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May Week

May Week is a traditional period of festivities at the University of Cambridge, marking the conclusion of the academic year at the end of the Easter Term, typically spanning two weeks in June despite its name originating from an earlier timing in May.^[1]^[2] This event, which began in the actual month of May before shifting to post-exams in 1882 due to calendar changes, serves as a jubilant release after final examinations, encompassing intercollegiate rowing competitions and elaborate social gatherings.^[2] Central to May Week are the May Bumps, a four-day series of bumping races held on the River Cam, where college crews in traditional boats compete to "bump" the crew ahead by overtaking them within a set distance, with crews starting near Baitsbite Lock and fostering intense rivalries among the university's rowing clubs.^[1] Complementing these athletic highlights are the May Balls, black-tie extravaganzas hosted by individual colleges on the first night of May Week—such as the first Monday in June—featuring all-night entertainment with live music, gourmet dining, champagne, and spectacular fireworks visible to the public, with the inaugural ball occurring at Sidney Sussex College in 1894.^[2]^[1] Some colleges opt for more subdued June Events, like King's College's "Affair" with themed fancy dress, providing alternatives to the grandeur of full May Balls.^[1] Over time, May Week has evolved to reflect broader cultural and societal shifts, incorporating elements like sustainable practices in events—such as Darwin College's 2023 plant-based menu and recycling initiatives—and charitable initiatives, including the 2019 May Week Alternative that donated proceeds from £150 tickets to the Against Malaria Foundation.^[2] Despite challenges like event cancellations in 2025 due to financial pressures at colleges including Clare and Emmanuel, the tradition persists as a cornerstone of Cambridge student life, blending historical pageantry with modern exuberance.^[3]^[2]

Overview

Definition and Purpose

May Week is a two-week period of festivities at the University of Cambridge, marking the culmination of the academic year with a series of celebratory events. Originally scheduled in May, it now takes place in mid-June due to a late 19th-century adjustment aligning it with the end of Easter Term examinations, though the name has remained unchanged.^[4]^[2] The primary purpose of May Week is to commemorate the completion of exams, strengthen bonds within college and university communities, and facilitate a joyful shift to summer vacation through structured social and recreational activities.^[2]^[5] This tradition underscores the university's emphasis on balancing intense scholarly pursuits with communal exuberance, serving as a vital outlet for students after the rigors of term.^[2] Participation in May Week encompasses undergraduates and postgraduates from every college, with events designed to be inclusive for the entire university community.^[6] It holds a prominent cultural position as an emblem of Cambridge's distinctive heritage, frequently hailed as the pinnacle of the academic year's social highlights.^[2]

Timing and Duration

May Week was originally scheduled in early May, coinciding with the period immediately preceding final examinations, a practice that persisted until the late 19th century.^[2] This timing aligned with the academic calendar before adjustments that repositioned year-end exams to late May and early June.^[2] In 1882, the event was rescheduled to occur after examinations concluded, shifting it permanently to June despite retaining its historical name.^[2] This change accommodated fixed examination periods, ensuring celebrations followed the academic year's demands rather than preceding them.^[2] Today, May Week typically spans two weeks in mid- to late June, beginning shortly after the end of full term and examinations.^[7]^[2] The first week centers on rowing activities, including the May Bumps races conducted over four days from Wednesday to Saturday, while the second week emphasizes social events such as garden parties and balls, held on various evenings.^[8] Since 1882, the entirety of May Week has fallen within June, reflecting the enduring impact of standardized exam scheduling.^[2]

Historical Development

Origins in the 19th Century

May Week originated in the early 19th century at the University of Cambridge as a period of informal revelries among students, emerging in the 1820s and 1840s to mark the spring season and provide a celebratory prelude to the demanding final examinations.^[2]^[9] Initially held in May, these gatherings served as a vital morale booster during an era of intense academic rigor, reflecting the university's evolving social customs influenced by Regency-era practices of communal picnics and balls.^[2] The core of these early celebrations revolved around boating excursions on the River Cam, including garden parties along the riverbanks that fostered camaraderie among undergraduates.^[2] Bumping races originated in 1827 with the first organized event in Lent term, initiated by a local boatman named Bowtell due to the river's narrow confines that precluded traditional side-by-side competitions.^[10] This format, where crews aimed to "bump" the boat ahead to advance in the order, evolved rapidly. The May Bumps, specifically tied to May Week, began in 1887 upon separation from the Lent Bumps.^[10] The 19th-century origins laid the essential foundation for May Week's subsequent transformations into a more structured university spectacle, blending athletic competition with social leisure.

