College functions and events
Open Days
Tutorial Fellows and lecturers are encouraged to represent their subjects in the College's 'Meet the Tutors' sessions run in College on the University Open Days. Open Days are normally held on the Wednesday and Thursday of 10th week in Trinity Term, and then on a Friday in mid-September. Precise dates will be published on the University website.
Graduation Days
Graduation Days are for recipients of first degrees, each of whom may bring 3 guests to the lunch. Fellows and Lecturers are warmly invited to attend the post-ceremony receptions for graduations. Details will be sent via e-mail in the weeks leading up to each ceremony.
| Date | Expected number |
|---|---|
| Saturday 27 September 2025 | 57 Graduands |
| Saturday 15 November 2025 | c. 30 Graduands |
| Saturday 7 March 2026 | c. 26 Graduands |
| Saturday 23 May 2026 | c. 30 Graduands |
| Saturday 18 July 2026 | c. 13 Graduands |
| Tuesday 28 July 2026 | c. 67 Graduands |
Gaudies
Fellows and Lecturers are invited to attend the afternoon tea at Gaudy celebrations.
| Date | Years |
|---|---|
| Friday 17 April 2026 | 1964, 1979, 1994, and 2019 |
| Friday 26 June 2026 | 1961 and before, 1974, 1989, 1999, and 2004 |
| Friday 18 September 2026 | 1969, 1984, 2009, and 2014 |
Programme for 2025-26
| Date | Function | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 12th September | Cadwallader Dinner | |
| Monday 29th September | Start of Academic Year Drinks Reception | |
| Friday 28th November |
Shakespeare Project: The Merchant of Venice |
Bringing Shakespeare to wider audiences, showcasing the talent of some of the University’s best student actors, as part of our Access and Outreach programme. Presenting abridged versions of Shakespeare’s plays, lasting approximately ninety minutes each that are accessible to audiences of all ages. |
| Sunday of 8th Week in Michaelmas Term Sunday 30th November |
ADVENT CAROL SERVICE | For Christmas in the College Chapel we have a beautiful service of music and readings. This is followed by a guest night dinner where spouses are welcome. |
| Friday of 9th Week after Michaelmas Term Friday 12th December |
THE POULTON DINNER | This is the College’s annual family function, and most Fellows bring their spouses/partners. |
| Friday 20th February | Shakespeare Project: Romeo and Juliet |
Bringing Shakespeare to wider audiences, showcasing the talent of some of the University’s best student actors, as part of our Access and Outreach programme. Presenting abridged versions of Shakespeare’s plays, lasting approximately ninety minutes each that are accessible to audiences of all ages. |
| Saturday 13 December | Children’s Christmas Party | |
| Wednesday 14th January | Hilary Term Postgraduate Domus Dinner | |
| Jesus College Shakespeare Project Friday 21st February |
ROMEO AND JULIET | Bringing Shakespeare to wider audiences, showcasing the talent of some of the University’s best student actors, as part of our Access and Outreach programme. Presenting abridged versions of Shakespeare’s plays, lasting approximately ninety minutes each that are accessible to audiences of all ages. |
| TBC | St David’s Day (Tea and Service) | |
| Friday of 9th Week in Hilary Term Friday 20th March |
THE DOMUS DINNER (DOMUS MEANING HOUSE) |
This is the main College Feast and each Fellow may bring one guest, normally a person of distinction. |
| TBC – March | All Stars Rugby | |
| Tuesday of 1st Week in Trinity Term Tuesday 28th April |
THE COMMEMORATION OF BENEFACTORS |
At this dinner, the College commemorates all benefactors. The Principal, Fellows and Scholars of Jesus College attend. This dinner is preceded by a Service of Commemoration in the College Chapel. |
| Jesus College Shakespeare Project Friday 16th May |
RICHARD II | Bringing Shakespeare to wider audiences, showcasing the talent of some of the University’s best student actors, as part of our Access and Outreach programme. Presenting abridged versions of Shakespeare’s plays, lasting approximately ninety minutes each that are accessible to audiences of all ages. |
| Thursday 28 May | Sports Dinner | |
| Saturday of 5th Week in Trinity Term Saturday 30th May |
EIGHTS WEEK | Annual boat racing event. Colleges put out eights for racing on Wednesday – Saturday of 5th week of Trinity Term. There are both men’s and women’s races. The Saturday in Eights Week finds large numbers of people at the boathouses and along the course (students, parents, Old Members and Senior Members). |
| Saturday of 7th Week in Trinity Term |
ALL STARS CRICKET MATCH |
Cricket – Andrew Livesey-White Old Members cricket team v College 1st XI. Trophy donated in honour of Andrew Livesey-White, a Jesus Junior Member who died in his 30’s. |
| Sunday of Weeks 1-8 during all Terms |
SUNDAY EVENSONG | In the College Chapel between 17.45 hrs and 18.50 hrs when the choir sing and there are good speakers on a variety of themes. The services are Christian but those of all faiths and none are welcome to attend. After Evensong, there are drinks followed by dinner in Hall when spouses are welcome. |
Please find details of events in Michaelmas Term 2025, with a preview of events for later in the academic year. Further information will be sent out about individual events in due course, including details of when and how to book.
