Frequently Asked Questions
Arcadia, Land of Beauty
We are excited to announce the theme of the Magdalen Commemoration Ball 2026 is Arcadia, Land of Beauty.
‘An unknown land full of strange flowers and subtle perfumes, a land of which it is joy of all joys to dream, a land where all things are perfect and poisonous.’ - Oscar Wilde
Be ready for a dream incarnate of perfection and bliss, as our already beautiful Magdalen is transformed into a flourishing utopia of untouched natural splendour.
Commemoration Balls: Everything You Need To Know
Widely regarded as the most prestigious ball in the Oxford calendar, a Commemoration Ball is the largest of its kind, held triennially by different colleges each year. Traditionally, the title was held by Oxford's three Choral Foundations: Magdalen, New and Christ Church.
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Magdalen's 2026 Ball will be held on June 27 - in the 9th Week of Trinity Term - and has previously been hailed one of the best parties to attend worldwide. The dress code is white tie, that is, a full-length ball gown with evening gloves, or a tailcoat, dress shirt, waistcoat, wing collar and a white bow tie. We will be working with local retailers to provide a discount for any Magdalen ball attendees, and will share details of these when we have confirmed them.
Access
We hope that the Student Support Fund model provides enough financial support for those who need it, and to help for the deficit that these ball tickets will make to the fund, we will be donating any leftover proceeds from the ball back into it. However, we understand that some people may be anxious about buying a ticket before the results of applications have been released, and will therefore be holding back a number of tickets until this happens to make sure no one misses out on ticket sales.
Welfare and Accessibility
The ball may potentially become an overwhelming event for some people, though we are determined to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy themselves. As well as several quieter areas around college, there will be a designated Welfare Room in case of any more serious issues. We will also be implementing an ‘Ask for Angela’ policy across the site, will have roaming Sub-Deans to assist with welfare, and will have drink covers on hand.
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We would like to make use of as much of Magdalen’s beautiful grounds as possible on the night, while also ensuring that we make them as accessible as possible. To help with this, we will be consulting the relevant Disability Reps about our site plan and making changes where necessary and possible. If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility or welfare at the ball contact Isabella at hse@magdalenball.com.
Out of Residence Students
Anyone who is rusticated/suspended for the period that includes the ball (whether it is the case now or happens later in the year) is classed as ‘Out of Residence’. These students fall under the class of ‘current members’ and will be able to purchase these tickets but will need to email the Senior Dean to ask permission to attend. This will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Ideally, permission should be obtained before a ticket is bought, but it will be possible to apply retrospectively (for example, if someone buys a ticket in Michaelmas and then rusticates in Trinity). All students should note that the final list of attendees will be reviewed by the Senior Dean, and anyone’s attendance is subject to his decision.
Catering
The Catering team is working hard to put together a delicious array of food and drink for the night. We are committed to providing for a range of dietary requirements, and will have vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options. We will also make sure any allergens are listed clearly before and during the night, and that all caterers are aware of these when distributing food.
Additionally, we understand that balls can feel unsuited for people who don’t drink and so we have been exploring alternatives from non-alcoholic champagne to mocktails to fresh juice, and will be spending a proportional amount of the budget on non-alcoholic options so we hope that everyone will be able to join in on the excitement of the night. If you have any questions or concerns about catering, please contact Caitlyn and Ivan at catering@magdalenball.com.