Evolution and Key Changes

In the late 19th century, May Week underwent a significant transformation when it was rescheduled from May to June in 1882, aligning it with the end of the academic term rather than the period preceding examinations. This shift, prompted by changes in the university's exam calendar, converted the event from a pre-exam diversion into a celebratory release following the stresses of finals, while retaining its original nomenclature. Building on its 19th-century origins as a boating-focused tradition, this adjustment emphasized post-academic revelry and set the stage for further expansions. The establishment of the May Bumps in 1887 formalized the rowing competitions as a cornerstone of the now post-exam May Week.^[2]^[11] During the 20th century, May Week evolved through the formalization and proliferation of May Balls, which began appearing in the 1830s as elaborate black-tie affairs featuring live music, dining, and entertainment to mark the year's conclusion. For instance, Peterhouse hosted its inaugural May Ball in 1892, replacing a traditional concert and signaling a trend toward more structured social events across colleges. To accommodate institutions not mounting full May Balls, June Events emerged as shorter, more accessible alternatives, often lasting a few hours with themed entertainment and lower costs, broadening participation beyond elite gatherings. The period was disrupted by global conflicts, with rowing competitions like the May Bumps suspended during World War I (1915–1919) and World War II (1940–1945) due to resource shortages and national priorities, temporarily halting the week's core activities.^[2]^[12]^[13] Post-World War II, May Week experienced growth in scale and accessibility, driven by rising student numbers and societal emphasis on inclusivity, leading to increased commercialization through sponsorships and professional production. Garden parties, as daytime alternatives to overnight balls, gained prominence by the 1960s, offering casual outdoor socializing with music and refreshments at colleges like Newnham and Robinson, thus diversifying options for attendees seeking less formal celebrations.^[2] In the 21st century, technological and health-related adaptations have modernized May Week, including the adoption of digital ticketing platforms in the 2010s to streamline sales and access control for balls, reducing queues and enabling broader distribution via online portals. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted further innovation in 2020, when in-person events were canceled, replaced by virtual elements such as online concerts and fundraising initiatives under campaigns like "May Week Online" to maintain community spirit while adhering to restrictions.^[14]^[2]^[6]

Rowing Competitions

May Bumps

The May Bumps are a series of head-to-tail rowing races held annually on the River Cam in Cambridge, England, where college boat club crews, including those in men's, women's, and lightweight categories, compete in divisions.^[15] In this format, which evolved in the 1820s due to the Cam's narrow course preventing side-by-side racing, up to 18 crews per division line up bow to stern at intervals of approximately 90 feet (about 1.5 boat lengths), starting between Baits Bite Lock and the top of First Post Reach and racing upstream toward Chesterton, passing landmarks such as Grassy Corner and Ditton Corner.^[15] The objective is for each crew to "bump"—physically catch and touch—the boat immediately ahead, after which both crews stop rowing, allowing the bumping crew to advance one position in the order while the bumped crew drops one.^[16] If a crew bumps before being overtaken itself, it secures its gain; otherwise, it may be bumped by the crew behind.^[15] Umpires in motorboats enforce rules, such as signaling a bump via a white flag to prevent collisions, and crews must yield if rowed over to avoid penalties.^[17] The races occur over four consecutive days, typically from Wednesday to Saturday in mid-June, aligning with the first week of May Week following the end of university examinations.^[18] Divisions start racing in sequence every 10-15 minutes, beginning around 2:00 PM on weekdays and earlier on Saturday, with the full event involving around 10 divisions in total (split between men's and women's), accommodating over 150 crews and roughly 1,200 rowers.^[15] The starting order for each year's May Bumps is determined by the finishing positions from the previous year's races, creating a continuous progression of rankings.^[15] There is no single overall winner in the May Bumps; instead, success is measured by the number of positions a crew advances (or avoids dropping) over the four days.^[16] Crews that bump up at least four positions during the week are awarded "blades," which are oars elaborately painted or decorated by the college to commemorate the achievement and displayed in clubhouses.^[15] The crew finishing at the head of the first men's division (M1) claims the Men's Head of the River title, while the top women's crew secures the Women's Headship; these headships are prestigious honors tracked in historical records, with colleges like Trinity and Jesus holding multiple titles over the years.^[10] Additional recognition, such as the Pegasus Cup for the most successful boat club overall, underscores team contributions across divisions.^[18] Bumps racing on the Cam dates back to 1827, when the Cambridge University Boat Club organized the first such event shortly after its founding, adapting the format from earlier trials at Eton and Oxford.^[19] The May Bumps emerged as a distinct series in 1887, separating from the earlier combined spring races to coincide with the post-exam celebrations of May Week.^[10] This timing fosters intense inter-college rivalry, as crews train rigorously during term to peak after exams, emphasizing physical endurance, strategy, and teamwork in a high-stakes environment where a single day's performance can alter a crew's legacy.^[16] The event draws large crowds along the banks, with supporters following by bicycle or foot, amplifying its role in Cambridge's rowing culture.^[20] As part of the university's broader rowing traditions, the May Bumps exemplify the sport's emphasis on collegiate competition.^[15]

