Skip to content
Photos show the aftermath of Cambridge’s May Ball where guests pay at least £360 a ticket
Dressed in elegant ball gowns and black tie, students of the prestigious Cambridge University made their way home after a night of partying to celebrate the end of their exams.
Although each college has a different May Ball, last night (June 19) was Trinity College’s turn.
The annual Trinity May Ball, a tradition dating back 157 years, was held on Monday night and boasted what organisers called an “unrivalled showcase of revelry”.
There was “unlimited food and drink, a stunning fireworks display, and a myriad of entertainments from chart-topping stars to world-class comedians to the finest classical and jazz musicians”, the event’s website said.
Read more: Quiet Norfolk seaside 2 hours from Cambridge named as one of the best beaches in the UK that could be abroad
Guests, who paid at least £360 for a sought-after double ticket, made their way home through the city’s streets as the sun rose this morning and they were captured maybe looking a little hungover and very tired.
The ball has been held every year since 1866 and, despite now taking place in June, they are still called the May Balls as that is when they were originally held. The “only acceptable attire” for the Trinity May Ball is “traditional black tie, white tie or formal national dress”.
In ball gowns and a black suit, you can just tell that these students had the night of their lives as they return home in the morning
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)Champagne still in hand, these students were living it up in the water after a whole night of dancing
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)Time to go home and sleep all day! Morning after the May Ball
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)Looking really dapper in a full tux for the May Ball in Cambridge
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)This clever student on his way home after the May Ball brought his bike but is probably to tired to ride it after dancing all night
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)The crowds are returning home to their beds
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)Smile for the camera! These two seemed to have had a great night
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)Happy students from Cambridge University make their way home after celebrating the end of the academic year at the Trinity May Ball at Cambridge University’s Trinity College
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)The flowers are quite rightly coming home with them after the May Ball
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)What they have come home from: There’s no way you can celebrate the end of exams in Cambridge without taking part in the greatest Cambridge tradition – punting!
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)The firework display over the River Cam during the Trinity May Ball at Cambridge University’s Trinity College really set off the night with a bang!
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)Let’s spend some time in a little igloo and then go dancing!
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)These students celebrated May ball the right way, on a punt with the fireworks still reflected on the water
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA)
