For the first time in seven years, we invite you to join us for a night of woodland revelry.
We’re delighted to announce that the beautiful photographers taken by our wonderful photographers are finally available! The link is in our bio, or can be found in your inbox.
Thank you Flora and Adam for these amazing shots. I hope you all enjoy looking through them and reminiscing.
‘Til next time.
Magdalen Ball Committee 2023
We’re delighted to announce that the beautiful photographers taken by our wonderful photographers are finally available! The link is in our bio, or can be found in your inbox.
Thank you Faye for these amazing shots. I hope you all enjoy looking through them and reminiscing.
‘Til next time.
Magdalen Ball Committee 2023
We’re delighted to announce that the beautiful photographers taken by our wonderful photographers are finally available! The link is in our bio, or can be found in your inbox.
Thank you Izzy and Owen for these amazing shots. I hope you all enjoy looking through them and reminiscing.
‘Til next time.
Magdalen Ball Committee 2023
Dizzy yourself on the dodgems and whirl round and round on the wave swingers to top off the summertime celebration…
Entertainment
Fairground: 10pm - 4am
The Deer have disappeared for one night (and one night only!) to make way for our Forest Fairground, where you’ll find dodgems and wave swingers.
Misc:
Last but not certainly least, Grove Deer Park is also where you’ll find our guest toilets!
Watch the forest come into flower as you wander between Cloisters and New Building’s Lawns, where you’ll experience Narnia at the height of summer…
Music:
Holly Hart: 8pm - 9pm.
An exquisite harpist to immerse you in a Narnian summertime.
Gorenberg Sextet: 10pm - 11pm
A wonderful jazz six-piece to welcome nightfall and fuel the night’s festivities.”
Entertainment:
Casino: 10pm - 4am
Stumble upon our Greenwood Games House, and have a go at blackjack, roulette, Caribbean stud poker and Texas hold’em.
Fireworks: 10:30pm - 10:35pm
Wind your way to New Buildings Lawns to witness the peak of our summertime celebration over the Water Meadow. Please note, this time is approximate and may change on the night.
Sh**ha: 9pm-4am
Take a break in the Centaurs’ Sh**ha Lounge. Electronic vapours & ni****ne free.
Survivors’ Photo: 5am
If you make it through the night, head to the lawns to claim your place in the very last photo of the ball.
Food:
MacDaddy: 7pm - 4am
A Mac ‘n’ Cheese specialist serving up hot pots of comfort-food bliss to warm you during your time in our winter woodland.
Los Churros Amigos: 7pm - 4am
Los Churros Amigos are a specialist in hot, fresh churros, served with a pot of dipping chocolate.
Taste Tibet: 8pm - 2am
Yeshi Jampa and his team will be serving up the very best of his award-winning Tibetan curries.
Chillidogs: 7:30pm - 4am
A street-food specialist serving up gourmet Hot Dogs and Nachos to get you into the festival feeling!
Chipsy: 8pm - 4am
Gourmet fries specialist Chipsy will be frying up triple-cooked Belgian frites with a wide array of dips and toppings.
French Toast: 8pm - 4am
Whilst you’re tucking into your chips, come and find Chipsy’s other speciality - French toast!
Crêpesomania: 8pm - 4am
A stalwart of the Oxford High Street, Crêpesomania are providing us with a selection of their freshly-made dessert crêpes.
Breakfast 4:15am - 6am
As the new day dawns, we’ll gather under the rising sun to enjoy Gatineau Bakery’s finest French pastries.
Drink:
Bubbles without Troubles Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Bar: 7pm - 1am
Yasmin Spark and her team will be serving tailor-made premium Alcohol-free Cocktails.
Mad Hatter Cocktail Bar: 7pm - 3am
We’ve collaborated with Cowley’s ‘The Mad Hatter’ speak-easy bar to produce a unique menu of cocktails that will transport you to the world of the woods.
Enchanted Elixirs Bar 7pm - 6am
Here there’ll be a drink suiting every guest’s taste to fuel their night of woodland revelry.
Jericho Coffee Traders: 7pm - 5am
Coffee-specialists from Jericho Coffee Traders will be serving the best of their coffee menu all night long.
Come further into the cloisters and celebrate the coming of Narnian springtime - think streams running with wine instead of water and the whole forest revelling in jollification…
Music - Second Stage:
Oxford Gargoyles: 8:30pm - 9:30pm
A student black-tie jazz a capella outfit, specialising in dazzling vocal harmonies, and bewildering s**t improvisation.
Sisters of Funk: 9:20pm - 10:20pm
Oxford’s all women and non-binary funk band - they always get everyone dancing and can’t wait to be at Magdalen Ball!
