Social Events

The Balliol MCR prides itself on being one of the most active MCRs at Oxford. The MCR Social Secretaries organise a wide range of social events throughout the year.

Freshers’ Week

To welcome Freshers to the MCR and to break the ice, the MCR Committee organises a week full of social activities, for example, welcome drinks, music evenings, tours of Oxford, punting, Manor Olympics, meet-your-floor dinners, a barbecue, pub quiz and movie nights. The highlights of the week are the Freshers' and Stalers' Dinner and the Freshers' Week BOP (a big themed party) followed by a welfare brunch the next day.

International and National Festivals

The MCR is lucky to have a very diverse and international community and it regularly celebrates cultural festivals such as Diwali, Thanksgiving and St Patrick's Day. Often, we celebrate with a big dinner - members of the community volunteer to cook for the MCR and introduce others to the traditions of the festival.

BOPs

The Social Secretaries organise three BOPs per year. BOPs (Big Open Parties) are themed costume parties, open to everyone in the University. Balliol BOPs are famous in Oxford, and the Manor is a great space for dancing, chatting, and, if you're lucky, a karaoke sing-along!

Special Formal Dinners in Hall

We host one big formal dinner in the Hall each term, followed by entertainment in Holywell Manor. In Michaelmas, we have Christmas dinner with Christmassy food, balloons, crackers, and the annual MCR pantomime. Burns' Night in Hilary is one of the most exciting events of the year, and also a celebration of the Scottish roots of Balliol. Manor residents and guests get the opportunity to enjoy haggis, whiskey, bagpipes, Scottish music, Robert Burns' poetry and Ceilidh dancing until midnight. Last but not least, we host the May Dinner in Trinity, our big celebration of the arrival of May.

Food

Making and sharing food is a significant and distinctive part of the social experience at Holywell Manor. At several of the largest MCR events, members of all skill levels and talents come together to plan and prepare a shared meal, sometimes for more than 100 people. These events are key fixtures of the MCR social calendar, and include the Stalers' Dinner, the Welfare brunches, barbecues, international potlucks and events showcasing national cuisines (such as our Mexican dinner), as well as various national festivals like North American Thanksgiving and Diwali, reflecting the diverse culture in our MCR.

MCR Garden Party

The Balliol MCR Garden Party is a classy, sumptuous all-inclusive, black-tie evening full of good food and drinks, music, dancing and entertainment. Like a ball, but a bit smaller and less expensive. Usually organised by a committee of freshers, it's a great way to end Trinity Term and the year!

Exchange Dinners

Exchange dinners with other Colleges are a great opportunity to meet new people and to try out all the different dining halls at Oxford. Usually, there are two College exchanges per term, each with one leg at Balliol and one leg at another College. Balliol also organises an exchange with its sister College in Cambridge, St John's College.

And more…

Don’t forget the super-fun extras! Like punting, picnics, ice skating, barbecues, games nights, bar exchanges, wine and whiskey tastings!