What Actually Is a May Ball?
A Cambridge May Ball is a formal, all-night celebration held by the colleges of the University of Cambridge during May Week - which, in a classically Cambridge twist, actually takes place in June, after exams finish. These are not ordinary parties. They are lavish, college-wide events running from around 9pm until 6am the following morning, with entertainment, food, and drinks included in the ticket price.
The tradition dates back to the 1860s, when colleges began hosting formal end-of-year celebrations for students. Over the decades, these evolved from modest dances into the spectacular productions they are today - complete with headline musical acts, fairground rides, fireworks, cocktail bars, and immersive entertainment.
Most May Balls operate on a biennial cycle, meaning each college holds its ball every other year. In any given year, roughly half the colleges will be running events, which means around 15-20 balls, June Events, and soirees take place across a concentrated two-week period. The biggest balls - Trinity, St John's, and a handful of others - can host over 2,000 guests. Smaller soirees might have just 300.
What to Expect on the Night
Every ball is different, but there is a common rhythm to the evening that most follow.
Arrival and Queueing (8:30pm-9:30pm)
Gates typically open around 9pm, but queues start forming from 8:30pm onwards. This is part of the experience - you will see hundreds of people in black tie and formal gowns lining up along the street, often with champagne in hand. Some balls have a staggered entry system; others open the gates all at once. Arrive early if you want to maximise your time inside. Many people pre-drink in college rooms or nearby pubs beforehand.
The First Hour (9pm-10pm)
When you walk through the gates, you will typically be handed a glass of champagne or a welcome cocktail. Take a moment to explore the grounds before they get too crowded. The production quality will surprise you - colleges spend months transforming their courts and gardens into themed entertainment zones. Find the food stalls, locate the bars, and get your bearings.
Entertainment (10pm-4am)
This is the heart of the ball. Depending on the size of the event, you can expect some combination of:
- Live music stages - from headline acts (past performers include Rag'n'Bone Man, Bastille, Jess Glynne, and Lewis Capaldi) to student bands, jazz combos, and DJs
- Comedy sets - many balls book professional comedians for intimate shows
- Fairground rides - dodgems, waltzers, and ferris wheels are common at the bigger balls
- Casino and games - roulette, blackjack, and carnival games with fake money
- Silent discos - a modern staple where everyone dances to their own chosen channel
- Photo booths, caricaturists, and fortune tellers
- Themed rooms and immersive experiences - some balls create elaborate themed zones with actors and set design
Food and Drink
Most balls include unlimited food and drink in the ticket price. Expect a variety of food stalls serving different cuisines - burgers, sushi, crepes, curries, hog roast, churros, and more. There will typically be cocktail bars, wine bars, beer tents, and soft drink stations scattered around the grounds. Some balls also serve a formal sit-down meal, usually a three-course dinner at the start of the evening.
The Small Hours (4am-6am)
The crowd thins after 3am, and the atmosphere shifts. This is when many people say the ball becomes truly magical - the grounds are quieter, the queues are gone, and you can enjoy the entertainment at your own pace. Some balls serve breakfast from 4am or 5am (think bacon rolls, pastries, and coffee). The night ends with the survivors' photo at dawn, usually taken around 5:30am or 6am on the college's main lawn.
What to Wear
Most May Balls have a black tie dress code. A small number — notably Peterhouse and Magdalene — require white tie. Others like St John's are black tie with white tie optional. Always check your specific ball's dress code before buying or hiring anything.
For black tie, men typically wear a dinner jacket (tuxedo), black trousers, a white dress shirt, and a bow tie. Women wear a formal gown, cocktail dress, or equivalent. National dress is always acceptable at any dress code level.
The most important practical tip: wear comfortable shoes. You will be on your feet for up to nine hours, much of it on grass, gravel, and cobblestones. Stilettos on a Cambridge lawn are a recipe for disaster. Many women bring a pair of flats to change into, or wear comfortable block heels from the start. For men, well-broken-in leather shoes are better than brand-new patent ones.
For a detailed guide on dress codes, budget options, and what not to wear, see our What to Wear guide.
Pacing Yourself
A May Ball is a marathon, not a sprint. The single biggest mistake first-timers make is going too hard in the first two hours and then struggling by midnight.
- Eat throughout the night - don't skip the food stalls because you're having fun. Eating consistently is the best way to keep your energy up and stay in control.
