May Ball Firework Punting

May Ball Firework Punting

Enjoy the highlight of Cambridge University’s year from the comfort of your own private punt. Fireworks Punting in Cambridge. Monday 19th June & Tuesday 20th June 2023

This year Trinity and Clare College are holding their May Balls on Monday 19th June followed by the St Johns and Queen’s College May Balls on Tuesday 20th June. These colleges compete each year for the best firework displays and you can be there to take it all in from a chauffeured punt; without a doubt the best way to see the spectacle.

We offer private punt hire so you can make the most of the Cambridge May Week Fireworks and Celebrations whatever your group size – up to 12 per boat. Our boats depart at 8.30pm to give your chauffeur plenty of time to navigate your boat to a great vantage point for the firework extravaganza at 10.30 – 11.00pm.

The atmosphere on the River Cam over these two evenings of May Week is unrivalled by any other night of the year. So bring along your Champagne or hot chocolates and let us guide you along the river and you can sit back and take it all in.

We have limited availability for both nights so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Price per Tour: 
Mon June 19th: £350
Tues June 2oth: £300

Make Booking

May Ball Fireworks Punting Tour

  • Monday 19th June 2023 – Trinity May Ball
  • Tuesday 20th June 2023 – St John’s May Ball
Trip Advisor

star rating  The most Amazing Punt Company river tour that i had with “ Josh “ he made the journey unforgettable he was explaining everything and show us every sight with details... read more

avatar thumb rafa717
15 February 2023

star rating  Great team, excellent customer service! Joe was our guide and he was amazing. Full of knowledge, patience and great sense of humour. Thank you for having us.

avatar thumb AfsanaN7
15 February 2023

star rating  Absolutely lovely experience. Easy to find. Our tour guide, Josh, had so much knowledge about the area.

avatar thumb neyrah2023
14 February 2023

FAQ's

Our tours last between 45 mins – 50mins, depending on boat traffic on the river. Longer tours can be arranged. If you require a 1 hour or longer tour, please email us / call us 07943820437. If you are late you will forfeit your tour or be offered a shortened tour where possible. With notice we may be able to reschedule for a later time – this is not possible at weekends.

Cancellation Policy

Private Tours: 

Bookings cancelled more that 48 hours in advance are eligible to a 70% refund alternatively you can reschedule your tour for another time or date (higher price differences may apply). If you have only paid a deposit – this will not be refunded. Bookings cancelled with less than 48 hours before the time and date will not be refunded.

Bookings can be re-arranged free of charge with more than 24 hours notice, after this a fee will apply (£10 admin).

Shared tours:
With 24 hours notice we will reschedule your tour for another time and date, no charge. Later than 24 hours notice – you will need to re-book.Please note if you select a more expensive time or date the difference must be paid.

Late Arrival:

No refunds / reschedules are given for late arrivals.

Private Tours: Your punt is reserved for a specific time and date, a late arrival will result in a missed or reduced tour time. If you know you are running late please contact us as soon as possible to let us know. 07943820437

Shared Tours: Late arrival will result in a missed tour.

Bad Weather:

We still continue punting in light rain and winds.

If you wish to cancel with at least 48 hours notice, we will reschedule free of charge or refund minus a 30% deposit.

You cancel without providing 48 hours notice or do not contact us, your payment is retained.

We cancel/are closed by bad weather: Full refund for your punting tour.

COVID-19 – If you or anyone in your household has COVID-19 symptoms or has been told to isolate DO NOT COME PUNTING. Please alert us as soon as you can and we will reschedule or refund your booking.Proof of a positive test result will need to be sent.
Please check our favoured weather forecasting site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2653941

We are open from 10am until 5pm, we do stay open later than 5pm in the high season June, July, August and weekends in September. The first tour doesn’t necessarily depart at 10am, as we have to gather customers for the boat. If the day is raining heavily , there are extreme winds, or the river is running very fast due to previous heavy rains we may have to close on advice of the River Management body. In inclement weather please call us to check if we are open.

Well, if it’s light rain we’ll go anyway. We’ve got umbrellas and blankets so you’ll be just fine. If it’s a torrential downpour whilst on a tour, we will stop under a bridge and wait until it stops. If you have a ticket already you can go another day – rearrange your ticket with the cashier.

We cannot accommodate late arrivals. Your tour is scheduled to depart at a specific time, therefore if you are late, the tour will depart without you (shared tour) or your space will be reallocated/forfeit (private tour). It might be possible to offer a shortened tour (private tours only) depending if your allocated boat is re-booked immediately after your scheduled time.

If you’ve made a booking we expect to see you, tours are given specific times and cannot be moved, however if there’s a problem please do give us a call. We will try to help.

Refunds – see the refund section.

If you are running late we will try and accommodate you – however we have full bookings schedule typically and therefore can wait a max of 5 mins for customers who are running late, as any delays beyond that effect the rest of our schedule. We will try and rebook you if our day allows for that. Please call us as soon as you know there is a delay.

Yes, our small independent operation operates most days from April to November. We always have staffed based on Quayside CB5 8AB, or our cashier is always by the boat departure point on the wooden boardwalk along the river next to La Mimosa Restaurant CB5 8AG. Any of our staff will assist you if you turn up without a booking. You can purchase tickets directly with the cashier or our ticket vendor on Quayside. Call 07943 820437 if you cannot find any of our staff on arrival.

It is best to book in advance, especially for busy summer months. On the day ticket allocations are usually sold out for weekends a few days before the date. Sometimes we can find you a spot for the date or time of your choosing if you give us a call.

Weekdays and mid season months same day tickets can be purchased (not recommended) but if you book a same day ticket we cannot guarantee you will be given the exact time you select, we will call you in that event to discuss moving your time slightly to fit our schedule.

Whether you book online or at our Punt Station you will, of course, get a ticket.

Of course you can, that’s no problem at all. We are happy to recommend places to buy food to bring along in the vicinity.

You are very welcome to decorate the punt yourself – however you will need to make sure you take all rubbish and decorations away with you at the end of your tour.

Every day from April to November – unless it is raining very heavily all morning – then it is best to call to check.

YES. There is no minimum age and we can provide life jackets upon request.

They can be loaded onto the punt with you – space / capacity allowing. Or you can leave them with our cashier.

There is no obligation to tip what-so-ever, however if you’ve enjoyed yourself it is common to tip.

If you can sit on the floor and get back up again (even with a bit of help) then you will be just fine.

We can’t wheel a chair onto a punt but it is possible to lift someone into a punt.

Our tours are private and so we can do whatever you’d like, however we’ve got a popular route. We tend to go from Jesus Green up to the Mill Pond and turn round to come back. If you really wanted us to do a slow tour from one end to the other and drop you off this can be arranged.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions we are no longer allowing this option I’m afraid.

Yes you can bring dogs – please do not let then on the cushions directly as their paws can puncture the vinyl. Please keep them under control and be gracious if another customer objects. We will try to rearrange the seating on the boat

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