Green Bean Machine: 11pm - 11:45pm
Let their 5-piece horns and powerhouse rhythm section ignite the dance floor as we deliver funky covers of your favourite hits for an electric atmosphere you do not want to miss!
Abba ReBjörn: 1am - 2am
Get ready for one of the most exciting and authentic-sounding ABBA tribute acts that you’re likely to see, guaranteed to make you feel like a dancing queen. Together they bring a touch of class to the ABBA tribute band scene, recreating those unforgettable songs like Waterloo, SOS, and Dancing Queen, and more, so you know there aren’t going to be any duds in the setlist!
Music - Rave Cave (OKB):
Harman Randhawa: 1am - 2:30am
Not quite the flute Mr Tumnus puts Lucy to sleep with, Harmanpreet Randhawa’s DJ set will keep you dancing all night long…
Spice Lounge: 2:30am - 4am
A fun-loving DJ trio now well-known for their bouncy, silly sets - expect 90 minutes of reggaetón, baile funk, breakbeat, speed garage, trance, techno, and all kinds of raucous revelry from the troublesome trio.
Food:
Oxford Gyoza: 7:30pm - 4am
Gloucester Green’s own Gyoza specialist, Ching Yu, will be providing her very best Gyoza for us. As we dance into the small hours, drop by here again for some freshly steamed bao.
Drink:
Springtime Wines and Mid Year’s Beers Bar 7pm - 4am
Come and taste from a tailored array of wine, beer, and cider to the sound of our second music stage.
Misc:
If you need a break from all the excitement, but not necessarily any support from the welfare staff, feel free to head to Hall to relax and chat with friends!
As you continue your journey round the quads, you’ll be able to watch Narnia transform from season to season, starting by exploring the winter woodland in St John’s…
Entertainment:
Ice-Rink: 7pm - 12am
Start your night with some sparkle and head over to our Ice Rink… if skating isn’t quite your style, watch some beautiful performances when the rink opens and closes! If you’re concerned your white tie will interfere with your skating prowess, don’t fear; we will be providing socks and clips (for long dresses) at the side of the rink.
Food:
Wandering Pizza Company: 7pm - 1am
Accompany your wine and beer with this delicious artisan wood-fired pizza, served straight from the oven!
Yubba Yubba Doughnuts: 8pm - 4am
Yubba Yubba owner Debs has been cooking up her hot, freshly-fried doughnuts at college balls for over 35 years, and she promises that this year is better than ever!
Alfonso Gelateria: 7pm - 4am
Embrace the winter chill with this artisan gelato, full of the quality and flavour of authentic Italian ice-cream.
Drink:
Winter Warmer: 8pm - 4am
Yubba Yubba doughnuts will be serving up some of their hot spiced apple juice so you can warm up as you watch the snow fall! Don’t be afraid to ask for a drop of added brandy if you fancy it just a little warmer…
Alc-au-Lait: 9pm - 1am
Get into the winter spirit with these deliciously snow-like alcoholic milkshakes. Alcohol-free options are also available.
Once you’ve stepped through the wardrobe, this quad is where your journey into Narnia truly begins…
Music:
Hannah Kieve: 8:30pm - 9:30pm
An incredible soloist to sing along to your favourite pop and indie ballads with.
The Carnations: 9:30pm - 10:30pm
What do Arctic Monkeys, Taylor Swift, and Fall Out Boy all have in common? Their songs are all played by the Carnations! Make sure you’re front row for a mega indie/rock/pop set you won’t want to miss.
Yazmin Lacey: 10:40pm - 11:40pm
Sonically uncategorisable, the unifying theme of Yazmin Lacey’s music is how it captures the beauty of imperfection, foregoing a polished sound for rawness.
The Hunna: 12am - 1am
One of the most exciting bands on the circuit, the Hunna have earned the status of one of the UK’s great modern rock bands.
Silent Disco: 2am - 4:30am
Flick between our three carefully curated channels and you’ll be sure to find something to keep the dancing and singing going once the main acts have ended.
Drink:
Spirits of Winter Bar 7:15pm - 4am
Here we’ll be serving a wide array of spirits and mixers to accompany our main music stage.
Misc:
Here you will also find our Welfare Room (Old Law Library) and Medical Room (Lecture Room A) should you need any assistance during the night.
To begin the evening, the professor invites you for a reception in his study, accompanied by food, drink, and music, as a final taste of reality before stepping into the world of the ball…
Music:
The Jesus Four: 6pm - 7pm
A string quartet to accompany the Prosecco Reception in the Professor’s study and begin the evening with sophistication…
Food:
Turkish Delight: 6pm-7pm
Turkish delight will be served to give you a taste of our magical world, which, just like Edmund, will leave you wanting more...
