Thousands of former students from the University of Bristol will be returning to the city from all corners of the world next month to celebrate the university's centenary – and many of them are expected to meet up at this summer's Prom on The Close.

The Prom, which is sponsored by the Evening Post and our sister paper the Western Daily Press, is being held in the grounds of Clifton College on Saturday, July 4, and an area is being created exclusively for alumni, staff and students to meet up with past friends and family.

Two of the UK's best young classical music talents will be performing at what's being dubbed Bristol's best party of the year, also sponsored by Ashfords Solicitors.

Soprano Natasha Marsh and tenor Nicky Spence will be supported by the Emerald Ensemble and the Clifton College choir and musicians.

There will also be featured appearances by several local choirs, who won places at the Prom in a "last choir standing" competition, and a soul band made up of students and teachers from Clifton College.

Tania Jane Rawlinson, the university's director of campaigns and alumni relations, said people were returning to Bristol from all over the world.

She said: "The Prom on The Close is one of the highlights of the university's centenary weekend, the biggest event for former students we've ever hosted. It will be a chance to renew friendships and rediscover the familiar and new faces of Bristol."

The university has been in touch with 100,000 former students in 170 countries, and a record attendance of more than 2,000 is expected to return for the weekend.

Tickets for Prom on The Close start from £20 and are available from the booking line 0870 7740577. Gates open at 4.30pm, with music from 5.30pm.