May Week

This article refers to the tradition at the University of Cambridge. For the celebratory week in Argentina, see May Revolution.

May Week is the name used within the University of Cambridge to refer to a period of time at the end of the academic year. Originally May Week took place in the week during May before year-end exams began. Today, May Week takes place in June and lasts about ten days, after exams are over. Hence, it no longer merits either word in its name. The end of exams is a cause for heavy celebration amongst the students of the University. Highlights of the week include May Balls, June events, garden parties and the intercollegiate rowing race known as the May Bumps. During this time, students get an opportunity to relax where some choose to punt on the River Cam (sometimes to Grantchester) taking in the beauty that Cambridge in the summer has to offer.

Suicide Sunday

Suicide Sunday is the name used at Cambridge University to refer to the Sunday immediately after the end of the summer term (known as Easter Term). By this Sunday, all students have finished exams but most of the results have not been published, so it is traditionally a period of nerves and suspense. The name, however, stems from students attempting to drink themselves to death rather than a high incidence of suicides. Garden parties are hosted by many groups, including many of the established drinking societies. These tickets are highly sought after and often first preference is given to members.

Garden Parties

Many colleges and societies have garden parties on during May Week.

May Week 2008

**May Week Balls and June Events**
Thursday 12th	Friday 13th	Saturday 14th	Suicide Sunday (15th)	Monday 16th	Tuesday 17th	Wednesday 18th	Friday 20th	Saturday 21st
Homerton June Event	Robinson May Ball	Hughes Hall May Ball	Emmanuel June Event	Clare May Ball	Christ's May Ball	King's Affair	Darwin May Ball	Selwyn May Ball
		Clare Hall May Ball		Jesus May Ball	Gonville and Caius May Ball	Pembroke June Event	St Edmund's May Ball
				Trinity May Ball	St John's May Ball	St Catharine's May Ball	Wolfson June Event
						Trinity Hall June Event
						Sidney Sussex May Ball

Previous May Weeks

**May Week 2007**
Friday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Friday
Robinson May Ball	Emmanuel May Ball	St. John's May Ball	King's Affair	Wolfson College June Event
Homerton May Ball	Jesus May Ball	Queens' May Ball	Magdalene May Ball	St Edmund's May Ball
	Clare May Ball		Pembroke May Ball	Corpus Christi May Ball
	Trinity May Ball		Trinity Hall June Event
			Downing May Ball

**May Week 2006**
Suicide Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Friday
Emmanuel June Event	Trinity May Ball	St. John's May Ball	King's Affair	Wolfson College June Event
Queens' Bounce	Jesus May Ball	Gonville and Caius May Ball	Peterhouse May Ball	St Edmund's May Ball
	Clare May Ball	Christ's May Ball	Pembroke June Event
			Trinity Hall June Event
			St. Catharine's May Ball
			Sidney Sussex May Ball

External Links

Partial list of garden parties and other Mayweek events in 2008: mirror 1 mirror 2