From championship polo and historic horse racing to garden shows and county fairs
Surrey 2026 Social Calendar
From championship polo and historic horse racing to garden shows and county fairs, Surrey's social calendar runs deep. Sorted by date, closest first.
May
25 May
Surrey County Show
25 May 2026 (Bank Holiday Monday)
Surrey's premier agricultural show at Stoke Park, celebrating the county's rural heritage with livestock competitions, equestrian displays, local food and drink, countryside crafts, and a grand ring programme. A true Surrey tradition since the 19th century.
The greatest flat race in the world, held on the iconic Epsom Downs since 1780. The Derby Festival features two days of world-class racing including The Oaks on Ladies' Day and The Derby, attracting royalty, high society, and over 100,000 spectators.
The most prestigious polo tournament in the UK, hosted at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park since 1960. The final is one of the highlights of the English summer season, drawing an elegant crowd for world-class polo and hospitality.
A landmark event marking the 100th anniversary of Britain's first Grand Prix, held at Brooklands in 1926. Grand Prix cars spanning a century, track demonstrations, and engine activations make this the headline event of the Brooklands 2026 calendar.
The Royal Horticultural Society's flagship Surrey garden hosts spectacular seasonal shows throughout the year. The Wisley Flower Show in September showcases late-summer planting, floral design, and expert garden talks within the 240-acre garden.
A unique woodland festival showcasing traditional crafts, tree climbing, woodworking demonstrations, bushcraft, and local food and drink. Set in a beautiful woodland copse within the Surrey Hills National Landscape.
The European Tour's flagship event, held annually on Wentworth's famous West Course. One of the biggest golf tournaments in Europe, attracting the world's finest players to the Surrey heath for four days of championship golf.
Founded by Kenney Jones of The Who, Hurtwood Park Polo Club in the Surrey Hills offers an intimate and elegant polo experience from April to September. Charity tournaments, corporate days, and summer cup fixtures draw crowds to this five-ground club near Cranleigh.
The birthplace of British motorsport and aviation hosts a celebrated calendar of classic car gatherings, vintage vehicle rallies, and motoring heritage events throughout the warmer months, set against the historic banked circuit.
From the Cheese & Chilli Festival at Shalford Park to the Foodies Festival at Stoke Park, Guildford hosts a lively calendar of food and drink events through the summer months, showcasing Surrey's finest producers.
One of Britain's premier racecourses hosting top-class flat and National Hunt racing year-round. Highlights include the bet365 Gold Cup in April, Eclipse Stakes in July, and the Tingle Creek meeting in December.
Surrey's all-weather and turf racecourse hosts a busy calendar of flat and jump racing, including popular evening meetings in summer and the Winter Million festival. Ladies' days and themed events run throughout the year.
Surrey's calendar is busy. The Epsom Derby, first run in 1780, still pulls over 100,000 people to the Downs every June. A few weeks before that, the Surrey County Show fills Stoke Park in Guildford with livestock competitions, equestrian displays and local food stalls, as it has done since the 19th century.
Polo runs through the summer. The Cartier Queen's Cup at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park is the top tournament in the UK, and Hurtwood Park Polo Club (founded by Kenney Jones of The Who, up in the Surrey Hills) hosts charity matches and cup fixtures from April to September. If cars are more your thing, Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, where British motorsport started, runs classic car rallies and vintage events through the warmer months. In 2026 they're marking the Grand Prix Centenary, 100 years since Britain's first Grand Prix took place on the banked circuit.
The BMW PGA Championship comes back to Wentworth's West Course each September. The RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show fills its 240-acre site with late-summer planting. Guildford runs food festivals through the year, including the Cheese & Chilli Festival at Shalford Park and the Foodies Festival at Stoke Park. The Surrey Hills Wood Fair near Cranleigh is a quieter affair: traditional crafts, woodworking and bushcraft in a woodland clearing. All of it within an hour of central London.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest events in Surrey in 2026?
The biggest events in Surrey in 2026 include the Epsom Derby Festival (5-6 June), the Cartier Queen’s Cup Polo final at Guards Polo Club (14 June), the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth (17-20 September), the Brooklands Grand Prix Centenary (8 August), the RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show (1-6 September), and the Surrey County Show at Stoke Park, Guildford (25 May).
When is the Epsom Derby 2026?
The Epsom Derby Festival takes place on 5-6 June 2026 at Epsom Downs Racecourse. The Oaks is run on Ladies’ Day (Friday 5 June) and The Derby itself on Saturday 6 June. The Derby has been held on the iconic Epsom Downs since 1780 and regularly attracts over 100,000 spectators.
