Summer is a great time to meet new people. Unlike in the winter months, when many of us spend lots of time hibernating at home, people are generally making the most of the longer days and warmer weather. Plus, research suggests that many of us are happier in summer – which can provide the perfect atmosphere for making new friends.
If you want to make new connections this year, then getting stuck into a social activity that you enjoy – like sports or volunteering – can be an effective way to meet like-minded people.
So, whether you’re looking to make new friends or meet that special someone, we hope one of these 11 summer activities will help you do just that…
1. Get involved with a community garden
Managed and maintained by teams of volunteers, community gardens are shared plots of land where green-fingered people come together to grow all sorts of things – from fruits and flowers to vegetables and herbs.
Not only will joining a community garden help you to get out in the summer sun, connect with nature, and reap the health benefits of gardening, but it’ll also give you the chance to meet all kinds of people.
Plus, because community gardening often involves creating and fostering green spaces in urban areas, you’ll experience the added satisfaction of knowing that you’re improving your local area.
To find a community gardening group near you, you can visit the RHS website.
2. Consider joining Oddfellows
If you’re keen to meet people in person or virtually, and you enjoy being part of a club or group, there are plenty of ways to do this.
It’s worth checking out the Oddfellows; a network of friendship groups across the UK. The Oddfellows support almost 40,000 members across its 99 UK branches – offering plenty of daytime activities and volunteering opportunities.
Their local branches run free or inexpensive taster events – such as walks, talks, quizzes, afternoon teas, and online open days – to show newcomers the benefits of joining a friendship group and make them feel welcome.
Plus, every September, during their Friendship Month, the Oddfellows host extra events up and down the country.
You can find out more about what to expect at an Oddfellows social event and request a free information pack using the button below.
3. Take a creative class
There are many benefits to learning a new creative skill. It can help to relieve stress and encourage self-expression, all while improving memory and general brain function.
Creative classes can be great for making connections because the atmosphere is typically collaborative and relaxed. Sharing something as intimate as art can also lead to interesting conversations and help people create deeper and longer-lasting bonds.
While creative pursuits might not be your go-to when it’s sunny outside, the warmer months can be the perfect time to draw inspiration from nature. For example, you could get stuck into some plein air painting (painting outside) or collect some wood for whittling while on a walk.
There’s a wide range of creative skills you can learn, from drawing, pottery, and creative writing to origami, woodworking, and jewellery making. Head over to the Craft Courses website to search for classes near you, or check out what creative classes we’ve got scheduled on Rest Less Events.
4. Take part in a team sport
We all know that sports allow us to get some exercise and fresh air, but playing a team sport comes with lots of extra benefits.
In fact, this 2021 study found that those who played a team sport attended three times as many social events each week compared with those who didn’t. Additional research suggests that playing a team sport can also help to boost self-esteem and foster a sense of belonging.
From popular sports like football and netball to more unconventional ones like disc golf and water polo, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can even give lower-intensity versions of popular sports a try – for example, walking netball and walking football.
For more team sports ideas, why not visit the fitness and exercise section of our website?
5. Go on a solo adventure
Although taking a solo trip might not seem like everyone’s first choice when looking for new ways to meet people, travelling by yourself can be a brilliant way to form new connections while exploring new places.
When travelling with friends and family, it can be easy to stick to the group we came with – whereas solo travel encourages us to branch out and talk to people we perhaps otherwise wouldn’t.
However, the prospect of travelling on your own can be daunting. So if you like the idea of meeting new people while travelling, but don’t want to go completely alone, why not consider going on a group holiday for solo travellers, like those offered by Just You or Solos Holidays?
You can read more about solo travel on our website and browse solo travel holiday deals below. Or, why not read our interview with seasoned solo traveller Jan Clark?
6. Join a dance group
Dance groups combine fun, fitness, and socialisation – and whether you’re an experienced dancer or a newbie looking to learn a new skill, many take on people of all abilities.
From anticipating your partner’s moves while spinning through a salsa routine to working together as a large group to learn a choreographed hip-hop number, dancing can help to build bonds with others without saying a word.
Plus, because dancing releases endorphins which improve mood, spirits are usually high at dance meet-ups, which can mean that connections are formed more naturally.
