The June Ball is the largest of University College’s annual balls. The ball hosts around 900 undergraduates, postgraduates and teaching staff during the 12-hour white-tie event.
The June Ball is renowned across the country having featured in Tatler’s Bystander, The Guardian’s ‘Top 100 things to do before you die’, and Mastercard’s ‘Top Events Money Can’t Buy’.
The ball is the culmination of many years of hard academic study and is very much a Castle tradition, enshrined in our Standing Orders as one of the defining features of our time in Castle. The theme remains a closely guarded secret until guests arrive on the night. Previous themes have included ‘Never Grow Up’, A Night at the Museum’, ‘All the World’s a Stage’, ‘The Zodiac’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
The night begins with a champagne drinks reception, when the eagerly anticipated theme is finally revealed. Guests then begin a four course meal situated in the stunning surroundings of Palace Green, located directly between the greatest Norman building in England – Durham Cathedral – and the Castle. After dinner, the fireworks display greets guests entering the courtyard, after which they explore the ball, losing themselves amongst the grounds, halls, corridors, chapels and various magnificently themed rooms of the Castle. The night culminates with a survivors’ photograph and a celebratory breakfast.
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The June Ball 2022 – Theme: Projections (Patrick Greenman, Ball Chair 2021/22)
Castle June Ball 2017 | University College Durham from Treasure Digital on Vimeo.
The June Ball 2017 raised money for the Friends of Kumi Hospital – our Senior Tutor’s Charity
(Alicia Green, JCR Social Chairman 2016/17)
The June Ball 2016 – Theme: A Night at the Museum (Summer Burton-Morgan, JCR Social Chairman 2015/16)
The June Ball 2015 – Theme: All The World’s A Stage (Rosemary Alexander, JCR Social Chairman 2014/15)
The June Ball 2014 – Theme: The Zodiac (Henrietta Niekirk, JCR Social Chairman 2013/14)
If you would like to know more about the planning and preparation for any of these Balls, please find further information on the Ents Committee and the June Ball Committee.