Your 2025 Guide To The British Social Season Is Here

Wondering where to see and be seen this year? Check out our full guide to the 2025 British social season calendar.

The British Social Season 2025

Cheltenham Festival

Dates: Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 March 2025

The most anticipated event in the jump racing calendar, Cheltenham Festival is where legends are made. Held over four days every March, it’s home to the Gold Cup (sponsored by Boodles), a fiercely fought, 22-fence race whose winners become household names.

Details: Cheltenham Festival is at Cheltenham Racecourse (Evesham Rd, Cheltenham GL50 4SH). Find out more and book at thejockeyclub.co.uk

Royal Windsor Horse Show

Dates: Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 March 2025

From dressage to show jumping to the Pony Club mounted games, the Royal Windsor Horse Show is every hippophile’s dream long weekend.

Details: Royal Windsor Horse Show is at Windsor Castle (Royal Mews, Windsor SL4 1NG). Find out more and book at rwhs.co.uk

Glyndebourne Festival

Dates: 16 May to 24 August 2025

An unmissable summer programme of opera, which takes place in the gardens of quintessential English country house Glyndebourne, in East Sussex. Don’t forget your picnic.

Details: The summer programme runs from 16 May to 24 August 2025 at Glyndebourne (New Rd, Lewes BN8 5UU). Find out more and book at glyndebourne.com

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Dates: Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 May 2025

The annual Chelsea Flower Show is simply a must-visit – whether you’re green-fingered or not. Cutting-edge garden design, fabulous floral displays and the latest horticultural research will all be on display.

Details: RHS Chelsea Flower Show is at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Find out more and book at rhs.org.uk

Hay Festival

Dates: 22 May to 1 June 2025

Every year, authors and readers descend on the tiny Welsh village of Hay-on-Wye for the annual literature festival. Visitors can expect a packed programme of talks, readings and workshops from the literary world’s biggest names.

Details: Hay Festival is in Hay-on-Wye. Find out more and book at hayfestival.com

Find more lovely literature festivals for 2025 here

The Derby Festival

Dates: Friday 6 and Saturday 7 June 2025

Known as ‘the greatest flat race in the world’, the Derby has been held in Epsom, Surrey since 4 May 1780. Dressing up is encouraged, with some enclosures requiring full morning dress.

Details: The Derby Festival takes place at Epsom Downs Racecourse (Downs, Epsom KT18 5LQ). Find out more and book at thejockeyclub.co.uk

Isle of Man TT

Dates: 31 May to 7 June 2025

The Isle of Man TT is an unmissable festival of speed. For over 100 years, it has attracted the world’s greatest – and most daring – road racers to test themselves against the island’s infamous ‘Mountain Course’ – a challenging 37.73 mile track carved out of the island’s public roads. The two-week schedule begins with qualifying sessions, ahead of a final week of racing.

Details: The TT Races kick off with qualifying on Monday 26 May, before the races commence on Saturday 31 May and run until Saturday 7 June 2025. Find out more at iomtt.com

Chestertons Polo In The Park

Dates: Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June 2025

Head to Hurlingham Park in Fulham for three days of polo fun, with a faced-paced format that makes it exciting for fans old and new. And it’s not just sport to look forward to: there’s also fabulous shopping, delicious street food stands, and the buzzing Mahiki tent with live DJs. Not to be missed.

Details: Chestertons Polo in the Park returns to Hurlingham Park (Broomhouse Ln, London SW6 3DP). Find out more and book at polointheparklondon.com

Cartier Queen’s Cup

Dates: 20 May to 15 June 2025

Three weeks of prime polo action, all in the rarefied surrounds of Guards Polo Club in Windsor. The final day is open to non-members, with dress codes ranging from smart casual to formal, depending on the enclosure.

Details: Cartier Queen’s Cup runs from 20 May to 15 June 2025 at Guards Polo Club, though only the semi-finals (11 June) and finals (15 June) are open to non-members. Tickets can be booked here. Find out more at guardspoloclub.com

Trooping The Colour

Dates: 15 June 2025

The Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British sovereign for over 260 years. Over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together for a display at Horse Guard’s Parade.

Details: Trooping the Colour takes place every year on 15 June, starting around 10.20am on Horse Guard’s Parade. Members of the public are invited to watch along The Mall or from St James’s Park from 9am. You can also enter a ballot for £30 seated tickets in the grandstand. Find out more here.

Royal Ascot

Dates: Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 June 2025

The world’s premier flat racing meeting, when horses, trainers and jockeys from all over the world compete for more than £6m in prize money. A key date on the social calendar, it’s also a chance to dress up and show off your best hat.

Details: Royal Ascot returns to Ascot Racecourse (High St, Ascot SL5 7JX). Find out more and book at ascot.com

The Boodles Tennis

Dates: 24 to 28 June 2025

An international five-day tennis exhibition held at Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire, featuring some of the sport’s biggest names, plus up and coming stars.

Details: The Boodles Tennis takes place at Stoke Park (Park Rd, Stoke Poges SL2 4PG). theboodles.com

The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic

Dates: 24 to 28 June 2025

Spy the world’s greatest tennis players in action at The Hurlingham Club this summer. One of the more exclusive events on the social season, 2025 sees the Tennis Classic’s first partnership with a Michelin starred chef, Paul Ainsworth.

