
Formal Hall Dates
Formal Hall Dates for the 2025/26 academic year - Jump to:
Formal Halls FAQs
What are formals?
Formal Halls are fancy dinners (usually) held in the New Dining Hall. They are typically 3 courses (starter, main, dessert), with wine and soft drinks. There is usually an address by the Principal or presiding Fellow as appropriate. Semi Formals are the same but with 2 courses (main and dessert) and without wine or soft drinks, and are slightly cheaper. Formal Halls are entirely optional to attend.
When are formals and what time do they start?
Regular Formal Halls - Open to UG and PG students. They are every Tuesday in the Undergraduate 8 week term. There is no drinks reception and they begin at 7:30pm in the New Dining Hall.
Postgraduate Formal Halls - Open only to PG students. They are on some Friday (see exact dates below). There is a drinks reception in the Great Hall at 7pm and dinner is served in the New dining Hall at 7:30pm.
Special Formals - They can be held on other days but these are typically by invitation i.e. a subject or course specific formal dinner. The location and timing may vary.
Is there a dress code/do I have to wear a gown?
No, there is no dress code. Homerton does not require students to wear a gown and is accepting of gender diverse clothing and traditional dress. Most people opt for smart wear (usually suits or dresses) but there really is no restrictions apart from appropriate clothes in a public setting!
How much are tickets and can I bring guests?
Tickets costs £20 for Homerton students, and £24 for Guests. There is usually the option to book 2 guest tickets for a formal. For larger bookings you may ask others to book on your behalf or contact the MCR for assistance.
How do I book tickets?
Tickets can be booked on the UPay app and will typically come out 8 days in advance at 6pm, e.g. for a Tuesday formal on 30 April, tickets will be available at 6pm on Monday 22 April. Note that this is typical and can vary for some formals, always check UPay for exact details. Make sure to be there on time to book (and with credit on your UPay account!) as tickets typically sell out very fast! If you don’t manage to get a ticket, there are sometimes people selling them on the MCR chat.
How do I specify dietary requirements?
Dietary requirements can be entered on UPay at the time of booking and it is best to get this right at the time as it is a hassle for catering to change the requirements on the day! But if you really need to change requirements, you can email catering@homerton.cam.ac.uk to explain the change.
The dates below are correct at time of writing for Michaelmas Term 2025, please always check UPay for the most up to date information! *Themed formals are denoted with an asterisk.
Michaelmas Term 2025/26 Formals
Wed 3rd Sept
MSt Matriculation Dinner
Tickets available by invitation only
Thu 18th Sept
PGCE Matriculation Dinner
Tickets available by invitation only
Tues 23rd Sept
MSt Matriculation Dinner (Entrepreneurship, AI Ethics)
Tickets available by invitation only
Tues 7th Oct
Undergraduate Matriculation Dinner
Tickets available by invitation only
Fri 10th Oct
Postgraduate Matriculation Dinner
Tickets available by invitation only
Tue 14th Oct
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 6th Oct
Menu
Thu 16th Oct
Black History Month Dinner
Tickets available by invitation only
Tues 21st Oct
Foundation Formal Hall
Tickets available by invitation & booking: 13th Oct
Wed 22nd Oct
Research Supper
Tickets available: tbc
Tues 28th Oct
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 20th Oct
Menu
Thu 30th Oct
Semi Formal
Tickets available: tbc
Menu
*Fri 31st Oct
Themed Postgraduate Formal Hall
(Theme: Halloween)
Tickets available: 23rd Oct
