Every Cambridge May Ball in 2024: Dates, themes and prices

In the middle of Lent term, it can be hard to imagine life beyond the heavy rain and accumulating essay deadlines. The good news is it’s already time to start planning for a week full of carefree drinking and nights when you don’t have to pay for the cloakroom. You heard me right: it’s time to get your tickets for everyone’s favourite part of the Cambridge experience, the infamous May Week.

But securing tickets for a Cambridge May Ball can be daunting. Especially if it’s your first time, you will be filled with questions. Which colleges are hosting a ball when? What are the price differences? When do tickets come out? What are the themes?

To answer all your questions, I have put together a comprehensive guide to May Week 2024. In date order, here is a list of every event alongside all the important information.

May Week can be expensive so, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the price of the balls listed below, don’t worry – cheaper events hosted by various sports and societies will be announced closer to the time. Another way many Cambridge students tackle the expense is by working at the events (information on this can be found on websites and social media).

Trinity Hall June Event 2023

Robinson May Ball

Date: Friday 14th June

Price: £120-147.50 (Robinson students), £155 (non-Robinson students)

General release date: Thursday 8th February (tickets still available)

Theme: Transcendence

Homerton May Ball

Date: Friday 14th June

Price: TBC

General release date: Wednesday 28th February

Theme: TBC

Sidney Sussex May Ball

Date: Saturday 15th June

Price: £149.50 (Sidney students), £169.50 (non-Sidney students)

General release date: Monday 5th February (tickets still available)

Theme: Eventide

Churchill May Ball

Date: Saturday 15th June

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Price: £129-149 (Churchill students), TBC (non-Churchill students)

General release date: TBC

Theme: TBC

Hughes May Ball

Date: Saturday 15th June

Price: TBC

General release date: TBC

Theme: TBC

Murray Edwards Garden Party

Date: Sunday 16th June

Price: TBC

General release date: TBC

Theme: There’s No Place Like Dome (Wizard of Oz)

Emmanuel May Ball

Date: Sunday 16th June

Price: £170 (Emmanuel students), £185 (non-Emmanuel students)

General release date: Wednesday 7th February (sold out)

Theme: Dreamscape

Trinity May Ball

Date: Monday 17th June

Price: TBC

General release: TBC

Jesus May Ball

Date: Monday 17th June

Price: £205 (non-Jesus students)

General release: Thursday 8th February

Theme: Into the Surreal

Clare May Event

Date: Monday 17th June

Price: TBC

General release date: TBC

Theme: Danse macabre

Newnham Garden Party

Date: Tuesday 18th June

Price: £45-50 (Newnham students), TBC (non-Newnham students)

General release date: Friday 16th February

Theme: Myth and magic

Gonville and Caius May Ball

Date: Tuesday 18th June

Price: £189 (Caius students), £199 (non-Caius students)

General release date: Thursday 1st February (sold out)

Theme: Renascentia

Christ’s May Ball

Date: Tuesday 18th June

Price: £175 (Christ’s students), £195 (non-Christ’s students)

General release date: Thursday 1st February (tickets still available)

Theme: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

St John’s May Ball

Date: Tuesday 18th June

Price: £215 (John’s students), £265 (non-John’s students)

General release date: Monday 5th February (sold out)

Pembroke May Ball

Date: Wednesday 19th June

Price: £148 (Pembroke students), £198 (non-Pembroke students)

General release date: Tuesday 13th February

Theme: TBC

King’s Affair

Date: Wednesday 19th June

Price: TBC

General release date: Sunday 18th February

Theme: Puppetry

Trinity Hall June Event

Date: Thursday 20th June

Price: TBC

General release date: Friday 1st March

Theme: TBC

St Catharine’s May Ball

Date: Thursday 20th June

Price: £169 (non-Catz students)

General release date: Monday 29th January (tickets still available)

Theme: Catz Vegas

Peterhouse May Ball

Date: Friday 21st June

Price: £235 (non-Peterhouse)

General release date: Friday 2nd February (standard tickets sold out but queue jump available for £260)

Theme: TBC

Wolfson May Ball

Date: Friday 21st June

Price: £130 (non-Wolfson)

General release date: Saturday 17th February

Theme: Dreamscapes

So now you’re aware of every event happening in May Week 2024, all that’s left for you to do is pick one (and take out a second student loan)!

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