Cardboard Boat Race

The Cardboard Boat Race is an informal, lighthearted event during May Week at the University of Cambridge, where students construct and race boats made primarily from cardboard.^[21] It originated in 2010, initiated by students from Magdalene College who launched the first race with just three boats: The Galleon, The Canoe, and Skippy.^[21] The event quickly gained popularity as a fun alternative to more formal rowing competitions, emphasizing creativity and camaraderie over athletic prowess.^[22] In its format, teams build boats using cardboard, PVA glue, and gaffer tape, with paddles sometimes improvised from items like dinner trays; non-structural decorations are permitted to enhance designs.^[21]^[22] The race takes place on the River Cam, typically starting from Jesus Green and heading toward Magdalene Beach, involving short distances that often end in humorous sinkings.^[21] Originally limited to Magdalene participants, it opened to students from all Cambridge colleges in 2011, leading to growing participation—up to 60 teams in recent years.^[21]^[22] Safety rules require participants to wear shoes and follow disposal guidelines for soggy materials, with the focus on enjoyment rather than speed.^[22] Prizes are awarded in categories that highlight ingenuity, including the fastest boat, the longest-lasting (measuring furthest distance before sinking), and the best-looking design, often symbolized by a cardboard trophy and a bottle of Prosecco.^[22] Held annually on Suicide Sunday—the first Sunday after exams conclude—the race serves to inject levity into post-examination relief, drawing large crowds of students and spectators along the riverbanks as part of broader May Week festivities.^[21]^[23] Despite occasional interruptions, such as pandemic cancellations from 2020 to 2021 and an insurance-related halt in 2023, it remains a cherished tradition.^[24]^[25]

May Balls

May Balls are elaborate black-tie or white-tie galas hosted by individual colleges of the University of Cambridge during the final nights of May Week, serving as the social pinnacle of the week's celebrations. These events feature fine dining, live performances, diverse entertainment options, and often culminate in spectacular fireworks displays, providing students an opportunity to mark the end of the academic year in opulent style. Typically commencing around 9 PM and extending until dawn, the balls transform historic college grounds into vibrant venues filled with marquees, stages, and themed installations.^[2]^[26]^[27] The tradition traces its origins to the 19th century, with the first recorded May Ball held at Trinity College in 1866, organized by the First and Third Trinity Boat Club to celebrate rowing victories and exam completions. By the late 1800s, the practice had spread across colleges, as seen with St John's inaugural ball in 1888, evolving from modest gatherings into highly anticipated extravaganzas. Colleges host these events on a rotating basis, often every one to two years to alternate with less formal June Events, ensuring broad participation while managing costs. Ticket prices generally range from £200 to £400 per person as of 2025, reflecting the scale and luxury involved, with each ball drawing 1,000 to 2,500 attendees including students, alumni, and guests. In 2025, however, several May Balls faced cancellation due to financial pressures and low ticket sales, including those at Clare and Robinson colleges.^[28]^[27]^[3]^[29]^[26] Key features include unlimited food and drink stations offering multi-course meals, champagne receptions, and international cuisines, alongside entertainment such as chart-topping live bands, comedians, jazz ensembles, casinos, and fairground rides. For instance, past events have incorporated innovative elements like mini river punts or sustainable plant-based menus, while fireworks remain a hallmark, especially at Trinity. These balls are viewed as a prestigious rite of passage, symbolizing academic achievement and social bonding, with Trinity and St John's particularly celebrated for their grandeur and meticulous production.^[2]^[30]^[26]^[27]^[29] Such nighttime galas complement the daytime garden parties and other social events of May Week, rounding out the week's festivities.^[2]

