A Cambridge May Ball is a large overnight formal event held by a college of the University of Cambridge. Despite the name, they take place in June, during a period known as May Week — the celebration at the end of the exam term. They're one of the most distinctive traditions in British university life.
What actually happens?
Imagine an entire college — centuries-old buildings, courtyards, gardens, river banks — transformed into a single enormous party that runs from evening until dawn. That's a May Ball.
A typical May Ball includes:
- A formal dinner — usually a sit-down meal served in the college hall or a marquee, often with wine pairings
- Live music across multiple stages — headline acts (past headliners have included Rudimental, Jess Glynne, Craig David, and Stormzy), plus DJs, student bands, jazz, and classical
- Entertainment everywhere — fairground rides, silent discos, comedy tents, casino tables, photo booths, karaoke, magicians, and more
- Food and drink through the night — beyond the formal dinner, expect street food stalls, cocktail bars, and late-night snacks until breakfast
- Fireworks — many balls include a fireworks display over the college grounds or the river Cam
- The survivors' photo — at dawn (usually around 6am), everyone still standing gathers for a group photo. It's a tradition and a badge of honour.
Why do people go?
There's nothing quite like it anywhere else. A few reasons people love May Balls:
- The setting. Cambridge colleges are stunning — medieval courtyards, manicured lawns, riverside gardens. Seeing them lit up and transformed for one night is genuinely magical.
- The scale. The biggest balls have budgets in the hundreds of thousands and host 2,000-3,500 guests. The amount of entertainment, food, and production packed into one night is staggering.
- The tradition. May Balls have been running since the 1800s. There's a sense of occasion — black tie, champagne, a night that marks the end of a year's hard work.
- The memories. Ask anyone who's been to a Cambridge May Ball and they'll remember it. Dancing at 3am, watching fireworks from the Backs, the survivors' photo at sunrise — these are the nights people talk about for years.
St John's College Bridge of Sighs during a May Ball
How much do they cost?
Prices vary widely by event:
- Garden parties and soirees: £60-£130 — shorter, more affordable events that still deliver a great night
- June Events: £75-£140 — similar to May Balls but typically shorter and less formal
- May Balls: £175-£300 — the full overnight experience with formal dining, multiple stages, and entertainment until dawn
College members usually pay less than external guests. Some colleges also offer bursary tickets for students who couldn't otherwise afford to go.
Browse the 2026 directory to see exact prices for every event.
When do they happen?
May Week usually falls in mid to late June. Events are spread across about two weeks, with different colleges running on different nights. Some nights have multiple balls happening simultaneously across Cambridge.
A few events run outside this window — Selwyn runs a Winter Ball in December, and some colleges hold events in other terms.
Who can go?
It depends on the ball:
- College members get priority and usually the cheapest tickets
- Other Cambridge students can usually buy external tickets, though these are more expensive and may sell out faster
- Alumni of the college often get a separate allocation
- Guests can attend as a "+1" of a ticket holder, though some balls require both people to be named at purchase
You don't have to be a Cambridge student to go — but getting tickets as an external guest is harder for the most popular events.
What should you wear?
The vast majority of May Balls are black tie — dinner jacket and bow tie for men, a formal dress or gown for women. A small number of events (Peterhouse, Magdalene) are white tie. Some smaller events have a more relaxed dress code.
Always check the specific event's dress code. Our what to wear guide covers everything including hire options and what to avoid.
What's the difference between a May Ball and a June Event?
In practical terms:
- May Balls are the full overnight events — formal dinner, multiple stages, entertainment until dawn, survivors' photo at sunrise. Usually the more expensive option.
- June Events are similar but typically shorter (ending around 1-2am rather than 6am), less formal, and more affordable. They can still be excellent nights.
- Soirees and garden parties are shorter evening events, often finishing by midnight. The most affordable option and a great introduction to Cambridge ball culture.
How do you get tickets?
Tickets are released by each college's ball committee, usually between January and April. The biggest events sell out in minutes. Here's how to give yourself the best chance:
- Sign up for alerts on the directory so you know when tickets go on sale
- Be ready on release day — have your payment details ready and know the exact release time. Read our release day survival guide.
- Have a backup plan — know your second and third choice events
- Join waitlists — if you miss out, transfers and resale happen later through the marketplace
Ready to find your ball?
Browse every Cambridge event for 2026 — dates, prices, dress codes, and ticket links — in one place.