Viking® (www.viking.com) (NYSE: VIK) today announced a new cultural partnership with Battle Proms Concerts. Founded in 1997, the same year that Viking was established, Battle Proms Concerts is the longest running open-air picnic proms series in the UK, attracting around 30,000 visitors per year.
In 2026 the Battle Proms Concerts will take place in the grounds of three prestigious venues in England. The first two events to be supported by Viking will be held at Burghley House in Lincolnshire on 11 July and at Hatfield Park in Hertfordshire on 18 July. Viking will be the headline sponsor of the final event which will take place on 1 August in Hampshire at Highclere Castle, one of its existing cultural partners, which is the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and the iconic filming location of Downton Abbey.
Battle Proms Concerts are known for being the ultimate, quintessentially British ‘parties in the park’. Each event features live orchestral music by the New English Concert Orchestra who perform classics such as Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Beethoven’s ‘Battle Symphony’, alongside star soloists. These performances are complemented by moving Spitfire aerial displays, over 200 live-firing cannons, and parachute jumps by the Red Devils. There is also a range of activities such as swing dancing and vintage living history displays. This year Battle Proms concerts will also welcome back acclaimed soprano and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist, Denise Leigh, to perform pieces from famed operas and lead the ‘last night of the proms’ style sing-along finale, alongside a magnificent fireworks display.
Wendy Atkin-Smith, Managing Director of Viking UK, said: “We are delighted to begin this exciting new partnership with Battle Proms Concerts, and to offer our guests more opportunities to celebrate our shared passion for history and love of music. Through our onboard enrichment programme guests enjoy a variety of destination focused lectures about the local history and musical performances when travelling with us, so we look forward to offering a similar experience closer to home this summer. The venues will all create incredible settings for the concerts and we are of course looking forward to returning to Highclere Castle for another special event that guests, including Viking travellers, can enjoy this August.”
Adam Slough, Battle Proms Concerts Event Director, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Viking as our 2026 cultural partner. With their ongoing support of the arts and dedication to providing culturally inspiring journeys, the Viking brand reflects a passion for music and history shared by the Battle Proms team and our wonderful audience. We very much look forward to entertaining Viking and their guests at our concerts this summer, especially as headline sponsor of our 25th annual concert at Highclere Castle, and showcasing to our audience all the incredible travel opportunities that Viking offer.”
Lady Carnarvon of Highclere Castle said: “I love the Battle Proms concert and haven’t missed one in two decades! The atmosphere is quite unique and the wonderful sound of the orchestra along with the colour and beauty of the fireworks make for a very memorable evening. I am thrilled that Viking will be headline sponsor of the concert at Highclere, as it is a fantastic and much loved family occasion. Highclere Castle have a fantastic relationship with Viking and this event reflects the quality and standards they continue to promote.”
Viking is known for its culturally enriching experiences and support of the arts. Along with other guest lecturers specialising in each destination, a Viking Resident Historian is on board every ocean voyage providing lectures and roundtable discussions on the arts, architecture, music and culture of ports and aspects of world history. Guests can also enjoy a variety of history-themed and musical experiences through Viking’s shore excursion programme whilst immersing themselves in the local culture. On Viking’s Viking Homelands itinerary, guests can tour the remarkable old town of Gdańsk and visit Malbork Castle, the world’s largest brick castle and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guests on Viking’s Danube Waltz itinerary can experience an evening of classical music in Vienna with a Privileged Access® performance led by the renowned Alma Deutscher. In Bergen on Viking’s In Search of the Northern Lights itinerary guests can visit a historic farm to glimpse Norwegian countryside life and hear the work of some of Norway’s best composers including Edvard Grieg, or learn the history, art and music of the region at a home-hosted mini-concert hosted by a professional violinist and a renowned opera singer.
Since 2011 Viking has been connected with Highclere Castle and “Downton Abbey” through the television series and films. In 2025, Viking partnered with Focus Features, Universal Pictures and Carnival Films to celebrate “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale”. Since 2014, Viking has offered guests a variety of ways to experience Privileged Access at Highclere Castle and has supported many events on the 5,000 acre estate. Viking has been headline sponsor of Highclere’s annual history festivals since 2018 and is a sponsor of the annual Highclere Castle Book Readers Awards. Recently Viking also announced its support for the development of a new contemporary events space called ‘The Viking Pavilion at Highclere Castle’ which will provide future visitors—including Viking travellers—an elegant setting for enriching experiences. Viking’s longstanding relationship with the Carnarvon family has also extended to its fleet—The Countess of Carnarvon is the ceremonial godmother of a Viking Longship®, the Viking Skadi and an ocean ship, the Viking Mars®. In 2022, Lord Carnarvon became Viking’s first godfather to the Viking Osiris, and in 2024, their son, Edward Herbert, became the godfather of the Viking Hathor.
Viking’s other cultural partners in the UK include the Royal Academy of Arts, the British Museum, Classic FM, the RHS, Chalke History Festival and Newbury Spring Festival.
Booking Details
To make a booking or for more information call 0800 458 69 00 or go to www.viking.com.
Battle Proms Concerts is offering an advance ticket price of £53.50 per person (gate price £62.50 per person) for an adult ticket if booked before 30 April. More information and tickets can be found here: https://www.battleproms.com/ticket-information/
About Viking:
Viking (NYSE: VIK) is a global leader in experiential travel with a fleet of more than 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans and all seven continents. Designed for curious travellers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. For additional information, contact Viking at 0800 458 6900 or visit www.viking.com.
About Battle Proms concerts:
Famous for their breathtaking mix of uplifting music and dramatic displays, including fireworks, Spitfire, cannons, cavalry and parachutes, the highlight of any Battle Proms concert is a magnificent orchestral programme of iconic pieces from film, TV and the musicals alongside classical favourites you know and love. Taking place in stunning stately home settings, the fun starts from gates open with live jazz, swing dancing, fascinating living history and daring cavalry and parachute displays, plus vintage vocals from The Battle Proms Belles to get the toes tapping and champagne corks popping before the New English Concert Orchestra takes to the stage. A sublime concert experience, Battle Proms concerts feature a moving aerial display from the legendary Grace Spitfire, plus Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Beethoven’s ‘Battle Symphony’ with live cannon fire percussion! These perfect summer evenings close with a jubilant flag-waving, sing-along finale with all the traditional proms favourites under a sky of dazzling fireworks. Dates, venues, full programme details and tickets: www.battleproms.com
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