*Tues 4th Nov
Themed Formal Hall
(Theme: Halloween)
Tickets available: 27th Oct
Thu 6th Nov
Semi Formal
Tickets available: tbc
Menu
*Tue 18th Nov
Themed Formal Hall
Tickets available: 10th Nov
Menu
Wed 19th Nov
Research Supper
Tickets available: tbc
Tue 25th Nov
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 17th Nov
Menu
Fri 28th Nov
Postgraduate Formal Hall
Tickets available: 20th Nov
Menu
*Tue 2nd Dec
Christmas Formal Hall
Tickets available: 24th Nov
Menu
*Wed 3rd Dec
Christmas Formal Hall
Tickets available: 25th Nov
Menu
*Fri 5th Dec
Postgraduate Christmas Formal Hall
Tickets available: 27th Nov
Menu
*Tue 9th Dec
Postgraduate Christmas Formal Hall
Tickets available: 1st Dec
Menu
Lent Term 2025/26 Formals
Fri 23rd Jan
Postgraduate Formal Hall
Tickets available: 15th Jan
*Tues 27th Jan
Themed Formal Hall
(Theme: tbc)
Tickets available: 19th Jan
Wed 28th Jan
Research Supper
Tickets available: tbc
Tues 3rd Feb
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 26th Jan
Menu
Thu 29th Jan
Semi Formal
Tickets available: 21st Jan
Menu
*Tue 10th Feb
Themed Formal Hall
(Theme: Lunar New Year)
Tickets available: tbc
Thu 12th Feb
Undergraduate Halfway Hall
Tickets available by invitation only
Menu
*Fri 13th Feb
Themed Postgraduate Formal Hall
(Theme: tbc in the Great Hall)
Tickets available: 5th Feb
Tue 17th Feb
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 9th Feb
Menu
Thu 19th Feb
Semi Formal
Tickets available: 11th Feb
Menu
*Tue 24th Feb
Themed Formal Hall
(Theme: LGBTQ+ History Month)
Tickets available: 16th Feb
Wed 25th Feb
Research Supper
Tickets available: tbc
Fri 27th Feb
PGCE Lent Dinner
Tickets available by invitation only
Menu
Tue 3rd Mar
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 23rd Feb
Menu
Thu 5th Mar
Semi Formal
Tickets available: 25th Feb
Menu
*Tue 10th Mar
Themed Formal Hall
(Theme: International Women’s Day)
Tickets available: 2nd Mar
Wed 25th Mar
Research Supper
Tickets available: tbc
Menu
*Fri 13th Mar
Themed Postgraduate Formal Hall
(Theme: tbc)
Tickets available: 5th Mar
Fri 27th Mar
Postgraduate Formal Hall
Tickets available: 19th Mar
Menu
Tue 17th Mar
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 9th Mar
Menu
Tue 7th Apr
MSt Matriculation Dinner (Criminology & Penology)
Tickets available by invitation only
Menu
Fri 10th Apr
MA Graduation Dinner
Tickets available by invitation only
Menu
Easter Term 2025/26 Formals
Fri 1st May
Postgraduate Formal Hall
Tickets available: 23rd Apr
Menu
Tue 5th May
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 27th Apr
Menu
Tue 12th May
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 4th May
Menu
Thu 14th May
Semi Formal
Tickets available: 6th May
Menu
Wed 13th May
Research Supper
Tickets available: tbc
Tue 19th May
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 11th May
Menu
Thu 21st May
Undergraduate DoS and Tutor Dinner
Tickets available by invitation only
Menu
Tue 26th May
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 18th May
Menu
*Tue 2nd Jun
Themed Formal Hall
(Theme: tbc)
Tickets available: 25th May
Wed 3rd Jun
Research Supper
Tickets available: tbc
Tue 9th Jun
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 16th Feb
Menu
*Fri 12th Jun
Themed Postgraduate Formal Hall
(Theme: tbc)
Tickets available: 4th Jun
Tue 16th Jun
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 8th Jun
Menu
Tue 23rd Jun
Formal Hall
Tickets available: 15th Jun
Menu
Wed 24th/Thu 25th Jun (tbc)
PGCE End of Year Dinner
Tickets available by invitation only
Menu
Fri 3rd Jul
Undergraduate Graduation Dinner
Tickets available by invitation only
Fri 24th Jul
Postgraduate Formal Hall
Tickets available: 16th Jul
Menu
Fri 21st Aug
Postgraduate Formal Hall
Tickets available: 13th Aug
Menu