We are fast approaching the biggest and best student night of the year: the Summer Ball 2024! 

Thousands of students will be attending this incredible event on Saturday 18th May 2024, to enjoy a packed programme of entertainment, including live music, amazing artists, food stalls and so much more.

A map of the Summer Ball 2024 can be found at the bottom of this article.

When and where

The Summer Ball takes place on the University of Plymouth campus. The site extends from the Mary Newman Building through to the Roland Levinsky Building (RLB). There are several central areas the event will make use of, including Glanville Street (between Roland Levinsky, Smeaton and Scott), the Main Hall, Portland Square, the Link Building, and the Students' Union, including the roof.

Set up for the Summer Ball will start the week commencing Tuesday 14th May.

Access to campus buildings included in the Summer Ball site.

Tuesday 14th – Friday 17th May

There will be no access to walk across two sections of the SU roof from Tuesday 14th - Friday 17th May due to two marquees being installed, however, a walkway between the SU and the Library will be maintained. 

The SU Shop and Loafers will remain open as usual. 

Saturday 18th May (day of Summer Ball) 

Access to the Roland Levinsky Building is available through normal routes/entrances until 3pm, from 3pm access to Roland Levinsky will be restricted to Cobourg Street. 

Roland Levinsky Building will be closed from Saturday 18th May, 6pm – Sunday 19th May, 8am. 

From 3pm on Saturday 18th May, there will be no access to the Summer Ball site from the Endsleigh Place entrance down to RLB.

Buildings will be accessible to staff up to 3pm on Saturday 18th May on presentation of their staff ID card, although it might not be via the usual route. Signage will be present on the day to advise of the diverted route.

From Saturday 18th May 7pm until Sunday 19th May 4am there will be no access to areas of campus which are included in the Summer Ball site during the event unless in the case of an emergency.

Any member of staff wishing to access buildings contained within the Summer Ball site on campus after 6pm should contact Event Control for access: 07875 299757

Parking on campus

Parking space will be limited during the setup and take down of the Summer Ball event as well as during the event itself on Saturday 18th May.  

Parking will be unavailable as follows: 

• Roland Levinsky – Thursday 16th May 5pm until Monday 20th May 9am 

• Fitzroy - Thursday 16th May 5pm until Sunday 19th May 9am 

• Mary Newman - Friday 17th May 5pm until Sunday 19th May 9am 

 
If you are preparing to move out of your on-campus student accommodation (Mary Newman and Francis Drake Halls) on the weekend of the Summer Ball, please be aware that there will be more traffic on campus than usual and parking will be limited. If you have any concerns please contact uniaccommodation@plymouth.ac.uk

Cycle racks 

All cycle racks on the Summer Ball site will be unavailable from Saturday 18th May from 3pm. Please ensure any bikes are removed from this area before 3pm on Saturday 18th May as they will not be accessible during the event. Alternative cycle racks can be found outside the Marine Building and the UPSU gym. 

Using the Library 

The Library will remain open throughout the event but some entrances will have restricted access due to the Summer Ball site. The Main Entrance will not be open from 3pm on Saturday 18th May and access will be via the bottom Library entrance (What 3 words: ///green.clip.status) via James Street and the Brunel Building.   

Due to the Fitzroy car park being out of bounds a temporary fire assembly point for the library will be the corner of Marine building Fire Assembly point D.

Please be aware that there will be higher noise levels throughout the duration of the Summer Ball event, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Accessing on-campus accommodation 

Access for residents of the Mary Newman building will be maintained at all times throughout the set up and duration of the event. The Mary Newman car park will be accessible throughout the set up of the event, however, from 7pm on Friday 17th May parking will be unavailable apart from Blue Badge holders. 

If you are a resident and are planning to move out of your accommodation the weekend of Saturday 18th May please be aware that there will restricted access to parking and the University of Plymouth campus. 

Due to the Fitzroy carpark being out of bounds a temporary fire assembly point for the Mary Newman building will be in the Physic Garden at Portland Villas.

Noise on campus

Sound checks will take place from 12pm on Saturday 18th May but there may be minimal sporadic noise on Friday 17th May while the stages are set up and sound systems tested. Every effort will be made to keep this to a minimum so as not to disturb students and staff working on campus. There will also be the construction of marquees and rigging from Tuesday 14th May.

On the night of the Summer Ball outdoor performances will finish no later than 12:30am and entertainment inside the marquees will end at 2am. Finally, acts will be performing inside the Students’ Union and in Davy Main Hall until the event closes at 4am.

Congestion on campus 

There will be increased vehicle movements on campus during W/C 13th May during the build-up, which may also result in congestion especially around the SU.

Please keep in mind that there is likely to be some congestion on campus North Road between 7pm and 10pm on Saturday 18th May.

If you have any questions regarding the Summer Ball or access on campus please get in touch with us: summerball@upsu.com 

Map of the Summer Ball 2024: