic events to come this summer ahead of the Town Show on the August Bank Holiday weekend.
“This is yet more proof that we’re restoring pride in our town, putting it back on the map and Building Harlow’s Future.”
Residents are invited to bring their families, wave their flags, and join the first of many spectacular events that will usher the bandstand into its next chapter.
Harlow MP Chris Vince has added his congratulations.
He said: Congratulations to everyone involved in securing the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra to open the new bandstand.
“I know I have already put the date in my diary as it is looking like an event that nobody will want to miss and an opportunity to bring our community together”.
AB
2026-03-16 08:33:42
Why pander to the flag-sh@ggers with some of these music choices. The wonderful Jerusalem is often chosen because a lot of people do not understand meaning behind the words. Be great to have some Beethoven, and other great composers and proper clasdical music , to balance things out.
Yvonne
2026-03-16 08:46:05
AB, just take hike. If you don't like it, don't show up. You will not be missed. This is fantastic. One of the most memorable music events. Let's sing all the verses of Rule Britannia! Just wonderful. Will be a huge success. Well done Dan Swords and Harlow Council
BC
2026-03-16 09:14:43
AB perhaps you could explain to us heathens the meaning of Jerusalem that upsets you so. Perhaps you could also reflect that seeing this orchestra live would normally cost a heck of a lot so this is a fantastic opportunity for people. Well done our Town Hall staff.
jarrett
2026-03-16 09:55:33
AB, i take it you have not seen the last night of the proms? i would imagine you would have a touch of apoplexy seeing all those flags being waved. Nice work Harlow council.
AB
2026-03-16 10:33:16
Quite the contrary, the flags at the Last Night...are fantastic. Jerusalem is a great poem turned lyrics, its worth studying properly.
Deb
2026-03-16 11:02:39
Good grief, the usual suspects taking cheap uneducated shots at those who are actually proud of our flags. Anyway, moving on to the grownups in the room. This sounds like a lot of fun, after the great success of the Murwalls event at the weekend you can see this is what the town needs. People were happy, engaged and genuinely interested in what was going on. It was wonderful to see. These things will bring people together and improve community engagement, not petty arguments over music choices or flags.
Cheryl
2026-03-16 11:51:00
Did anyone get charged with starting the fire at the Bandstand?so very sad,as the bandstand has been there for so many years and was so iconic.
Chris
2026-03-16 12:14:36
What a fantastic event this will be for Harlow, Classics in the Park. Fantastic idea. Can't wait. Another uptick for Dan. Hopefully it will be a yearly event or a regular yearly programme of classical music as well as rock & pop,blues & folk would be good. A Summer music festival would be amazing for Harlow
John
2026-03-16 12:34:45
Nothing could be better to inaugurate the new bandstand with an iconic and much loved Last Night of the Proms night, a national jewel which is for the enjoyment of all ages with our favourites pieces: Jerusalem, Land of Hope & Glory and Rule Britannia. Dan Swords and his team truly reviving Harlow.
Julia
2026-03-16 12:41:36
What an utterly splendid initiative by Dan Swords. It will be exquisite. Can we perhaps include: Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" and Franz von Suppé's "Light Cavalry Overture"? They are both a delight as I am sure many would agree.
Ntd
2026-03-16 12:48:52
This sounds amazing and I can’t wait for it. I can’t help but feel that given the hostility some of our community, especially those working at the hospital, feel with the flags that are up in town, this could have been approached better by the council. Strange to be doing it on American Independence Day. Do we bring American flags? Hope Trump doesn’t visit.
Resi
2026-03-16 13:10:00
This sounds great!
Deb
2026-03-16 13:18:14
Ntd do you not realise the flags are because people have lost hope and don't feel they have an identity anymore. This initiative will promote community and celebrate British traditions , ie night of the proms and music people recognise and are part of being British. If more of this was done people wouldn't feel the need to take things into their own hands. This is exactly what is needed. Celebrating the town and Country you live in.
Val
2026-03-16 13:23:00
Deb is spot on! 100%. We need to promote our Britishness and culture and nothing is more British than the Last Night of the Proms. Hope it can become an annual event.
Ntd
2026-03-16 14:23:30
I do realise the flags are up because people have lost hope. They have had 14 years of austerity watching the town be run down, their kids unable to move out because it’s too expensive, lives on hold because the jobs have gone. Harlow is not the town I grew up in. It has been gutted and sold off (hello Marks and Spencer’s) and it’s not fair and it’s not right. That is all political choice. It’s not the fault of people coming from other lands. It’s down to the greed in politicians like Johnson, Cameron, May who did this to the country. I completely get what you’re saying about celebrating identity and I feel it too, but I also feel the pain that those who are not from this country feel with those flags up, and I hear and see racism on the rise. Harlow is not about that. It never has been. The flags up on lampposts as they are make me feel shame. I’ll never put one up for the football again now.
Graham
2026-03-16 14:43:23
Ntd sounds like you should give the Proms a miss. Just another moaner. I don't know anybody who is bothered or upset by the flags. Anyway this is nothing to do with that issue. It a wonderful celebration of Britishness and culture and tradition. Something we should all love, respect and enjoy.Remember the beautiful lines of the second verse of "Rule Britannia"..."The nations not so blest as thee Must, in their turn, to tyrants fall, While thou shalt flourish great and free: The dread and envy of them all." Yes all great rousing stuff and great fun.
Grace
2026-03-16 15:01:26
All credit to Dan Swords and Harlow Council he leads. He is seriously improving this town in every aspect. We can't afford to lose him and his team. They are the best thing that has happened to Harlow in decades. Keep up the great work Dan.
ABFAB
2026-03-16 15:15:47
Fantastic, well done Dan and the team. All the other Harlow parties must be suicidal. None of them have any chance of getting in. So Nic Taylor, anything you can think of to run this down.
Ntd
2026-03-16 15:33:12
Graham what a bubble you must live in! You can like being British and think that the flags up are an insult. Two things can be true at the same time. What did you do before tatty flags went up?
Graham
2026-03-16 17:05:24
Ntd, this wonderful event has nothing to do with the flags. It is classical British extravaganza for everybody to enjoy. Stop mixing things up. No one I know even mentions the flags; they are enthused with the Proms.
Micko
2026-03-16 17:43:08
The despoiling of this town's image and intimidatory actions of the far right minority by criminally putting flags all over the town's street furniture should not be allowed to continue. I know plenty of residents of this town who feel it is a disgrace that this council has allowed this to happen. Yes a great event to have organised but we all know the same despoilers will make hay at the event for political purposes. Harlow is better than this. Time to show it Dan.
Eli
2026-03-16 18:18:36
Micko, you have understanding of history and tradition. The Proms concerts have been going strong since Henry Wood conducted the first Proms in 1895. It is fantastic event and has nothing do with a few far right nutters hanging flags on lampposts and far left nutters whinging about it. For the vast silent majority, it is a non-issue. Why would we spend money removing flags when it should be spent on fixing potholes, which is much more important. You are also wrong about the Council, the flags have nothing to do with Harlow Council they are on Essex County Council property. Potholes should take priority. Enjoy the Proms concerts.
Carolyn
2026-03-16 18:26:18
Could the flag moaners like Ntd and Micko go to the YH article on the flags and make their comments there. This post is solely about a fantastic concert, a first for Harlow with a top orchestra. Congratulations to Dan Swords and his team. As others have said, hopefully it can be an annual event like the revived town show and fireworks display.
Mark Gregory
2026-03-17 00:23:43
Wtf, I thought Eddie and the hot rods were headlining, none of the groovy kids in the town will turn up for this. I know for a fact the brotherhood of man are available that night, and possibly Alvin stardust
Iain Lindsay
2026-03-17 06:41:55
Presumably, those in attendance carrying Union and St George flags will be arrested for being members of a proscribed far right organisation and deemed a threat to National Security! Joking aside, this should be celebrated, and a great use of a public venue for the towns residents.
FedUpPensioner(Not So Today)
2026-03-17 09:17:30
Excellent news and what a great way to celebrate the re-opening .I will be there waving my flags and singing along to proms classics...Going to bring my own song sheets just incase. Be nice to see Chris Vince waving a flag or two as well.
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