Details: The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic runs from 24 to 28 June 2025 at The Hurlingham Club. Find out more and book at giorgioarmanitennisclassic.com

Wimbledon Tennis Championships

Dates: 30 June to 13 July 2025

Tennis whites, ball boys, strawberries and cream… You know the drill. Wimbledon is as quintessentially British as it gets, and is a real highlight of the social calendar.

Details: The Championships run from 30 June to 13 July 2025 at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (Church Rd, London SW19 5AG). Here’s how to get tickets. Find out more at wimbledon.com

Henley Royal Regatta

Dates: 1 to 6 July 2025

Attracting thousands of spectators to one short stretch of idyllic Henley-on-Thames, Henley Regatta is five days of high-octane excitement in the social season, as rowers – from Olympic standard to school teams – compete in over 300 races.

Details: Henley Royal Regatta runs from Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 July 2025, with tickets on sale from 16 April. Find out more and book at hrr.co.uk

British Grand Prix

Dates: 3 to 6 July 2025

Silverstone is Britain’s only Grand Prix date; watch the fastest cars in the world take on its 52 laps. Read our guide to Silverstone here.

Details: This year, the British Grand Prix is set for 3 to 6 July, with the world’s best F1 drivers descending on Silverstone (Towcester NN12 8TN). Find out more and book at silverstone.co.uk

Goodwood Festival Of Speed

Dates: 10 to 13 July 2025

A summer garden party – with added cars. Held in the beautiful parkland surrounding Goodwood House, the festival features F1 superstars, classic cars and motorsport legends, all in one place.

Details: Goodwood Festival of Speed returns from 10 to 13 July 2025 at Goodwood (Chichester PO18 0PH). Find out more and book at goodwood.com

Cowdray Park Gold Cup

Dates: 12 to 16 July 2025

The Gold Cup is the culmination of the British Open Polo Championship, the tournament that’s held on Cowdray Park’s famous lawns every summer.

Details: The Cowdray Gold Cup quarter finals are on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July, followed by the semi finals on Wednesday 16 July and the final on Sunday 20 July, all at Cowdray Park Polo Club (Easebourne, Midhurst GU29 0AQ). Find out more and book at cowdraypolo.co.uk

BBC Proms

Dates: 18 July to 13 September 2025

The BBC’s eight-week musical extravaganza, held at the Royal Albert Hall, runs all summer long, and is always closed by the Last Night at the Proms, marked by rousing renditions of Land Of Hope And Glory and Rule Britannia! There’s nothing like being there in person.

Details: The Proms return to the Royal Albert Hall from 18 July to 13 September 2025. The full programme will be announced on 24 April 2025. Stay up to date at royalalberthall.com and bbc.co.uk

The Game Fair

Dates: 25 to 27 July 2025

This annual celebration of country pursuits is always a popular highlight in the social season. Think hunting, fishing and shooting aplenty, but also live cookery demonstrations, an open air cinema and a thriving arts and antiques pavilion.

Details: The Game Fair runs from 25 to 27 July 2025 at Ragley Hall (Alcester B49 5NJ). Find out more and book at thegamefair.org

Cowes Week

Dates: 2 to 8 August 2025

Head to the Isle of Wight for a week-long celebration of sailing, at one of the oldest regattas in the world.

Details: Find out more at cowesweek.co.uk

Qatar Goodwood Festival

Dates: 29 July to 2 August 2025

Otherwise known as Glorious Goodwood, there are 14 races to enjoy across five days, plus prime eating and drinking opportunities. The summer social season in full swing; pretty dresses for women, and linen suits and panama hats for men are the order of the day.

Details: Qatar Goodwood Festival runs 29 July to 2 August 2025 at Goodwood Racecourse (Selhurstpark Rd, Chichester PO18 0PS). Find out more and book at goodwood.com

Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance

Dates: 27 to 31 August 2025

At the end of the summer, Blenheim Palace welcomes more than 100 of the rarest and most desirable cars and motorcycles to its lawns, as well as debuts from the world’s most luxurious marques. Champagne and shopping is also be on the cards, with brands like Boodles, Roche Bobois and Piston Gin in attendance.

Details: Salon Privé takes place at Blenheim Palace (Woodstock OX20 1PS). Find out more and book at salonpriveconcours.com

Goodwood Revival

Dates: 12 to 14 September 2025

Step back in time at Goodwood Revival, the world’s only sporting event that celebrates historical cars. It brings to life the years from 1948 to ’66 when the Goodwood Motor Circuit was first in use, so expect an unbeatable variety of classic cars, plus glamorous outfits galore.

Details: Goodwood Revival returns to Goodwood (Chichester PO18 0PH) from 12 to 14 September 2025. Find out more and book at goodwood.com

Frieze London

Dates: 15 to 19 October 2025

This annual art fair presents the best of international contemporary art by emerging and established artists, alongside a programme of newly commissioned artworks, films and talks. Stretch the social season out as long as possible by wrapping things up at Frieze before party season gets going.

Details: Frieze London runs from 15 to 19 October 2025 in Regent’s Park. Tickets will be available to book closer to the time at frieze.com

Find more art fairs to visit in 2025 here.

Featured image: Favourbrook, an Official Licensee of Royal Ascot.