The Winter Social Season Guide

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Following the success of our annual British Summer Social Season Guide, we have launched the Winter Social Season Guide to highlight some of the key events taking place in Britain. We have also included some of the top social fixtures in Europe for those wanting to travel for a special event.

2016/2017 Dates

Skip to: October ¦ November ¦ December ¦ January ¦ February ¦ March


October

Stone Food & Drink Festival (30th September – 2nd October 2016)

www.stonefooddrink.org.uk

This year will be the 10th year of Staffordshire’s biggest gastronomic gathering.  Now a real red letter day in the ‘foodie’ calendar, the Taste of Staffordshire supported event attracts in excess of 20,000 visitors. There is a packed week-long schedule of food and drink events hosted by local pubs and businesses in addition to the ‘main event’ on the town’s Westbridge Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Stone Food & Drink Festival

Stone Food & Drink Festival

Frieze Art Fair (6th-9th October 2016)

friezelondon.com

Frieze London is one of the world’s leading contemporary art fairs and a highlight on the social calendar. It features over 160 of the world’s most exciting galleries. In 2014, the fair also introduced ‘Live’, which is a new section dedicated to ambitious performance-based installations.

Frieze London

Frieze London


November

Harrods Christmas Grotto (November 4th – Thursday 24th December 2016)

http://www.harrods.com/content/misc/boutiques/the-harrods-christmas-grotto-2015

Whether marking a child’s first Christmas or honouring a family tradition, a visit to The Harrods Christmas Grotto is the perfect way to start the festive season, as well as an opportunity to make special memories that will be remembered forever. You must be a rewards member to book a ticket.

Harrods Christmas Grotto

Harrods Christmas Grotto

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (18th November 2015 to 2nd January 2017)

http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/

The annual event is back this November and will showcase another Christmas extravaganza. Hyde Park will be transformed into a dazzling spectacle of winter magic, filled with festive activities.

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park


December

Tingle Creek Christmas Festival at Sandown Park (3rd of December 2016)

sandown.thejockeyclub.co.uk/events-tickets/whats-on/tingle-creek-christmas-festival-friday

One of jump racing’s most popular festive fixtures, the Tingle Creek Christmas Festival takes place at the start of December.

Tingle Creek Festival

Tingle Creek Christmas Festival at Sandown

Art Basel, Miami Beach (1st – 4th December 2016)

www.artbasel.com/miami-beach

Art Basel’s show in Miami Beach returns this December for its 14th edition with leading international galleries, drawn from countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Attracting leading collectors, curators, museum directors and critics from across the globe, Art Basel in Miami Beach ranks as the premier art show of the Americas, with 50 percent of the galleries having exhibition spaces in the region.

Art Basel

Art Basel, Miami Beach

The London International Horse Show at Olympia (13th-19th of December 2016)  

www.olympiahorseshow.com

Billed as the ‘best equestrian Christmas party’, some of the world’s best horse and rider combinations travel from around the world to compete at this show. The International showjumping and dressage competitions are accompanied by festive displays, including a visit from Father Christmas, and a shopping village. Private boxes are very popular and need booking well in advance.

Olympia Horse Show

Olympia Horse Show

The William Hill Winter Festival, Kempton Park (Starts 26th December 2016)

www.thejockeyclub.co.uk

William Hill Winter Festival starts of Boxing Day and has become a traditional family day out between Christmas and the New Year.

Racing on Boxing Day at Kempton

Racing starts on Boxing Day at Kempton


January
Cirque du Soleil London (From Janurary 12th 2017)

www.cirquedusoleil.com

Recognized over the world, Cirque du Soleil has constantly sought to evoke imagination, invoke senses and provoke emotions. The incredible displays are worth visiting the Royal Albert Hall to enjoy as a family outing or with friends.

Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil

The White Ring / Der Weiße Ring, Lech, Austria (January 2017)

www.lechzuers.com/the-white-ring-the-race

For winter sports enthusiasts, the White Ring represents a sporting challenge with approximately 22 km of ski runs and 5,500 vertical meters, as well as a sightseeing tour with viewing platforms. The White Ring is a unique race in Lech and Zürs, which you will find nowhere else in the world. This year is celebrates its 50th anniversary and skiers of all levels race the circular route.

The White Ring

The White Ring

Where to stay? 

Hotel Goldener Berg is the best ski-in ski-out hotel in Lech. Nestled high up above the village in Oberlech, this luxurious hotel includes an excellent spa and several restaurants.  Read our feature here and book here.

Goldener Berg Hotel

Goldener Berg Hotel is the perfect place to stay if you visit Lech for the ski race

Snow Polo, St Moritz (Janurary 27th – 29th)

www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com

St. Moritz has played host to the world’s pre-eminent snow polo tournament since 1985 and it has become one of the highlights of the European social calendar. Besides being the first-ever snow polo tournament, the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz is the only high goal polo tournament played on snow.

Snow Polo

The Snow Polo


February
FROSTGUN, Val d’Isere, France (February 2017)

www.valdisere.com

FROSTGUN takes place in the heart of Val d’Isere at the foot of Face de Bellevarde. It welcomes the world’s best freestyle skiers, inviting them to compete on a spectacular jump. FROSTGUN is not just about skiing, a music lineup with huge DJ’s from Holland, Sweden, France, UK and Denmark have been booked to make sure that the week of FROSTGUN will be unforgettable.

FROSTGUN

FROSTGUN

Where to stay? 

Hotel Le Blizzard is Val d’Isere’s most luxurious 5* hotel. Privately owned, it maintains the feel of a chalet and is located a stone’s throw away from the slopes. Read our feature here.

Hotel Le Blizzard

Hotel Le Blizzard


March
The Cheltenham Festival (14th – 17th March 2017)

cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk

The Cheltenham Festival is one of sport’s most enthralling extravaganzas and in 2016 the nation will once again be swept by horse racing fever as gamblers and racing fanatics prepare to embark on an unrivalled path of excitement. The highlight is Gold Cup Day on Friday 18th of March.

Cheltenham

The Cheltenham Festival

 FEATURE IN OUR GUIDE

“I really appreciate the coverage about our Henley party in the The Sloaney’s British Summer Social Season Guide. We have seen quite the jump in tickets sales since you published it.”  – The Champagne Cocktail Club at Henley Royal Regatta

This is the first time we have run the Winter Social Season. Running an event and want it to feature in our guide?

Find out more by emailing editor@thesloaney.com