The city of London is a global force of art, culture, sport, and entertainment that many of the greatest events in the world are fortunate enough to call home. The social calendar provided by the capital is vibrant, eclectic, diverse, and full of luxury engagements that mean tickets often quickly become rare and difficult to obtain. Particularly through the summer months, there is always something on the horizon that London’s socialites, influencers, celebrities, and even royalty will be looking forward to being a part of.
For many of these luxury events, the whole world wants to join them too, with exclusive parties, intimate experiences, and access to areas that most of the public can’t reach, proving to be the most sought after. Let’s take a look at some of the very best luxury events in London for the coming weeks and months.
Henley Royal Regatta 2024
There is something classically and quintessentially London about the annual Henley Regatta. This is a festival of the sport of rowing along the River Thames in the beautiful town of Henley-on-Thames that has been attracting the high society of the city for over 200 years. It gained royal patronage in 1851 when Prince Albert made himself an advocate of this landmark event in the summer calendar. Thousands now flock here each year as spectators, always being sure to adhere to the dress codes that call back to a more formal age with men in dress suits and women asked to wear skirts of a modest length. The exclusive Steward’s Enclosure which promises a private garden that oversees the finish line, is where you are likely to find royalty and celebrities rubbing shoulders over a glass of champagne as they roar on the rowers towards glory. This year the regatta runs from the 2nd to the 7th of July and tickets are only available to official members for sale.
Wimbledon Championships
The All England Lawn Tennis Club in SW19 is home to the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. This annual feast of racquets and rallies makes up part of the illustrious Grand Slam series for the sport alongside the US, French, and Australian Open. However, Wimbledon has long been amongst the hottest summer tickets in town for socialites across London for many years. It is a celebration of heritage and tradition with the small details still being respected amongst the competitors and spectators alike, all players must wear white attire, and formal dress is required in many of the seats, particularly those that surround the Royal Box. Despite London’s famously unpredictable weather, demand for attendance is so high that the public ballot tickets and general sale days see crowds snaking around the arenas and up onto Murray Mound and Henman Hill. The strawberries and cream will be served up this year for a fortnight from the 1st to the 14th of July.
Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition represents the oldest open submission exhibition in the world, and it has been offering unmatched opportunities for artists and academics since 1769. Its aim was always to provide a connection for the public to engage, appreciate, and experience wonderful works of art in a formal and engaging setting that would encourage London to view its own cultural output with more significance and understanding. The list of previous exhibitors at the Summer Exhibition reads like a who’s who of famous artists through the years with luminaries such as Wolfgang Tillmans, David Hockney, and Tracey Emin amongst them. Visitors here are encouraged to indulge in the workshops, talks, and tours against the amazing backdrops of submitted and displayed works. This event guarantees that London’s place on the global art scene not only survives, but it endures and aims to captivate the people of the capital long into the future. This year it runs from the 18th of June until the 18th of August at Burlington House on Piccadilly, the home of the Royal Academy.
Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
The Royal Horticultural Society chose the grounds of Hampton Court Palace in Richmond-upon-Thames as the destination for one of their premier events for several obvious reasons. This is a place that exudes heritage, history, and charm, built in the 16th Century for Cardinal Wolsey and eventually becoming the favourite residence of the inimitable King Henry VIII. This year, the festival promises amazing garden designs, innovative and gorgeous floral displays, and an opportunity for some incredibly unique shopping. Gardening enthusiasts, professionals, and a gathering of the great and good from London’s society scene can always be found here amongst the floral marquees and conceptual gardens before making the most of some genuinely inspired traditional English dining and drink experiences. This is a great garden gourmet inside an event that also has a strong family-friendly philosophy for children to get their fingers green and have fun too. The Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is on from the 2nd to the 7th of July this year.
BBC Proms
The Proms is an annual 8-week festival of music that takes place in the grand and unmistakable surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall in South London. Like many of the summer social events that grace the capital, this has its origins in bringing art and culture to the masses with the impresario Robert Newman and renowned conductor Robert Wood creating The Proms in 1895 to showcase a wide repertoire of music to the public. This tradition continues and evolves in the 21st Century with daily concerts, workshops, and lectures that bring the very best in classical music from all over the world to London for two glorious months. Whether you are a seated guest or a promenader, who stands in the gallery, there is something here for all tastes with an opportunity to experience taste-broadening performances from the jazz, pop, and rock genres too. The BBC Proms take place this year from the 19th of July to the 14th of September.
Now you can choose where you and your friends would like to attend and make those all-important calls to secure a ticket or a place on the guest list. These luxury events in London promise to be exciting, interesting, and the most perfect way to spend the summer. We hope to see you amongst them for a glass of champagne very soon.