- Drink water - most bars will happily give you water. Alternate between alcoholic drinks and water, especially in the first few hours.
- Don't peak too early - the best part of the ball is often between midnight and 4am, when the headline acts play and the atmosphere hits its peak. If you burn out by 11pm, you will miss the best bits.
- Dress warmly - Cambridge gets cold in the small hours, even in June. Temperatures can drop to 8-10°C by 3am. A shawl, pashmina, or jacket that you can leave at the coat check is a good idea.
- Take breaks - find a quiet corner, sit on the grass, and soak it in. You don't have to be constantly doing something.
The Survivors' Photo
The survivors' photo is a May Ball tradition. At dawn - usually around 5:30am - everyone remaining at the ball gathers on the main lawn for a group photograph. It is a rite of passage. You will look tired, your outfit will be rumpled, and you will be grinning. Stay for it. The photo is typically posted on the ball's social media within a few days.
After the photo, many balls serve a final round of breakfast or champagne, and guests drift out as the sun rises. The traditional post-ball activity is punting on the Backs, though in practice most people go straight to bed.
Photography Tips
You will want to take photos, but don't let your phone dominate the experience. A few practical tips:
- Charge your phone to 100% before you arrive and consider bringing a portable battery pack. Nine hours of photos, videos, and social media will drain any phone.
- Take your best photos early - you'll look your sharpest at 9pm, not at 4am. Get your formal photos done when you arrive.
- Night mode is your friend - modern phone cameras have excellent night modes. Use them rather than the flash, which will wash everything out.
- Video the fireworks - most balls have a fireworks display, and a short video captures it far better than a blurry photo.
- Some balls hire professional photographers who roam the grounds. Check the ball's website or social media after the event for these photos.
Practical Logistics
Getting There
Most balls are in central Cambridge colleges, which are walkable from anywhere in the city centre. If you're coming from outside Cambridge, arrive early and get changed at a friend's room or a hotel. Don't drive - parking is limited and you'll be in no state to drive afterwards. If you're coming from London, the last direct train arrives around 10pm, and the first train back is around 5am.
What to Bring
- Your ticket (digital or printed - check what format your ball requires)
- Photo ID (you will need it at the gate)
- Phone and portable charger
- Cash (a small amount, just in case - most balls are cashless)
- Comfortable backup shoes
- A light layer for the early morning
Coat Check
Most balls offer a free coat check near the entrance. Use it. You don't want to carry a jacket around for nine hours. Drop off anything you don't need when you arrive and collect it on the way out.
Phone Charging
Some balls provide phone charging stations, but they're not guaranteed and are often in high demand. The safest option is a small power bank in your pocket or bag. A 5,000mAh battery is enough for a full charge and fits easily in a jacket pocket.
How to Get Tickets
May Ball tickets are notoriously competitive. Most balls sell out within hours - some within minutes. Here's how the system generally works:
Internal Tickets
Members of the college (current students, and sometimes Fellows and staff) get first priority. Internal tickets go on sale a few weeks before external tickets and are usually cheaper. If you're a member of the college, this is the easiest way to get tickets.
External Tickets
External tickets are available to anyone, but are more expensive and far more competitive. They typically go on sale in late March or April. Sign up for ticket alerts on the balls directory to get notified the moment tickets become available.
Guest Tickets
If you know someone with a ticket, they can often buy a guest ticket for you. This is one of the most reliable ways to get into a popular ball. Guest tickets are usually the same price as the internal member's ticket.
The Marketplace
If tickets have sold out, check the official resale marketplace. Some balls allow ticket holders to resell their tickets at face value through the ball's ticketing platform. This is safer and more reliable than buying from strangers on social media.
For budget-conscious options, see our May Balls on a Budget guide. For help choosing which ball to attend, see Which Ball Should You Go To?
Final Tips
- Go with the right people - a May Ball is as much about the company as the event itself. Go with friends you enjoy spending time with, not just people who happened to have tickets.
- Don't try to do everything - bigger balls have so much going on that you literally cannot see it all. Pick your priorities and be okay with missing some things.
- Soak it in - it's easy to spend the whole night rushing between acts. Take a moment to stand in a beautiful college court at midnight with a drink in your hand and appreciate where you are.
- The next day is a write-off - plan accordingly. You won't be functional until at least mid-afternoon. Clear your schedule.
- It's worth it - May Balls can feel expensive, but they are genuinely unique events that you will remember for years. If you have the chance to go, go.