Societies and clubs at Trinity College, Cambridge

The 2026–27 White Book (revised August 2026) lists Formal Hall at 20:00 on Thursday and Saturday in Full Term, Saturday only in Easter Term. The postgraduate BA Dinner on Friday is separate. Students buy tickets on Upay. Booking opens ten days before (08:00) and closes three days before (20:00), after which sales are final and non-refundable. Upay shows the price; the White Book gives no figure. When there is capacity, a student may bring one guest at a time. In exceptional cases, a student may request one additional guest ticket by emailing the Head of Catering ten days before, with a justification and all guests' full names. Hosts must accompany their guests at all times on College premises and enter guests' correct names. Guests must identify themselves and their host when asked. Under-18s need the Head of Catering's prior permission, and under-16s may not dine. Smart dress and gowns are worn. Photography and phones are not permitted, and students found taking part in drinking games are ejected. Some special dinners do not allow guests.

Seating follows the High Table convention: places cannot be reserved, and the White Book says groups should make other arrangements. University societies may not dine in Hall without extraordinary College Council permission. Trinity college societies may introduce guests from counterpart college societies at formal hall exchange dinners. White Book 2026–27, §§42, 43, 45, 51, 57 (opens in a new tab) The Postdoctoral Society page (opens in a new tab) gives the same ten-day/three-day Upay window for postdoc bookings.

Practical assessment: A visitor needs a Trinity student to book them as their single guest on Upay three to ten days ahead and to stay with them throughout. Exchanges between college societies are the only documented group route.