Summer Ball 2025
DAYS
HOURS
MINS
SECS
We hope you had a great time at Summer Ball 2025!
Tickets
Tickets are no longer available for purchase online. A limited number of tickets will be available to purchase on the door.
Arrive early to secure your ticket.
Day + Night Ticket
With access to all the outside fun in the Day, plus see the headline acts in The Venue from 22:00 - 03:00.
£20
+£2 booking fee
Day Ticket
Outdoor fairground rides, street food, bars, fair games, crazy golf, face painters, photo ops and much more! Access from 15:00 - 22:00.
£10
+£2 booking fee
Day + Night Ticket - Guest/Alumni
With access to all the outside fun in the Day, plus see the headline acts in The Venue from 22:00 - 03:00.
£25
+£2 booking fee
Day Ticket - Guest/Alumni
Outdoor fairground rides, street food, bars, fair games, crazy golf, face painters, photo ops and much more! Access from 15:00 - 22:00.
£15
+£2 booking fee
What is Summer Ball?
Huge party
Summer Ball is the ultimate party, where the University of Kent campus transforms into a spectacular, one-night-only festival.
Picture thousands of partygoers dressed to impress, coming together to light up the night and kick off summer in unforgettable style.
It’s not just an event - it’s the biggest and most exciting party in Canterbury, and you won’t want to miss it!
Live music
Get ready to dance, sing, and soak up the incredible vibes of live music at Summer Ball!
With DJs throughout the day, and The Venue stage at night, there’s non-stop entertainment to keep the party going.
From energetic DJ sets and epic sing-alongs to amazing cover bands and standout student performances, the lineup has something for every music lover. Whether you’re front row at the stage or exploring hidden gems, this is a night of music you won’t forget!
Rides and games
From the dazzling heights of the Ferris wheel to the challenge of hook-a-duck and the fun of crazy golf, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you’re chasing thrills, showing off your skills, or simply soaking in the nostalgic fairground vibes, these rides and games are the perfect way to make your night even more unforgettable.
Don’t forget to grab your friends and get competitive - bragging rights are on the line!
Food and drink
There’s plenty to enjoy when it comes to food and drink at Summer Ball. A variety of street food stalls will be serving up tasty options to suit every craving.
You’ll also find bars across the site offering all your favourite summer drinks, perfect for relaxing with friends and keeping the evening going. Whether you’re after a snack or something more filling, there’s options for everyone to enjoy.
Recap 2024
Artists
It’s no cliche to say that ArrDee’s rise to the top has been explosive: his debut mixtape ‘Pier Pressure’ became the biggest selling body of work from a debut UK breakthrough artist in 2022. It’s sitting on the most-streamed hip hop records of 2022 list, alongside Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
The 20-year-old has gone from packing boxes at Amazon to receiving gold plaques in the space of just over a year, bursting onto the rap scene in 2021 with ‘Cheeky Bars’.
From there, a slew of hotly-received singles followed, ‘Flowers’, ‘Oliver Twist’ and of course his ‘Body’ verse that went viral as a snapshot of ArrDee’s fiery, grinning style. But the Brighton rapper is growing up, both physically and sonically, as he proved with the blend of party tracks and more introspective numbers on ‘Pier Pressure’.
New track ‘Loser’ further flexes these muscles, cleverly playing on comments from the haters in that comedic way he does so well while offering an insight into the mental state of a rap star firmly on the ascent. As he enters into the next phase of his artistry, expect the unexpected from ArrDee.
Inferno have for many years been entertaining audiences around the world with their brilliant Tribute to Abba. They regularly perform at top venues throughout the UK and Europe and can bring a quality PA system and lights to every event.
As one of the UK’s longest established Abba Tribute Bands, this fabulous Sussex and Kent based Abba Tribute can perform at any kind of function including weddings, private parties, corporate events, theatres or spectacular outdoor festivals. Whatever the venue, location or event, big or small, our clients rest assured that Inferno always put on a fantastic show of the very highest standard!
Questions?
No, there is no physical ticket collection this year. Once you have purchased your ticket online you will receive an email confirmation with your ticket QR code attached. Please bring your QR code with you on the day (on your phone is fine, no need to print it) to be scanned on entry, along with your physical Student ID and valid Photo ID (driving licence/passport).
KPASS 2024 + Summer Ball ticket holders should receive their Summer Ball ticket by email in April.
