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, science suggests that, in many cases, people are happier in summer – which can provide the perfect atmosphere for making new friends.
If you want to make new connections this summer, 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 10 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 can 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 some of the well-documented 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 benefiting your local area.
To find a community gardening group near you, you can visit the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) website.
2. Take a creative class
There are many benefits to learning a new creative skill. For example, it can help to relieve stress and encourage self-expression – while learning any new skill can help to improve memory and general brain function.
Compared to other, more study-based classes, creative classes can be better for making connections because the atmosphere is typically more collaborative and there’s less time spent with noses in books. 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 a perfect time to draw inspiration from nature and use time outside to complement your arts and crafts. For example, you could get stuck into some plein air painting (painting outside) or use a summer walk through the woods to collect some wood for whittling.
There’s a wide range of creative skills you can learn, from drawing, pottery, and creative writing to origami, woodworking, and graffiti. 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.
3. Take part in a team sport
We all know that sports can encourage us to get some exercise and fresh air, but playing a team sport, as opposed to a solitary one, 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 than those who didn’t. Additional research suggests that playing a team sport can also help to boost things like self-esteem and foster a sense of belonging.
From popular sports like football and netball to slightly 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?
4. 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 the best 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 being by ourselves can encourage us to branch out and talk to people we perhaps otherwise wouldn’t.
Despite these benefits, the prospect of travelling solo 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?
You can visit the Just You website or read our interview with seasoned solo traveller Jan Clark to find out more.
5. 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 trust and bonds with others without saying a word.
Plus, because dancing releases endorphins which improve mood (perhaps more than regular aerobic activity), 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.
6. 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 our 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 social epicentres of villages, towns, and cities – hosting activities like trivia and open mic nights, and televising sports games. All of these can offer opportunities to meet new people.
7. 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 months. 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 and other areas to chat, walk their dogs, and let them play amongst themselves.
There are dog meet-up groups all over 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?
8. Volunteer for a cause that’s important to you
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 interacting with 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?
9. Join a walking, running, or cycling club
Throughout the summer months, lots of us like to exercise outdoors. So 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.
The benefits of joining a walking, running, or cycling club don’t end there. 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.
10. Attend a festival, carnival, or parade
Celebrations of any kind can 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 an interest in common (even if it’s just a love of being among 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 10 summer activities has given you some good ideas for how to meet new people this sunny season.
Whether you’re looking for friendship or even love, it’s worth stepping outside of 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 the Rest Less Events page to see what sociable online activities we have scheduled this summer.
And for more ideas on how to meet new people, check out our article; 7 different ways to meet new people. Or, to find more inspiration for new pastimes, why not take a look at the hobbies and activities section of our website?