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

-> Jump to Lent -> Jump to Easter

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

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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

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Thu 30th Oct

Semi Formal

Tickets available: tbc

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*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

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*Tue 18th Nov

Themed Formal Hall

Tickets available: 10th Nov

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Wed 19th Nov

Research Supper

Tickets available: tbc

Tue 25th Nov

Formal Hall

Tickets available: 17th Nov

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Fri 28th Nov

Postgraduate Formal Hall

Tickets available: 20th Nov

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*Tue 2nd Dec

Christmas Formal Hall

Tickets available: 24th Nov

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*Wed 3rd Dec

Christmas Formal Hall

Tickets available: 25th Nov

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*Fri 5th Dec

Postgraduate Christmas Formal Hall

Tickets available: 27th Nov

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*Tue 9th Dec

Postgraduate Christmas Formal Hall

Tickets available: 1st Dec

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Lent Term 2025/26 Formals

<- Back to Michaelmas -> Jump to Easter

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

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Thu 29th Jan

Semi Formal

Tickets available: 21st Jan

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*Tue 10th Feb

Themed Formal Hall

(Theme: Lunar New Year)

Tickets available: tbc

Thu 12th Feb

Undergraduate Halfway Hall

Tickets available by invitation only

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*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

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Thu 19th Feb

Semi Formal

Tickets available: 11th Feb

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*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

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Tue 3rd Mar

Formal Hall

Tickets available: 23rd Feb

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Thu 5th Mar

Semi Formal

Tickets available: 25th Feb

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*Tue 10th Mar

Themed Formal Hall

(Theme: International Women’s Day)

Tickets available: 2nd Mar

Wed 25th Mar

Research Supper

Tickets available: tbc

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*Fri 13th Mar

Themed Postgraduate Formal Hall

(Theme: tbc)

Tickets available: 5th Mar

Fri 27th Mar

Postgraduate Formal Hall

Tickets available: 19th Mar

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Tue 17th Mar

Formal Hall

Tickets available: 9th Mar

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Tue 7th Apr

MSt Matriculation Dinner (Criminology & Penology)

Tickets available by invitation only

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Fri 10th Apr

MA Graduation Dinner

Tickets available by invitation only

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Easter Term 2025/26 Formals

<- Back to Michaelmas <-Back to Lent

Fri 1st May

Postgraduate Formal Hall

Tickets available: 23rd Apr

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Tue 5th May

Formal Hall

Tickets available: 27th Apr

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Tue 12th May

Formal Hall

Tickets available: 4th May

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Thu 14th May

Semi Formal

Tickets available: 6th May

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Wed 13th May

Research Supper

Tickets available: tbc

Tue 19th May

Formal Hall

Tickets available: 11th May

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Thu 21st May

Undergraduate DoS and Tutor Dinner

Tickets available by invitation only

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Tue 26th May

Formal Hall

Tickets available: 18th May

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*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

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*Fri 12th Jun

Themed Postgraduate Formal Hall

(Theme: tbc)

Tickets available: 4th Jun

Tue 16th Jun

Formal Hall

Tickets available: 8th Jun

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Tue 23rd Jun

Formal Hall

Tickets available: 15th Jun

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Wed 24th/Thu 25th Jun (tbc)

PGCE End of Year Dinner

Tickets available by invitation only

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Fri 3rd Jul

Undergraduate Graduation Dinner

Tickets available by invitation only

Fri 24th Jul

Postgraduate Formal Hall

Tickets available: 16th Jul

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Fri 21st Aug

Postgraduate Formal Hall

Tickets available: 13th Aug

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