Cambridge University students marked the end of the academic year with the annual May Ball celebrations, with Emmanuel College hosting a "Putting on the Ritz" themed event that paid homage to the Roaring Twenties.
The event, which has a tradition stretching back almost two centuries to the 1830s, saw students dressed in tuxedos, suits, and flapper-era inspired satin dresses. The invitation for the Emmanuel College bash described a night of "clandestine glamour" with "hot jazz and cold gin," promising a "celebration of excess, elegance, and excitement" and transporting attendees to an era of "flappers and bootleggers."
Some students were seen continuing to drink past dawn, with many staggering home and resting on the grass as daylight broke. Dressed in formal attire, some students appeared to be in good spirits as they greeted the morning sun.
May Balls at Cambridge are a significant tradition, often originating from celebrations tied to the May Bumps, an annual rowing race on the River Cam. Tickets for these events can range from £100 to £500, with Emmanuel College's starting at £210.
In recent years, some Cambridge institutions have introduced alternatives to the traditional May Ball to offer more affordable options for students facing rising living costs. Robinson College, for instance, previously canceled its May Ball in favor of a "more accessible and inclusive" event. A spokesperson for Robinson's May Ball committee noted that rising costs and lower ticket sales had influenced the decision to change their event to a more accessible format.
However, the move to alter or cancel traditional May Balls has not been without criticism. Some students have expressed disappointment, arguing that abandoning established events limits access to a May Ball experience, even with more affordable alternatives.