All May Balls and June Events cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19

All 2020 May Balls and June Events have been cancelled or postponed in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it has been announced today.

The Presidents’ Committee, which is comprised of a representative from each May Week event, has taken the decision to cancel or postpone all the events, due to take place between Friday 12th June and Friday 19th June 2020.

May Balls are usually the highlight of the academic year for Cambridge students, as they celebrate finishing exams – and, for many, their degrees – with a lavish night of partying under the stars. Many of these events have budgets of over £100,000, and some tickets, such as those for John’s and Trinity, cost over £200.

The May Ball Presidents’ Committee had previously issued a statement in which they said they were “closely monitoring the situation”.

Today, the Committee issued the following statement: “The May Ball Presidents’ Committee have been closely monitoring the advice given by the central Government, City Council, University and College officials with regard to large-scale public events.

“With the recent move into ‘red phase’ by the University, the May Ball Presidents’ Committee regret to announce that May Balls and June Events scheduled for June 2020 must be cancelled or postponed.

“As per our previous statement, all May Balls will release their respective refund policies within the coming days and weeks. While Ball Committees prepare to release these, please refrain from emailing your ticketing officers unless urgent. All Committees are working within different constraints and time-frames and are working as fast as they can.

“We would like to thank you all for bearing with us through this uncertain time. These cancellations come as a blow to all Committees and College officials that have worked hard to make these events happen. We very much look forward to celebrating with you at events in the years to come.”

The May Balls due to be happening this year were Trinity, John’s, Pembroke, Jesus, St Edmund’s, Christ’s, Wolfson, Robinson, Homerton, Hughes Hall, and Catz. 

The following long-anticipated May Week events have also been cancelled: the Trinity Hall, Gonville and Caius, Sidney, and Emmanuel June Events, as well as the Medwards Garden Party and King’s Affair.

Individual balls informed ticket holders of the news this morning, and details about refunds – which vary by event – will be issued shortly.

Featured image credit: Cmglee / Creative Commons License