
Your definitive guide to Cambridge May Ball ticket prices
If you’re lost in the sea of May Ball ticket releases, this article is for you
It’s that time of year again. May Ball tickets are being released, club night launch events seem to be happening every week, and Ticketbridge listings are filling up with “want to swap May Ball ticket?” posts already.
But with 31 Cambridge colleges, how can we possibly keep up? Do not fear, this article will tell you all you need to know about dates, prices, and ticketing information for each Cambridge college! Read until the end to find out information on discounted and bursary tickets on offer as well.
This is everything you need to know about all the Cambridge May Ball 2023 tickets and prices:

Get ready for your red carpet debut! (Image credits: Holly Sheridan)
To start: dates
Now, with so many May balls it can get very confusing when each one is, so here’s a schedule to help you all out – you’re welcome.

Image credits: Emily McDonagh
From what I can tell, these are the only Cambridge May balls on for 2023, as other colleges like Selwyn and Gonville and Caius don’t have a ball on for this year! Also note that Girton has a Spring Ball, which is taking place on 17th March.
Now let’s go on to see the tickets and information for each of the 21 Cambridge colleges hosting May Balls in 2023!
Girton Spring Ball
Theme: Beyond the Skies
Girton Spring Ball tickets have officially sold out, but you can still join the waitlist via their website.
Girton students and Girton alumni: £135
Tickets for externals: £150
Homerton May Ball
Theme: Eclipse
The initial ticket release for Homerton students has sold out, but the general ticket release is on 1st March at 6 pm on their website.
Homerton students: £135
General release: £150
Robinson May Ball
Theme: Disorderly Conduct
The cheaper early bird release for Robinson students has sold out, but general tickets are still available to purchase.
Robinson, Newnham, and Selwyn students: £135 (+ £3.88 booking fee)
Uni of Cambridge students: £140 (+£4 booking fee)
Sidney Sussex June Event
Theme: Dimensions
Tickets are currently available via their website.
Sidney member: £79.50
Guests: £89.50
Pembroke May Ball
Theme: Nautilus – Into The Depths
Pembroke release is open and tickets can be purchased on their website. General release is on 8th March at 11 am.
Pembroke ticket: £133
Standard ticket: £175

Well… the theme’s been released now, wonder if this person is impressed? (Image credits: Facebook @Pempreciation)
Hughes Hall May Ball
Theme: City of Stars
Tickets go on sale Friday 10th March at 12 pm on their website. It is likely Hughes Hall will also offer discounted bursary tickets, although ticket prices have not been confirmed.
Murray Edwards Garden Party
Theme: Medwards in Wonderland
Tickets are currently on sale for members, and tickets for non-members release on 4th March.
Member tickets – Medwards / New Hall College students: £62
Non-member guest tickets: £72.50
Emmanuel May Event
Theme: Where Lyrics Come to Life
Emma’s May Event has now completely sold out however you can join their waiting list via their website.
Emma student: £110
Non-Emma student: £130
Jesus May Ball
Theme: Bloom
Jesus tickets have now also sold out, however here are the prices in case you are looking for how much they should be going for on resale! You can also join the waiting list on their website.
Internal tickets: £175
External tickets: £190
Trinity May Ball
Trinity May Ball works via applications online. The ticketing window to apply for tickets has now closed, however, the prices are as follows (tickets are only sold in ‘doubles’, which are pairs of tickets):
Trinity students: One double for £410, a second double for £485
University of Cambridge members: Can buy one external double for £485

Hefty price tag, but is it worth it? (Image credits: Holly Sheridan)
Clare May Event
Theme: unreleased (but rumour says that it might be something to do with Murder Mystery)
Clare students and guest ticket release will take place on 8th March.
Clare students: £99
Guests £140
Downing May Ball
Theme: Regency and Revelry
Tickets were released for downing students on 16th February, and were released for all students on 23rd February, and there are still some tickets left!
Student: £179
Non-student: £182
St John’s May Ball
John’s May Ball ticket applications closed for John’s students and guest applications on 12th February, but are now being released for external students at Cambridge – the first release on 28th February at 6 pm, the second release on 4th March at 8 am. Tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.
John’s students: £210
Guests and students from other colleges: £260
Queens’ May Ball
Tickets for Queens’ May Ball have now sold out.
Queens’ student: £185
Queens’ guest: £195
Newnham Garden Party
Theme: Last Days of Athens
Newnham garden party tickets have been released and are available to purchase online now.
£50 including alcohol
£45 no alcohol
Magdalene May Ball
Magdalene tickets are still on sale and can be purchased via their website.
Magdalene students: £195
Other students and guests: £235

We can all dream! (Image credits: Facebook @Magdfess)
The King’s Affair
Theme: Carnivalesque
Ticket reservation for King’s students has now closed. The general release will be on 2nd March at 4 pm.
King’s member: £99
Guest/ non-King’s students: £135
Trinity Hall June Event
Theme: Reverie
Tickets drop at 5 pm on 1st March on their website.
Standard tickets: £99 (open to all students)
Corpus Christi May Ball
Theme: All the World’s a Stage
Tickets are out now via their website.
Corpus students: £170
Corpus guest and standard Cambridge student tickets: £180
Standard Cambridge student guests: £190
Darwin May Ball
Theme: Will be released at launch on 18th March
Tickets release to be confirmed.
Wolfson May Ball
Theme: an Eclectic Carnival of RetroFuturism
Tickets have been released in waves, the general release is on Thursday 28th February at 7 pm.
Standard Wolfson student tickets: £130
Guests: £130
Colleges with discounted ticket rates
The following colleges also offer discounted tickets for bursary/class act students:
Homerton: Tickets for bursary students at Homerton cost £100
Sidney Sussex: Sidney Class Act students can purchase a ticket for £39.50
Jesus: Tickets for bursary students at Jesus cost £85
Trinity: Bursary students at Trinity can apply for a double ticket for £360
Clare: Clare bursary tickets will cost £50
Downing: Full bursary downing student tickets – £90, full bursary non-Downing student tickets – £135
Newnham: £40 for bursary students
Magdalene: Magdalene bursary students are able to buy a ticket at discounted price
Pembroke: Bursary students at Pembroke may buy a ticket for £96
Kings: Bursary student tickets for kings students cost £79.20
Wolfson: Tickets for bursary students at Wolfson cost £85

Image credits: Holly Sheridan
Alas, all the information you hopefully need to know about Cambridge May Ball tickets and their prices in 2023! Price tags can be pretty hefty (*cough*cough* Trinity and St John’s). But don’t forget you can also apply to work at May Balls, and join your college May Ball committee for a chance to swap with other colleges’ balls for highly discounted rates!
Feature image credits: Holly Sheridan
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