At what event do Elizabeth and Darcy first meet?

Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy first meet at the Meryton assembly in Pride and Prejudice.

The assembly is the public dance where Charles Bingley is introduced to the local society after renting Netherfield Park. Bingley quickly becomes interested in Jane Bennet, while Darcy attracts attention because of his wealth and appearance but behaves with conspicuous reserve. When Bingley encourages him to dance with Elizabeth, Darcy dismisses her as not handsome enough to tempt him.

That insult gives Elizabeth her first strong impression of Darcy and helps establish the novel’s central pattern: his pride and her prejudice develop together. Their relationship changes only gradually, through later meetings at Netherfield, Lucas Lodge, Hunsford, and Pemberley.

The Meryton assembly should not be confused with the Netherfield ball. The Netherfield event occurs later, after Jane has recovered from illness and Elizabeth has spent time at Netherfield. By then Elizabeth and Darcy already know each other, and their interactions carry the tension created at their first meeting.