If you’re thinking that dancing doesn’t seem like a particularly summery activity, lots of groups meet up to dance in outdoor, public places – so you can make the most of the warm summer weather.
7. Head to the pub
There’s a reason why people have been heading to their local pub to meet new people for centuries (and it’s not the famous Dutch courage that comes along with a few pints!). One of the best things about this treasured British institution is that anybody is welcome at the pub – whether you’re a longtime local or a traveller passing through.
In fact, most modern pubs are designed specifically for the purpose of mingling. If you visited a pub only a century or two ago, it would likely be split into lots of small rooms. This was done intentionally so that people of different classes could socialise in isolation.
But, nowadays, most pubs are open plan, encouraging people from all walks of life to enjoy each other’s company.
Pubs are also typically considered the social centre of villages, towns, and cities – hosting activities like trivia and open mic nights, and showing sports games. All of these can offer opportunities to meet new people.
8. Join a dog meet-up group
If you’ve got a dog, going for a walk or spending time at the park can be especially enjoyable throughout the summer. It’s a chance to get some fresh air and exercise, and bond with your furry friend.
However, by joining a dog meet-up group, you can also use your outdoor time as an opportunity to meet new people. And your dog can make new friends too!
Dog meet-up groups come together in parks to chat, walk their dogs, and let them play together.
There are dog meet-up groups across the UK. Most are open to absolutely anyone, while others are a little more niche; for example, catering to singles only or a specific dog breed. For example, there’s a dachshund group that meets in my local park on Saturday mornings – a couple dozen sausages bounding around together is quite a sight to behold.
So, if you’ve got a dog, why not see if there’s a meet-up group near you?
9. Volunteer
Volunteering brings people who share a common cause or purpose together, whether that be through litter picking or organising a fundraising event.
There are loads of causes that you can dedicate your time to – many of which involve being outside and in nature. So, as well as meeting people with similar interests and values to you, volunteering can also be a chance to enjoy the warm weather.
Regardless of what you choose to get involved with, giving your time to a worthy cause comes with significant rewards. So even if you don’t make lasting connections through volunteering, it’ll be time well spent.
To get inspired and search for roles, why not visit the volunteering section of our website?
10. Join a walking, running, or cycling club
Throughout the summer months, lots of us like to exercise outdoors. If you’re looking to expand your social circle, why not use this time to meet some new people by joining a walking, running, or cycling club?
Conversation can flow more naturally over a brisk walk, gentle jog, or long bike ride. And, if you find exercise a little tedious (as we all do from time to time), having some good company can help to make it feel less like a chore.
There are countless benefits to joining a walking, running, or cycling club. For example, having a weekly meet-up in your calendar can keep you accountable – you’re much less likely to swap your run for an afternoon on the sofa if other people are expecting you. Exercising with others can also motivate you to perform better, if that’s important to you.
11. Attend a festival, carnival, or parade
Celebrations of any kind bring people together. At events like festivals, carnivals, and parades, spirits are generally high – and whether it be music, food, or an appreciation of a certain culture, everyone there will have a shared interest (even if it’s just a love of being amongst people and having fun).
You can also be proactive about making connections at festivals, carnivals, and parades. For example, lots of events have social media groups like Facebook pages and Reddit forums. Here, you can speak to other attendees ahead of time and maybe even arrange to meet up.
You could even get a little creative by wearing a particularly eye-catching and conversation-starting outfit. This might make introducing yourself to others a little easier or may even encourage people to come up to you. This blog post from Adventures and Sunsets has some other helpful tips for meeting people at festivals.
Final thoughts…
From becoming part of a community gardening project to joining a dance group, we hope that this list of 11 summer activities has given you some good ideas for how to meet new people this sunny season.
Whether you’re looking for friendship or love, it’s worth stepping outside your comfort zone once in a while to try new things, as this is often when we come into contact with the most interesting people. And, whatever you choose to do, try to remain open-minded and always be yourself.
Head over to Rest Less Events to see what sociable online activities we have scheduled this summer.
And, for more ideas on how to meet new people, check out our articles; 9 different ways to meet new people and 12 ways to make new friends. Or, to find more inspiration for new pastimes, why not take a look at the hobbies and activities section of our website?
What’s your favourite way to meet new people in summer? Have you tried any of these activities? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.