King's Affair,

About the event

The sell out all night event, King's Affair, brings the best music line-up in Cambridge as the spectacular grounds of King's College are transformed into a dark, dreamlike paradise for the most anticipated night of the year. It attracts students, both from the university locally and international, and alumni from high power jobs from all over the world. The audience base is diverse and mainly young students, perfect for companies looking to reach or strengthen their links with this group of people. King's Affair is especially sought after because so much is offered in the event at a budget price, attracting thousands to attend but even more (5000+) to show interest in the event in terms of website and facebook hits as well as the mailing lists (ticket and waiting). Not only do sponsors have access to all of these but sponsorship benefits are long term, with word of mouth about the event and its sponsors (cleverly incorporated into the event design and programme) continuing to spread long after the event. Sponsorship packages are flexible and its fulfilment will be bespoke, perfectly designed to suit the sponsor. There is also the option of tailoring your own package.

Renowned as the antidote to the monotony of traditional May Balls of Cambridge in the traditional post exams 'May Week' celebrations, King’s Affair indisputably boasts the most exciting music line-up in Cambridge, the tastiest food, and top-quality entertainment. It is no surprise, therefore, that KA is the most popular May Ball in Cambridge, surpassing those at both Trinity and St John’s Colleges. Upon release, KA tickets cost £70 for King’s College members and £85 for non-King’s members; many of these are resold on the marketplace for upwards of £200. 

With spectacular grounds, an outstanding academic record and a vibrant culture, it is no wonder that King’s is the most competitive Cambridge college for admission.

Its halls and corridors have borne leading experts in the worlds of science, politics, economics and the arts, with King’s alumni ranging from groundbreaking figures such as Alan Turing and John Maynard Keynes, to key modern influences Mervyn King and Salman Rushdie, to popular culture icons such as author Zadie Smith and model Lily Cole.

The spectacular King’s College Chapel is famously emblematic of the University of Cambridge. Located at the heart of the city, King’s Chapel is one of the greatest examples of Gothic English architecture, and symbolises 800 years of academic excellence, groundbreaking research and scientific discovery. A major tourist attraction, the chapel is also home to world-renowned King’s College choir, whose Christmas Eve service is broadcast to million of listeners worldwide.

For just one night each year, at Cambridge's most anticipated student event, King's grounds and chapel are transformed into a surreal fantasy land. Historic buildings are lit up and adorned with themed artwork and decorations, while the chapel choir is replaced by underground hip-hop, alternative funk and indie rock bands. This is the night of King’s Affair.

Traditionally known for its staggering workload and strenuous exams, the University of Cambridge is also becoming increasingly famous for its spectacular post-exam summertime balls and parties. A front-page feature in the Daily Mail every year, Cambridge May Balls attract tens of thousands of university students as well as famous musicians and celebrities from across the country. Tickets for the most popular balls are released months in advance, and sell out within a matter of hours. 

A typical Cambridge May Ball is black- or white-tie formal event featuring lavish meals and champagne. But at King’s, we are known far and wide for doing things differently. Tuxedos and floor-length gowns are exchanged for magnificent fancy dress costumes; blasé music is replaced by supremely talented, up-and-coming artists who are redefining hip-hop, R&B and funk; and rigid decorations give way to intricate set design, fantastic artwork and dazzling lighting. 

Each year the costumes and decorations at King’s Affair are designed around a specific theme, which is decided upon over six months in advance. KA themes are artistic concepts which allow for multiple creative interpretations; past themes have included ContAnimated (2012), The Beast Within (2013), and Subterranea (2014) and Glitch (2015). 

The event itself features six stages for live acts playing different kinds of music, several DJ booths and ‘chill-out’ areas with shisha pipes or other entertainment, and a number of food stalls and bars. Sponsors have the opportunity to have these stages named after their brand. There are also several ‘ents’ or entertainment facilities, which typically include dodgems, photo booths, and a giant slide. Artists who have headlined at King’s Affair in the past include Hot Chip, Florence + The Machine, and Bastille.

King’s Affair is organised entirely by students at King’s College, with the collaboration of the college administration and council. The KA Committee consists of a Chairperson and Treasurer, and Officers for Food & Drink, Music, Entertainment, Art & Design, Production, IT & Ticketing, Publicity, Workers & Legal Matters, and Sponsorship. King’s Affair also employs staff on the night of the event to ensure the smooth and efficient execution of setup and cleanup tasks. 

Why should you sponsor?

Sahaj Kaur

Contact the Organizer Contact the Organizer