Saturday, November 28th – The Annual Society Dinner: Special 20th Anniversary Edition

Date: Saturday, November 28th
Time: 18.30 onwards
Place: Hotel Arena, ‘s-Gravesandestraat 55, 1092 AA Amsterdam

Dress Code: Black tie is preferred.

The venue. Located in In Amsterdam’s beautiful Oosterpark, the monumental, intimate Hotel Arena is the stunning venue of year’s event. Yet, it is more than just a hotel. Its showpiece is the Chapel, built in 1886, which provides a unique athmosphere. We will dine between frescos and marble columns, in a setting suitable for our 20th anniversary. Before the dinner, drinks will be served on the mezzanine, which lets us take in a stunning view of the chapel from higher up. 

As every year, we welcome alumni and their guest(s) to join us for our traditional society dinner. This year, however, the dinner will also be a celebration of the society’s 20th anniversary. The evening will therefore be extended – following the welcome reception and a delicious three-course meal, a second drinks reception and a dance floor will provide ample opportunity for mingling and/or dancing the night away.

As every year, we welcome alumni and their guest(s) to join us for our traditional society dinner. The event will comprise pre-dinner drinks followed by a delicious three-course meal including a special wine arrangement within the splendour of KIT’s Marble Hall with 12 special types of Marble from Tuscany and a keynote speaker. 

Guest Speaker – Judge Phoebe Okowa

Judge Phoebe Okowa is a Kenyan international lawyer who has served as a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague since 2025. She studied law at the University of Nairobi before undertaking the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) at the University of Oxford, Wadham College, then completing her doctoral thesis (D.Phil.) at Oxford under the supervision of Sir Ian Brownlie. 

Prior to her election to the Court, she was Professor of Public International Law and Director of Graduate Studies at Queen Mary University of London. Alongside her academic career, she served as counsel and legal adviser to governments and non-governmental organisations in matters of public international law and international dispute resolution. She was the first African woman to serve on the United Nations International Law Commission and is a member of the Institut de Droit International. Her expertise spans public international law, state responsibility, environmental law and international dispute resolution.

Agenda

18:30 – 19:30: Networking and Opening Drinks

19:30 – 22:30: Three-course meal including a special wine arrangement

Speaker remarks

22:30 – 00:30: Post-dinner drinks & dancing

No need to rush out after the dinner. Continue your conversations, mingle with other guests.

This year we have rented to venue past midnight, allowing everyone to stay a bit longer if they wish. Drinks can be purchased from the cash bar. For those daring, music will invite us to some (optional) dancing.

Imporant information:

Please note that the drinks consumed at the post-dinner reception are not included in the price of the ticket (cash bar). The pre-dinner drinks are, of course, included. All attendees will be required to bring a valid I.D. with them, which will be checked against the guest list ahead of entry. Hence, please state your full name as on your I.D. document. Please also note that changes to the programme may occur. We do encourage early booking given the venue capacity.

00:30: Carriages await

Menu Choices & Tickets

Menu. This year we operate on a main menu. 

  • Starter – Smoked duck with horseradish, honey and macadamia nuts
  • Main Course – Guinea fowl suprême with parsnip, mushrooms and poultry cream sauce
  • Dessert – Dark chocolate mousse with blackcurrant coulis, pomegranate and hazelnuts

Individuals who are vegetarian, vegan or have other dietary requirements can indicate this at the check-out. An alternative menu will be served.

Ticket prices & guest limit. Ticket prices & guest limit. There will be a price advantage for those booking your ticket(s) before October 31st. Prices depend on time of booking. So, do make sure to get your tickets early, if you wish to attend. Members may bring guests.

Early Booking Pricing (until October 30th):

Society Member – 119,00 EUR | Guest of Society Member – 129,00 EUR | First-time Attendee – 129,00 EUR | Student – 70 EUR | Sister Society Member (& Guest) – 139,00 EUR

Regular pricing will apply for tickets booked after October 30th:

Society Member – 136,00 EUR | Guest of Society Member – 146,00 EUR | First-time Attendee – 146,00 EUR | Student – 70 EUR | Sister Society Member – 156,00 EUR

Ticket Categories. 

  • Society Member. Requires current membership for 2026 (get membership here)
  • Guest Ticket. Guest of current member who is attending. State the name upon check-out.
  • Sister Society Ticket. If you are a member of a sister society (e.g. Oxford Belgium), please also use this category and clearly state your sister organisation.
  • First-time Attendee . If this is your first time attending an OxBridge NL Event, use this category (NL-based alumni only).
  • Student. Student members can choose this category. 

Transport. Hotel Arena and its Chapel are easily accessible by public transport, only a 20 min tram ride away from Amsterdam Centraal. There are also parking garages in proximity. 

Booking deadline & cancellation policy. The last day for obtaining tickets is November 12th 2026. Please note that ticket cancellation is also only possible until this date.*Tickets may well be cancelled after, however, there will be no refund. We will operate a waitlist, so these types of cancellations may be refunded if a suitable replacement is found.