page_title: Season (society)
section_title: Social season of London
hierarchical_section_title: Season (society) / Social season of London
caption_attribution_description: English: High Fashion and Elegance at Royal Ascot
context_page_description: The social season, or season, refers to the traditional annual period when it is customary for members of a social elite of society to hold balls, dinner parties and charity events. Until World War I, it was also the appropriate time to be resident in the city rather than in the country in order to attend such events.
  In modern times in the United Kingdom, "the Season" is known to encompass various prestigious events that take place during the spring and summer. According to Sloaney Season, it starts with Cheltenham Festival, and includes the Grand National, The Boat Race, Badminton Horse Trials, Chelsea Flower Show, Epsom Derby, Royal Ascot, Test matches at Lord's, Wimbledon, Henley Royal Regatta, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and others, ending with Goodwood Revival.
context_section_description: The London social season evolved in the 17th and 18th centuries, and in its traditional form it peaked in the 19th century. In this era the British elite was dominated by landowning aristocratic and gentry families who generally regarded their country house as their main home, but spent several months of the year in the capital to socialise and to engage in politics. The most exclusive events were held at the town mansions of leading members of the aristocracy. Exclusive public venues such as Almack's played a secondary role. The Season coincided with the sitting of parliament; it began some time after Christmas and ran until midsummer, roughly late June.
  The social season played a role in the political life of the country: the members of the two Houses of Parliament were almost all participants in the season. But the Season also provided an opportunity for the children of marriageable age of the nobility and gentry to be launched into society. Debutantes were formally introduced into society by presentation to the monarch at royal court during Queen Charlotte's Ball until the practice was abolished by Queen Elizabeth II in 1958. Queen Charlotte's Ball ceased to function in 1976, but has been relaunched since without the monarch's involvement, and with more limited uptake; debutantes instead curtsy to "Queen Charlotte's Birthday Cake".
  The traditional Season went into decline after the First World War, when many aristocratic families gave up their London mansions. From then on, more society events took place at public venues, making it harder to maintain social exclusivity.
  Many events that take place far from central London came to be regarded as part of the social season, including Royal Ascot and the Henley Royal Regatta. The events that now constitute the London social season are increasingly hosted or sponsored by large companies (i.e. "corporate hospitality"). Western dress codes still apply to certain events in the season, especially where the Queen maintains an official role.
  According to the peerage guide Debrett's, the traditional social season runs from April to August.
caption: Royal Ascot
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