Drink:
Prosecco Reception: 6pm-7pm
The Turkish Delight will be accompanied with a choice of Druzian Prosecco or Alcohol-free and halal-certified Champagne.
Misc:
Longwall quad will also be where our cloakroom can be found, along with the lost and found point should any of your wardrobe be misplaced during the night. Additionally, should you need to leave the ball early, you will need to leave via the same gate through which you came in.
Support: ABBA ReBjörn
Get ready for one of the most exciting and authentic-sounding ABBA tribute acts that you’re likely to see. Together they bring a touch of class to the ABBA tribute band scene, recreating those unforgettable songs like Waterloo, SOS, and Dancing Queen, and more, so you know there aren’t going to be any duds in the song list!
Headliner: The Hunna
From their 2016 debut album ‘100’, which went gold and shot into the UK Top 20, the 2018 follow-up ‘Dare’, which climbed even higher, to their new, self-titled fourth album, which seethes with colossal riffs, irresistible melodies and memorable lyrics, The Hunna has built a golden reputation for crafting instant rock anthems. Live, they’ve always been one of the most exciting bands on the circuit, earning the status of one of the UK’s great modern rock bands.
(Photo Credit: Gingerdope)
Support: Yazmin Lacey
Yazmin Lacey is a singer-songwriter who knows something about coming into her own. Following three stunning EPs, Black Moon, When the Sun Dips 90 Degrees, and Morning Matters, her debut album Voice Notes captures the beauty of imperfection, foregoing a polished sound for rawness. Sonically she is uncategorisable, made up of many styles and influences, but it is experiences captured in the moment that come to the forefront, imperfections and all.
(Photo Credit: Nina Manandhar)
The magic of the night continues with our music and other entertainment. Our Entertainment Team have worked hard to secure an array of acts and activities to keep you busy…
Music:
From the rave cave and silent disco to the main stages, as well as a few other spaces where you can enjoy the music, we hope you’re looking forward to dancing with the dryads and whirling with the wood-nymphs!
To begin:
The evening’s musical accompaniment will start at the prosecco reception with a string quartet.
The main event:
We will have three stages hosting all your favourite student bands… plus a few other special guests!
Into the small hours:
Mr Tumnus’ Rave Cave and our silent disco will be in full swing in the early hours of the morning so you can dance the night away!
Non-music:
Watch Narnia transform through the seasons, from a wondrous winter to a sumptuous summer, as you make your way through the quads… each one will be bursting with entertainment to make the night as rich as possible, and there’ll also be plenty of opportunities to get snapped by our photographers (including the very special survivor’s photo) so you’ll be able to remember each and every moment of it!
St John’s quad:
Here in the winter woodland we’ll have our very own (synthetic) ice rink fit for snow fairies and ice queens - clips to hitch up skirts and socks will be provided!
New Buildings Lawns:
Amidst the summer celebration you’ll find the Greenwood Games Casino as well as some other fun…
Grove deer park:
For one night (and one night only!) the deer will disappear to make room for our very own Forest Fairground.
No forest festivities would be complete without food and drink to accompany them, so our Catering Team has worked hard to provide a menu of food and drinks options catering for every guest, including a variety of vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, and non-alcoholic options.
Food:
Four of Magdalen’s quads will be filled with a variety of both sweet and savoury options to try throughout the night… we promise there’s more than just Turkish delight!
Light refreshments:
Upon entry, you are invited to join the professor in his study for some light bites.
Major stalls:
Once you’ve stepped through the wardrobe into the world of the ball, a variety of stalls will remain open all night long.
Survivors’ breakfast:
Just before you return to reality, the night will end with a survivors’ breakfast fit for Narnian royalty.
Drink:
From spirits of winter to enchanted elixirs and magical mixers, we promise there’ll be a drink suiting every guest’s taste to fuel their night of woodland revelry.
Alcoholic:
From a prosecco reception at the beginning of the evening to our own tailored cocktails running all night long, there will be bars throughout the site offering an array of drinks.
Non-Alcoholic:
From alcohol-free champagne to a selection of delicious mocktails, two dedicated non-alcohol bars will take care of our non-drinkers.
In order to make the night run as smoothly as possible, our health and safety manager has worked hard to ensure there will be spaces at the ball where guests can take a break!
Welfare:
Although we’re so excited about everything the ball has to offer, we know events like this can get overwhelming, so we’ve made sure there’ll be a fully staffed welfare room and fully operating welfare policies all night.
St Swithun’s Quad:
Our welfare room will be situated in St Swithun’s quad and will be staffed throughout the night.
Extra:
The committee, members of college staff, as well as our security team will be available throughout the event if any concerns arise. We will also be operating an ‘Ask for Angela’ policy across the site should you ever feel unsafe.
