As the sun rose over the dreaming spires of Oxford, a trail of glamorous but sleepy students were spotted making their way home after an unforgettable night.
The annual May Ball at Balliol College had wrapped up just before dawn, but the party spirit lingered in the streets long after the music stopped.
Oxford students, dressed to the nines in ball gowns, tuxedos, and masquerade masks, had spent the night dancing, eating, and celebrating under the romantic theme of “Star Crossed Lovers.”
From silent discos to techno rave rooms, it was a night that mixed tradition with pure fun.
After-Party Wanderers and Midnight Snacks on Historic Streets
By 4am, those who had made it through the night posed for the classic “survivor’s photo” before beginning the long, slightly wobbly journey home.
Some walked barefoot with heels in hand, while others hitched rides on friends’ shoulders or wheeled wagons full of leftover beer down cobbled streets.
One group, clearly peckish after the festivities, was seen snacking on sandwiches in the early light.
Another reveller, hilariously still holding a croquet mallet, helped steer a cart full of drinks.
There were even a few who opted to cycle home, still smiling and waving as they pedaled past the cameras.
Music, Masquerades, and Moonlight: A Night to Remember
Excitement had built early in the evening as students in masquerade masks lined up along Broad Street, eager to get inside.
Once the gates opened, they were treated to a headlining performance by Toploader, the early 2000s band best known for their hit “Dancing in the Moonlight.”
Inside, the event was a full-scale spectacle. There were glowing strobes lighting up courtyards, multiple stages, dancers, and a buzzing rave room.
Drone shots captured the campus transformed into something more like a summer festival than a traditional university ball.
Pricey Tickets and a Taste of Tradition at Oxford
The Balliol May Ball, one of the most prestigious of its kind, didn’t come cheap.
Alumni could snap up tickets for £165, which included unlimited food, drinks, and entertainment throughout the night.
It’s a price many seemed willing to pay for a night of nostalgia and indulgence.
The college, founded in 1263 and known for producing political figures like Boris Johnson and Rory Stewart, still holds tightly to its traditions, even as student life evolves.
Cambridge Colleges Reconsider the Cost of Celebration
While Oxford went all out, Cambridge has taken a slightly different approach.
With rising costs and pressure to be more inclusive, some of its colleges have opted to scrap the traditional May Ball altogether.
Robinson College recently announced it was replacing its annual event—which had previously cost as much as £270 per ticket—with a more affordable “mega bop” in June.
The new event will keep the original “film noir” theme but at a fraction of the cost and open to more undergraduates.
Making Fun More Affordable for All Students
The decision to move away from extravagant balls wasn’t made lightly.
According to the Robinson College committee, the cost of organizing such events had become unsustainable.
Lower ticket sales and increasing living expenses among students pushed them to think differently.
In a statement, the committee explained they wanted to create an event that felt more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Their new party format, they hope, will attract more students and keep the spirit of celebration alive without the financial strain.