Garden Parties and June Events

Garden parties form a key part of the daytime social scene during the second week of May Week, offering students a relaxed opportunity to unwind following the intense rowing competitions of the preceding days.^[1] These events typically involve casual picnics and barbecues hosted in the picturesque gardens of Cambridge colleges, featuring live music, sports activities, and light refreshments.^[31] Colleges such as Newnham, Robinson, and Murray Edwards organize these gatherings, which emphasize informal mingling and enjoyment of the summer weather on college lawns.^[2] June events serve as smaller-scale alternatives to the more elaborate May Balls, particularly for colleges that alternate hosting duties year-on-year to manage costs and resources.^[1] These low-key celebrations include themed parties, quizzes, and outdoor activities like punting trips or comedy nights, providing entertainment such as alternative music and fancy dress options.^[1] For instance, King's College's "King’s Affair" exemplifies this format with its focus on casual socializing and diverse performances.^[1] Events vary by college but consistently promote cross-college interactions among attendees. Both garden parties and June events prioritize accessibility, being more affordable than formal balls with tickets typically £40 to £70 as of 2025 and open invitations extending to friends and family.^[2]^[3] This inclusivity fosters a broader sense of community, allowing participants to relax in a less structured environment post-exams and bumps races.^[31] Examples of activities include face painting, bouncy castles, and ample provisions of food and drink, all designed to celebrate the end of the academic year without the extravagance of nighttime extravaganzas.^[31]

Traditions and Controversies

Suicide Sunday

Suicide Sunday refers to the Sunday immediately following the conclusion of Cambridge University's Easter Term examinations, marking the onset of May Week celebrations. This day, typically occurring in early June despite the event's name, embodies a transition from academic pressure to festivity, with the moniker originating as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the heightened stress students face amid post-exam relief and anticipation of results, released several weeks later in mid-July.^[32]^[33] The day's activities center on exuberant partying, including all-night events that spill into Sunday morning, often involving heavy alcohol consumption among students dressed in extravagant costumes. These gatherings, hosted by college drinking societies, feature garden parties and riverside revelry along the Cam, contributing to an atmosphere of uninhibited release after weeks of intense study. Historically, the name has been used ironically to celebrate surviving the exam period, though it has drawn criticism for trivializing mental health issues; anecdotal reports highlight widespread exhaustion from the preceding celebrations.^[32]^[34]^[35] Amid the blend of euphoria from completed exams and dread over impending results, traditions such as "bumping up" toasts from the May Bumps races extend into Suicide Sunday, amplifying the day's chaotic energy. The Cardboard Boat Race exemplifies this spirited yet precarious fun. Overall, the event underscores May Week's broader theme of cathartic revelry tempered by underlying vulnerabilities.^[32]^[36]^[33]

Renaming and Safety Initiatives

In 2015, the Cambridge Students' Union initiated a campaign to rename "Suicide Sunday" as "May Week Sunday," aiming to diminish the stigma attached to mental health challenges exacerbated by exam stress. Led by Jack Wright, the union's Welfare and Rights Officer, the effort emphasized that the longstanding moniker trivialized suicide, a concern underscored by surveys indicating that one in ten students experiences suicidal thoughts. This push sought to foster a more sensitive discourse around post-exam pressures, which have historically marked the day's traditions. Since the 2010s, the University of Cambridge has established guidelines promoting alcohol awareness and responsible consumption to safeguard student well-being during celebratory periods like May Week. Colleges enforce these through dedicated policies; for instance, St Catharine's College advocates weekly alcohol limits aligned with national recommendations and offers support for addressing problematic drinking patterns. Welfare officers, appointed by student unions and colleges, oversee events to monitor safety and provide immediate assistance, while the University Counselling Service ensures year-round access to professional counseling, including in the summer term following exams. Broader harm reduction efforts at May Balls include provisions like free water stations to counteract dehydration from alcohol intake. These measures respond to documented incidents of overdrinking, prompting university leaders to publicly condemn excessive behaviors and reinforce ethical standards among students. The renaming campaign has resulted in partial adoption, with "May Week Sunday" appearing in some official and media contexts, though the original term endures colloquially. Continued awareness drives link directly to the university's comprehensive mental health framework, enhancing overall support structures for students navigating May Week.

