Social season (United Kingdom) facts for kids
The social season is a special time of year, usually in spring and summer. During this time, important families in Britain traditionally hold fancy parties, dinners, and events to help good causes. In the past, before the First World War, these families would move from their country homes to London just to attend these events.
Today, "the Season" includes many famous events that happen during spring and summer. It starts in March with the Cheltenham Festival, a big horse racing event. Other popular events include the Grand National horse race in April and The Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge universities. In May, there's the Badminton Horse Trials and the beautiful Chelsea Flower Show. June brings the Epsom Derby horse race and Royal Ascot, another famous horse racing event. Later in July, you can find Test matches at Lord's (cricket), Wimbledon (tennis), and the Henley Royal Regatta (rowing). The Edinburgh International Festival takes place in August, and the Season often ends with the Goodwood Revival in September.
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London's Social Season
The London social season began to grow in the 1600s and 1700s. It was most popular in the 1800s. Back then, the most important families in Britain were the nobility and landed gentry. These were rich families with old titles and lots of land. They usually lived in their large country houses. But for several months each year, they would come to London. They came to socialize and to be involved in politics.
The most exclusive parties were held in the large city homes of the richest families. Other public places like Almack's also played a role. The Season happened at the same time as Parliament (where laws are made) was meeting. It started after Christmas and lasted until late June.
Young People and Society
The social season was important for politics. Most members of Parliament also took part in the Season. But it was also a chance for young people of marriageable age to be introduced to society. Young women, called Debutantes, were formally presented to the King or Queen at royal court. This happened at special events like the Court Drawing Rooms and Queen Charlotte's Ball.
However, Queen Elizabeth II stopped this tradition in 1958. Queen Charlotte's Ball also stopped in 1976. It has since started again, but without the King or Queen. Now, debutantes simply curtsy to a special "Queen Charlotte's Birthday Cake."
Changes Over Time
The traditional Season became less popular after the First World War. Many rich families could no longer afford their big London homes. More events then started to happen in public places. This made it harder for events to be only for a very small, exclusive group.
Many events that are now part of the social season are not actually in central London. These include Royal Ascot and the Henley Royal Regatta. Today, big companies often host or sponsor these events. Special Western dress codes are still important for some events. This is especially true for events where the King has an official role.
According to Debrett's, a guide to important families, the traditional social season runs from April to August.
Fun Events of the Season
Many different kinds of events make up the social season.
Arts and Culture
- Glyndebourne Opera Festival: Enjoy beautiful opera music.
- The Proms: A famous series of classical music concerts.
- Royal Academy Summer Exhibition: See amazing art from different artists.
- West End theatre: Watch popular plays and musicals in London.
Gardening and Flowers
- Chelsea Flower Show: A world-famous show displaying incredible garden designs and flowers.
Horse Events
- Royal Ascot: A very famous horse racing event with strict dress codes.
- Cheltenham Gold Cup: Another major horse race.
- Badminton Horse Trials: A competition combining horse riding, jumping, and cross-country.
- Grand National: One of the most famous and challenging horse races.
- Royal Windsor Horse Show: A show featuring various horse riding and driving events.
- Epsom Derby: A classic flat horse race.
- Glorious Goodwood: A popular horse racing festival.
- Cartier Queen's Cup: A prestigious polo tournament.
Royal Events
- Trooping the Colour: A big parade to celebrate the King's official birthday.
- Garter Service of the Order of the Garter: A special ceremony for a very old order of knights.
- Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: A spectacular show of military bands and performers in Scotland.
Sports
- Boat Race: The famous rowing race between Oxford and Cambridge universities.
- Henley Royal Regatta: A top rowing event on the River Thames.
- Guards Polo Club: Watch exciting polo matches.
- The Championships, Wimbledon: The world-famous tennis tournament.
- Cowes Week: A large sailing regatta on the Isle of Wight.
- Lord's Test cricket match: Watch a long form of cricket at a historic stadium.
Even though some of these events are not in London, like the Hurlingham Polo Association at Guards Polo Club, organizers try to avoid scheduling conflicts. This means you can usually attend all of them in the same year if you want to!
The traditional end of the London Season is August 12th, known as the Glorious Twelfth. This day marks the start of the shooting season for birds. After this, society would go back to the countryside. They would shoot birds in the autumn and hunt foxes in the winter. Then, they would return to London in the spring.
Dress Codes
Many events during the Season have special rules about what to wear. These are called Western dress codes.
Royal Ascot
- At Royal Ascot, hats are a must in most areas. To get into the Royal Enclosure for the first time, you need to be a guest of a member. Or, two members who have attended for at least six years must sponsor you. This helps keep the Royal Enclosure very exclusive.
- Gentlemen must wear black or grey morning dress with a waistcoat and a top hat. They should take off their top hat inside restaurants, private boxes, or private clubs. Hats can also be removed in enclosed outdoor seating areas in the Royal Enclosure Garden.
- Ladies must not show their midriffs or shoulders. They must also wear hats.
- In the Queen Anne Enclosure, gentlemen need to wear lounge suits with ties. Ladies must wear a hat.
Henley Royal Regatta
- At the Henley Royal Regatta, in the Stewards' Enclosure, gentlemen must wear a lounge jacket and tie. Wearing rowing club colors on a blazer or cap is encouraged, as is wearing boaters (straw hats).
- A lady's skirt must reach below the knee. Stewards' Officers check this before entry.
- Both ladies and gentlemen will be turned away if they do not follow the dress code. This is true no matter how famous they are.
- Hats are encouraged for ladies but not required.
- One time, a student was not allowed in because of her dress. She said she wore it at Ascot, and no one complained. A spokesperson explained that the dress code helps keep the feeling of an "English Garden party of the Edwardian period" by asking for more traditional clothes.
- Members must always show their special enamel badges. If someone is caught using a mobile phone, they are asked to leave right away. The member who invited them might even lose their membership.
Polo Matches
- At polo matches, gentlemen usually wear a blazer and always white trousers.
- Ladies should wear flat shoes. This is because of the tradition of "treading in the divots." This means pressing the clumps of grass kicked up by the horses back into place. Heels would make this difficult!
- The famous Club House at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park is only for club members. Members wear special gold and enamel badges. Guests of members get special gold-embossed tags.