Please contact the Development Office (events@jesus.ox.ac.uk) if you would like to attend.
*Please note that we are unable to take early bookings for events*
Michaelmas Term 2025
| Date and time | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 3 October 205 6:30pm |
Lawyers’ Dinner Location: Cheng Kar Shun Digital Hub and Jesus College Hall |
Open to all alumni and a guest. £70. |
|
Wednesday 22 October 2025 6.30pm |
Principal’s Lecture at the Open Data Institute Location: Open Data Institute, London |
Open to all alumni and a guest. £30. |
|
Thursday 30 October 2025 6.30pm |
London ‘Happy Hour’ Drinks Location: Champagne Charlie’s, London |
Open to all alumni. £12.50. |
|
Saturday 1 November 2025 1.00pm |
Manuscripts and Rare Books Day Location: Westgate Library and Jesus College |
Open to all alumni and a guest. Cost TBC. |
|
Wednesday 5 November 2025 |
Romeo a Juliet (bilingual Welsh-English production) Location: Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, London |
Open to all alumni and a guest. Alumni to buy their own tickets for the play. |
|
Friday 28-Saturday 19 November 2025 |
Jesus College Shakespeare Project: The Merchant of Venice Location: Jesus College Hall |
Open to all alumni and a guest for Saturday afternoon; open to College community on two evenings. Cost £6 a ticket (evenings); £12 a ticket (afternoon, includes refreshments and Q&A) |
|
Friday 5 December 2025, |
Christmas Carols and Donor Reception Location: St George’s Church, Hanover Square, London |
By invitation only. |
Further Events in 2025
We will continue our celebrations of Sir Nigel’s tenure as Principal with an event at Google HQ in London in January, and he will also give the address at the All Alumni Dinner in March. In addition, the Jesus College Shakespeare Project will present Much Ado About Nothing in February and Richard II in May, commencing an exploration of the second tetralogy of histories which play across the 2026/2027 academic year. We will also have our annual St David’s Day celebrations, Commemoration of Benefactors, Parents’ Brunch/Summer Eights, and 1571 Society Legacy Luncheon, which this year will have Professor Armand D’Angour as guest speaker. Further events to be confirmed.
Jesus Entrepreneur Network (JEN) Events
For more details about our professional network, please contact Eve Bodniece – eve.bodniece@jesus.ox.ac.uk
XL Network Events
The XL network organises a variety of events throughout the year. Please enquire for more details. http://jomg.org/
College closes for over Christmas and New Year, and for a week at Easter. During these closure periods, academic staff and students may still enter College but College Offices are not open and no meals are served in College. The Lodge is staffed throughout closure periods.
College Closure 2025-26
| Friday 19th December | Last working day before Christmas closure |
| Monday 5th January (First day back) | College re-opens after Christmas Closure |
| Thursday 2nd April | College Closure (Easter) |
| Tuesday 7th April | College re-opens after Easter Closure |
