There is a huge history to the Proms that I won't go into here (google it) suffice to say that over 100 years ago a man named Robert Newman decided that 'the people' needed access to classical music ( although back then it might not have been called classical).
Forward to now and its just an awesome series of concerts that take place over a two and a half month period.
The best things:
1) tickets for 'promming' which means standing or watching from the atrium only cost £5!!!!!
2) if you sit up in the atrium you can take wine and a picnic blanket.
3) for the first couple of months of the Proms you really don't have to queue - you can get there like 10 minutes before the show starts.
4) If its a warm summer you can pay the £7 for a bad seat - however when you get to the seat you realize that most of the place is empty so you just scurry on over to the expensive seats and no one minds.