View the Terms and Conditions.
Yes! As long as they are over 18. Visit the Tickets section of this webpage to buy a Guest/Alumni ticket. Guests must show valid Photo ID (drivers licence/passport).
Yes, we welcome all students to the party! You will need to create an Associate account first through the Kent Students’ Union website, then visit the Tickets section of this webpage to purchase your student ticket. Please bring your physical Student ID (from any university) and valid Photo ID (drivers licence/passport) on the day.
Yes! One ticket per person.
Yes! We'd love to see you. Visit the Tickets section of this webpage to buy a Guest/Alumni ticket. You’ll need to bring valid Photo ID (drivers licence/passport).
Yes! Summer Ball is an 18+ event.
Student ticket holders must bring their physical student ID card (from any university) and valid proof of age photo ID (passport or driving licence).
Guest / Alumni ticket holders must bring valid proof of age photo ID (passport or driving licence).
Confirmation emails may take a few minutes to come through so please check back later if you don’t receive it straight away. Make sure to check all email folders including junk and trash etc. If you still can’t find it, please email [email protected] with your Student ID (and transaction number if you have it) and we’ll resend the email to your Kent email address.
Unfortunately not. We can't refund or resale any tickets. Our fire capacities are strict and final numbers must be accounted for before the event. Under extreme circumstances an appeal can be made to the Deputy Director of Commercial Services, by contacting [email protected].
Tickets will only be available to purchase on the door if the event doesn’t sell out in advance, so we recommend getting your tickets online to avoid disappointment! Door tickets will be more expensive than the online price.
Pre-event
Summer Ball starts at 15:00 and will finish at 03:00.
The ‘Day’ part of the event will take place between 15:00 - 22:00.
The ‘Night’ part of the event will take place between 22:00 - 03:00.
Day tickets give you access to the ‘Day’ part of the event only. The Day event will take place outdoors between 15:00 - 22:00 and will feature fairground rides, street food, bars, fair games, crazy golf, face painters, photo ops and much more.
Day + Night tickets give you access to the whole event including The Venue from 22:00 - 03:00 where the headliners will be performing. You must purchase a Day + Night ticket to see the headliners. Day tickets do not include access to The Venue from 22:00.
Last entry for Day tickets is 18:00. Last entry for Day + Night tickets is 20:00.
No. You will not be allowed to re-enter the site once you leave. This is due to strict capacity and security rules in place to keep everyone safe.
Yes, in order to keep ticket prices as cheap as possible you will need to pay to go on the fairground rides but don’t worry, they will be cheap to ride!
There will be plenty of free entertainment and activities including fair games, crazy golf, face painters, photo ops, and much more.
Yes! There will be a small outdoor stage featuring student DJs and live music.
Yes, at The Venue.
Yes, at the usual cloakroom inside The Venue.
Summer Ball is a fully accessible event. This includes a step-free entrance and toilets. Please expect loud music and flashing lights. Free ear plugs can be picked up from The Venue.
A map and programme will be available on the Kent Students’ Union website. Map and line-up posters will be on display around the event and Summer Ball Staff will be on hand to answer any questions on the night.
Anything goes, but dress to impress!
Short answer is yes. But we’ve all been there having problems with signal, so we strongly recommend you bring cash just in case.
Yes, by The Venue. But expect queues and we'd advise getting cash out before the night.
On the night
With security restrictions, no liquids can be taken in, including perfume, so leave the Chanel at home! No glass. No alcohol or food items. For a full list, please look at our Terms and Conditions.
There are smoking areas, outside by Eliot car park and the usual outside area at The Venue.
All the usual festival type food stalls that come to campus already, with vegan and vegetarian food options too.
We pride ourselves on fair pricing and drink prices on the night are cheaper than any large event or festival you will ever attend. We boost pay for student staff to work this event as a thank you, as well as additional costs for operations (structure, tills and card machines and security) so costs are more than usual Venue prices.
Free water will be available from every bar throughout the site. There are also dedicated water stations which are indicated on the map.
Yes.
Eliot footpath will be open. However, the entrance from Becket Court and The Venue will not be accessible. Exit will be possible at the end of the night.
A taxi rank will be available at the Drop Off & Pick-Up point in Keynes car park. We definitely suggest you book taxis in advance!
Please go to Campus Security after 13:00, Monday after the event for valuables. Wednesday for non-valuables, e.g. coats and shoes.