Can you watch polo in Surrey?
Yes, Surrey offers excellent polo. The Cartier Queen’s Cup, the top polo tournament in the UK, is held at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park with the 2026 final on 14 June. Hurtwood Park Polo Club near Cranleigh, founded by Kenney Jones of The Who, runs charity tournaments, corporate days, and cup fixtures from April to September in the Surrey Hills.
What food festivals are in Surrey?
Surrey hosts several food festivals, particularly around Guildford. The Cheese & Chilli Festival at Shalford Park and the Foodies Festival at Stoke Park run through the summer months, showcasing Surrey’s finest local producers. The Surrey County Show in May also features extensive local food and drink stalls.
Is the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2026?
Yes, the BMW PGA Championship returns to Wentworth Club’s famous West Course on 17-20 September 2026. It is the European Tour’s flagship event and has been held at Wentworth since 1984. The tournament attracts the world’s finest players to Virginia Water for four days of championship golf.
What outdoor events are near Guildford?
Guildford and the surrounding area host numerous outdoor events. The Surrey County Show takes place at Stoke Park on 25 May, the Guildford food festivals run through summer at Shalford Park and Stoke Park, the Surrey Hills Wood Fair is held at Cranleigh Showground on 12-13 September, and Hurtwood Park Polo Club near Cranleigh runs polo fixtures from April to September.
Surrey 2026 Social Calendar
From championship polo and historic horse racing to garden shows and county fairs, Surrey's social calendar runs deep. Sorted by date, closest first.
May
Surrey County Show
Surrey's premier agricultural show at Stoke Park, celebrating the county's rural heritage with livestock competitions, equestrian displays, local food and drink, countryside crafts, and a grand ring programme. A true Surrey tradition since the 19th century.
June
Epsom Derby Festival
The greatest flat race in the world, held on the iconic Epsom Downs since 1780. The Derby Festival features two days of world-class racing including The Oaks on Ladies' Day and The Derby, attracting royalty, high society, and over 100,000 spectators.
Cartier Queen's Cup Polo
The most prestigious polo tournament in the UK, hosted at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park since 1960. The final is one of the highlights of the English summer season, drawing an elegant crowd for world-class polo and hospitality.
August
Brooklands Grand Prix Centenary
A landmark event marking the 100th anniversary of Britain's first Grand Prix, held at Brooklands in 1926. Grand Prix cars spanning a century, track demonstrations, and engine activations make this the headline event of the Brooklands 2026 calendar.
September
RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show
The Royal Horticultural Society's flagship Surrey garden hosts spectacular seasonal shows throughout the year. The Wisley Flower Show in September showcases late-summer planting, floral design, and expert garden talks within the 240-acre garden.
Surrey Hills Wood Fair
A unique woodland festival showcasing traditional crafts, tree climbing, woodworking demonstrations, bushcraft, and local food and drink. Set in a beautiful woodland copse within the Surrey Hills National Landscape.
BMW PGA Championship
The European Tour's flagship event, held annually on Wentworth's famous West Course. One of the biggest golf tournaments in Europe, attracting the world's finest players to the Surrey heath for four days of championship golf.
Season-Long & Year-Round
Hurtwood Park Polo
Founded by Kenney Jones of The Who, Hurtwood Park Polo Club in the Surrey Hills offers an intimate and elegant polo experience from April to September. Charity tournaments, corporate days, and summer cup fixtures draw crowds to this five-ground club near Cranleigh.
Brooklands Classic Car Events
The birthplace of British motorsport and aviation hosts a celebrated calendar of classic car gatherings, vintage vehicle rallies, and motoring heritage events throughout the warmer months, set against the historic banked circuit.
Guildford Food Festivals
From the Cheese & Chilli Festival at Shalford Park to the Foodies Festival at Stoke Park, Guildford hosts a lively calendar of food and drink events through the summer months, showcasing Surrey's finest producers.
Sandown Park Racing
One of Britain's premier racecourses hosting top-class flat and National Hunt racing year-round. Highlights include the bet365 Gold Cup in April, Eclipse Stakes in July, and the Tingle Creek meeting in December.
Lingfield Park Racecourse
Surrey's all-weather and turf racecourse hosts a busy calendar of flat and jump racing, including popular evening meetings in summer and the Winter Million festival. Ladies' days and themed events run throughout the year.