Vienna ball season: Let the waltz begin!
The best time of the year begins for ball-goers and dance fans on November 11. The Viennese ball season starts at 11:11 am, just in time for the start of the carnival season (known locally as Fasching), with a public waltz dance on the Graben in the city center. The Vienna ball season reaches its peak in January and February. The old tradition of Carnival balls continues to thrive in the city. While some dancers enjoy following the three-four time of the waltzes, others may prefer letting loose to a disco beat. The melodies of the waltz king Johann Strauss II, who shaped the Viennese ball scene like no other, are an absolute highlight. In his day, dance festivals were booming and Strauss himself was a crowd-puller.
Vienna's ball season offers more than 2,000 hours of dancing.
Each year, the Ball of the Viennese Chimney Sweeps kicks off the ball season. If you're wondering about this ball: in Vienna, it is quite normal for virtually every professional guild to have its own ball. They range from the Confectioners' Ball to the Ball of the Weightlifters.
An especially large number of balls are held at the Imperial Palace in Vienna. These traditional balls adhere to a festive ceremonial pattern. The ladies appear in a long evening gown, the men wear a tuxedo or tails. Young ladies in white dresses and their gentlemen open the ball with a polonaise; the rest of the visitors are only allowed on the dance floor after the proclamation "Alles Walzer!" (Let the waltz begin!). Further show acts and interludes give structure to the night. This includes the popular "Fledermaus" quadrille by Johann Strauss. This is performed by the public to the instructions of dance teachers and ends to everyone's amusement in a complete muddle.
The Doctors’ Ball and the Lawyers’ Ball are among the most time-honored balls held at Vienna’s Hofburg. Guests attend the Hunters’ Ball at the Hofburg dressed in traditional festive attire. The Coffeehouse Owners’ Ball is considered particularly atmospheric. The Ukrainian Charity Ball brings the ball season at Vienna’s Hofburg to a close. The proceeds will support aid projects in Ukraine.
May we have the next dance?
The Opera Ball at the Vienna State Opera has long been legendary. On this day, visitors have the unique opportunity to see the famous opera house on the Ringstrasse boulevard not only from the spectators' seats but actually experience it "backstage" surrounded by many music celebrities. With its prominent guests ranging from artists to the federal president, the Opera Ball is even broadcast live on TV.
The Vienna Philharmonic invites dancers to its ball at the Wiener Musikverein. However, at this event the musicians of this world-famous orchestra can only be found with their instruments during the introduction. Because even the performers of the Vienna Philharmonic want to shake a leg now and then. The impressive premises of the Vienna Music Society are also the venue for the Industry and Technology Ball.
Vienna’s City Hall is transformed into a huge sea of flowers during the Vienna City Gardens Flower Ball. Prior to this, guests also have the opportunity to shake a leg at the New Year’s Eve Gala in the City Hall. The Vienna Ball of Sciences likewise takes place in the City Hall.
Everything comes to an end ...
The end of the ball also follows a traditional ritual: the light in the ballroom is dimmed, the band plays a slow waltz as everyone leaves. In Vienna, lively nights at the ball end at a sausage stand or over goulash in a coffee house.
- Vienna Chimney Sweepers’ Ball: November 13, 2026
rauchfangkehrerball.wien - New Year’s Eve Gala at Vienna City Hall: December 31, 2026
silvestergala.com - Confectioners’ Ball: January 14, 2027
www.zuckerbaeckerball.com - Flower Ball: January 15, 2027
www.wiens-gartenverein.com - Vienna Philharmonic Ball: January 21, 2027
www.wienerphilharmoniker.at - Coffee Brewers’ Ball: January 22, 2027
www.kaffeesiederball.at - Ball of Industry and Technology: January 23, 2027
ball.techniker-cercle.at - Vienna Ball of Sciences: January 23, 2027
www.wissenschaftsball.at - Hunter’s Ball: January 25, 2027
www.verein-grueneskreuz.at - Doctors’ Ball: January 30, 2027
www.aerzteball.at - Opera Ball: February 4, 2027
www.wiener-staatsoper.at - Lawyers’ Ball: February 6, 2027
www.juristenball.at - Ukrainian Charity Ball: February 11, 2027
www.ukrainianball.at
