Social Season: the must-have dates for your summer diary
The summer social season is upon us…
Main image: Grange Park Opera
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
21-25 May
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 promises amazing garden designs, gorgeous floral displays and exclusive shopping.
Lucy Vail Floristry: Another Blooming Heatwave. Installation. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023. Photo by Sarah Cuttle © RHS
Blenheim Palace Food Festival
25-27 May
Returning for its tenth year, Blenheim Palace Food Festival will be providing a three-day social calendar of artisan food from local and national stallholders. There’ll be homemade treats, craft beers, cocktails, mocktails and so much more.
Epsom Derby
Epsom Downs Racecourse, 31 May – 1 June
A staple of every social season, the Derby is the perfect chance to dress up and watch the races. Featuring Cedric’s – a new enclosure for 2024 – and a variety of after-racing parties, including a DJ set from Vernon Kay.
More fab things to do:
Grange Park Opera
Surrey, 6 June – 14 July
The 2024 season for Grange Park Opera looks set to be a fabulous one – a sociable summer of comedies, romances and stories of passion, betrayal and mystery.
Chestertons Polo in the Park
Hurlingham Park, 7-9 June
With pitch-side bars and gardens, pop-ups and a new VIP area with a private bar, this year’s Polo in the Park won’t be one to miss. You can watch England battle it out against USA in an international fixture for the coveted Olympic Trophy.
Royal Ascot
8-22 June
There is arguably no event in the social season quite as renowned as Royal Ascot. Witness the best in racing compete against the best, alongside a backdrop of expert hospitality and elegant style.
Wimbledon Tennis
1-14 July
The oldest tennis tournament in the world will be back this July – so pack up your picnics and strawberries and don your whites, because it’s one of the most-loved social dates of the season.
RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
2-7 July
Summer essential RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival returns this July with glorious gardens, fabulous florals, interesting horticultural talks, and a host of family fun.
© RHS / Oliver Dixon
Henley Royal Regatta
2-7 July
One of the most famous rowing events of the summer, the Regatta is set to be an unmissable day of racing and fun on the River Thames.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
11-14 July
Held in the beautiful parkland surrounding Goodwood House, the Festival of Speed is motorsport’s ultimate summer garden party, a sporting celebration and the final event of the summer social season.