Medical:
We don’t want the magic to be spoiled by anything, from blisters to twisted ankles, so we’ve made sure there’ll be medical staff and supplies available all night.
St Swithun’s Quad:
Our fully staffed medical room will be here, nearby to the welfare room.
Extra:
There will also be plenty of supplies like blister plasters and earplugs available for any other needs. On that note, people wearing heels are welcome to bring trainers to change into later on in the night - we want to avoid any twisted ankles!
We promise that stepping through our wardrobe will be a magical experience, but we don’t want anyone’s own wardrobe to be a stressful one either!
We’re therefore excited to announce that we have partnered with Walters of Oxford and Shepherd & Woodward to provide various discounts on white tie rental for our guests.
White tie hire (normally £150) is reduced to £125 and includes tailcoat, dress trousers, Marcella shirt, waistcoat, bow tie, and accidental insurance cover.
Hire of a tailcoat and waistcoat only is £100, with shoes and top hats priced at £20 each.
Both stores are also offering a 10% discount on any purchase of a dress suit and/or accessories, including dress shirts, bow ties, and white gloves.
For in-store purchases, simply present your ticket at checkout.
If you have already hired your white tie from either of these stores, present them with your receipt and your ticket and they will be happy to be refund the difference!
We’ve been lucky enough to share some Pauline Baynes illustrations on our Instagram… Head over to https://www.instagram.com/magdalenball2023/ to view some of our favourites and get yourself in the mood for the night itself!
Sorry about our recent silence...we've been working hard to put together a magical night!
To feed your curiosity, here are some quotes that have inspired our Creative Director to give you an idea of what's in store.
"But do you really mean, sir," said Peter, "that there could be other worlds - all over the place, just round the corner - like that?" "Nothing is more probable," said the Professor.
"A moment later she found that she was standing in the middle of a wood at nighttime with snow under her feet and snowflakes falling through the air.”
"The children were walking on hour after hour into what seemed like a delicious dream. Long ago they had left the coats behind them. And now they had even stopped saying to one another “Look! There’s a kingfisher!,” or “I say, bluebells!"
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis © 1950 CS Lewis Pte Ltd.
We hope you're ready to get transported to another world on June 24th…
Tickets for Magdalen Commemoration Ball are now SOLD OUT!
We are very excited to welcome you all Through the Wardrobe next June and appreciate your patience whilst ticket allocation took place.
For all updates about next year’s ball, keep an eye on your inbox for emails from us, and make sure you are following our social media pages.
Demand for this event was extremely high, and whilst we tried to allocate tickets as fairly as possible, we understand some of you may have missed out, or not been allocated all the tickets you requested.
If you would like to be kept on a waiting list in case any tickets become available at a later date, please register your interest using the link in our bio.
Tickets will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, but we may prioritise those who do not currently hold any tickets. Please note this waiting list is open to Magdalen members and alumni only.
The guest ballot opens today - keep an eye on your inbox if you joined the waiting list!
Tickets will be released in rounds, with the first round opening at 10am. If you’ve been successful you will receive an email with a link to buy your extra guest ticket(s).
You will then have until 6pm on Wednesday to claim the tickets - if you don’t claim them within this time they will be reallocated in the next round. You are under no obligation to complete the purchase if you have since changed your mind.
Any purchased tickets need to be filled out with your guests’ full name. If your plans change, you can edit the name at a later point, but you cannot label the ticket ‘Guest Ticket’ for example.
Please note that demand is high and it will not be possible for us to meet everyone’s requests, but we will aim to be as fair as possible. If you don’t receive an email for the first round, you might still be allocated tickets in the next round, which will open at 10am on Thursday.
Tickets for Magdalen alumni are on sale now!
Head to the link in our bio to book yours! You’ll be able to buy one ticket priced at £235 plus one guest ticket, also priced at £235, as well as ballot for further guest tickets.
The members ticket sale will be live until 6pm on November 14th.
Tickets for current Magdalen members are on sale now!
Head to the link in our bio to book yours! You’ll be able to buy one ticket priced at £215 plus one guest ticket priced at £235, as well as ballot for further guest tickets.
The members ticket sale will be live until 6pm on October 30th.
Through What’s A Pound, attendees will be able to donate £1 on top of every ticket purchased to ARCh by ticking the box at checkout. If you are able to, please do!
For the first time in seven years, we invite you to join us for a night of woodland revelry with the return of our Commemoration Ball, on the 24th June 2023. Look into your own wardrobe and don your finest white tie in preparation to step through ours, into a world of wondrous winters, dancing dryads, and sumptuous summers. In celebration of one of our most beloved Fellows, Magdalen College is honoured to lead you: Through the Wardrobe.
Magdalen College
Oxford
OX14AU
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