Modern Alternatives

May Week Alternative

May Week Alternative (MWA) is a student-led charity initiative established in 2018 by undergraduates George Rosenfeld and Areeg Emarah at the University of Cambridge to redirect the energy of post-exam celebrations toward philanthropic efforts, serving as a sober and impactful counterpart to the alcohol-focused revelry of traditional May Balls and garden parties.^[37]^[38] The organization's primary aims are to raise funds for the Against Malaria Foundation (AMF), a highly effective charity that distributes long-lasting insecticide-treated bednets to prevent malaria in vulnerable regions, while promoting a culture of ethical partying that emphasizes long-term societal benefits over transient excess.^[39]^[40] MWA encourages participants to make deliberate donations—recommending £150 per student but accepting any significant amount—with all proceeds directed to AMF, where each £3-£5 funds a bednet that can protect a family for up to three years.^[41] By framing giving as a celebratory act, MWA seeks to foster lifelong habits of effective altruism among students.^[42] Central to MWA's activities is the annual Mega Event, a collaborative gathering featuring live music, guest talks on philanthropy, charity auctions, and social activities that unite hundreds of students in a festive yet purposeful atmosphere.^[6] In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the event pivoted to a fully virtual format, streaming performances and discussions online to maintain engagement while adhering to restrictions.^[6] This adaptation did not hinder momentum; by 2021, MWA had cumulatively raised over £150,000, enabling the distribution of bednets estimated to protect approximately 180,000 people from malaria over their lifespan.^[43]^[38] MWA's fundraising chronology reflects rapid growth: in its inaugural year of 2018, around 40 participants raised £12,000 for AMF; this increased to £36,000 in 2019 with broader college involvement; and the 2020 virtual campaign achieved £110,000 through innovative online appeals and matched funding.^[40]^[44] The initiative has continued annually since, expanding to over 1,700 participants across multiple universities and surpassing £314,000 in total funds raised by 2025, with sustained emphasis on AMF's bednet programs.^[39]^[45]

Recent Challenges and Adaptations

In recent years, May Week celebrations in Cambridge have faced significant financial strains due to rising operational costs and declining ticket sales amid broader economic pressures. For instance, in 2025, Clare College cancelled its May Ball, Emmanuel College axed its June Event, Sidney Sussex College dropped its Garden Party, and Robinson College downsized its May Ball to a more affordable "mega bop," all citing insufficient revenue to cover expenses.^[46]^[3] These cancellations highlight how inflation, increased supplier fees, and student budget constraints have made traditional lavish events increasingly unsustainable for smaller colleges.^[47] The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these challenges, forcing a complete halt to in-person May Balls in 2020 and 2021, with events replaced by virtual formats to maintain some sense of celebration. In 2020, the University of Cambridge organized a live-streamed "Virtual May Week" on June 28, featuring online entertainment, performances, and community inspiration accessible to students at home.^[6] This shift accelerated the adoption of digital tools, including enhanced online ticketing systems that persisted post-pandemic to streamline sales and improve accessibility for remote participants.^[2] By 2022, balls resumed in person, but the experience informed ongoing adaptations like hybrid elements for broader inclusivity.^[48] Efforts to enhance inclusivity have also gained momentum, with expansions to include postgraduates and non-drinking options addressing criticisms of elitism and exclusion. Several colleges now offer tickets to all university members, including postgraduates, while garden parties and balls provide non-alcoholic packages at varying prices, such as Newnham's 2025 rates of £61 for non-alcohol versus £66 with alcohol.^[3] Environmental initiatives, coordinated through the Sustain-a-Ball project by the Cambridge University Environmental Consulting Society, have promoted sustainable practices since 2022, including waste reduction, ethical sourcing, and carbon offsetting; notable examples include Wolfson's third-place ranking in 2023 and Darwin College's Platinum accreditation for its low-impact 2023 ball.^[49]^[50]^[51] Looking ahead, debates center on the long-term viability of May Week amid persistent economic pressures and calls for greater sustainability, with some viewing alternatives like the May Week Alternative—building on charity models—as potential fillers for gaps left by scaled-back events.^[3]^[46]

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### Fundraising Totals for May Week Alternative
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[47]
Students lead charge to stop “extortionate” prices of Cambridge May ...
Apr 13, 2025 · Multiple colleges have cancelled or downsized their May Week events, many of which have run since the 1830s, including Emmanuel and Robinson, ...
[48]
Cambridge University students enjoy their first May Balls since ...
Jun 21, 2022 · The events were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Sustain-a-Ball Project – CUECS
Fed up with waste going to landfill? The college May Balls are the largest, most widely publicised and well-attended events in the university calendar.
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Wolfson's May Ball ranked as one of the most sustainable in ...
Jan 25, 2023 · The Wolfson May Ball team placed third among all Cambridge colleges in the latest Cambridge Sustain-a-Ball ranking – thanks to a host of new sustainability ...
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Will May Balls ever be sustainable? - Varsity
Apr 30, 2024 · According to Vanmarcke, investing in reusable crockery is a “big risk” due to the sheer quantity required for an event with over 3,000 guests, ...