The London Social Season Calendar, 1897

London's Social Season was fluid, depending on weather and hunting. The season typically coincided with the opening of Parliament, when its members would file into London from their country homes.

Social events, however, weren't in full swing until Easter, when people started to filter in from their country estates. In 1897,  the year of Queen Victoria's Jubilee, the annual exhibition at the Royal Academy of Art was considered "official" opening of the season. 

March

26th The Grand National horserace in Aintree, near Liverpool
The Duke of York (the future King George V) opens an exhibition of Irish industries at Chelsea House.

April

3rd The 54th Annual University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge

​Church Parades in Hyde Park​

A private viewing at the New Gallery.

May

The Season officially opens.

3rd Opening day of the 129th Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts

22nd Ladies Driving Competition at Ranelagh

The garden party season kicks off with one given by the Wheel Club at Hereford House.

Two Drawing Rooms held at Court by either the Queen or the Princess of Wales.

Covent Garden open for opera season.

A concert held at Bridgewater House, residence of Lord and Lady Ellesmere in aid of the North St Pancras Children's Holiday Fund.

June

2nd Epsom Derby Day

15th - 18th Royal Ascot

21st - July 1st Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon

Visitors from all over the world stream into London for the Queen's Jubilee.

A gala Jubilee performance is given at Covent Garden to an audience that included 60 royalties.

Wife of American millionaire Joseph Chamberlain gives a reception but send out too many invitations, preventing the guest of honor, the Prince of Wales, from entering the house.
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July

5th The Duchess of Devonshire's famous fancy dress ball.

14th - 16th The Henley Royal Regatta

The Oxford v. Cambridge and Eton v. Harrow cricket matches are held.

The Opera season closes.

The Duke of Richmond's race-meeting at Goodwood.

August

2nd Closing Day of the Royal Academy of Arts Exhibition

The season comes to a close and people take advantage of the last days of summer along the coasts of England and France. 

The stag season opens in Devon.