THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE ATTENDING A VIENNESE BALL

Sun January 12, 2020

Nowhere are balls celebrated so majestically and splendidly as in Vienna, and this tradition has continued for many decades. Viennese Balls are the most glamorous annual galas and a high-key social events. Many international celebrities from the world of culture, art, business, politics and sports attend the Viennese Balls to celebrate the night with the orchestra of Vienna Philharmonic, Vienna State Opera and the Vienna State Ballet.

Each year more than 450 balls take place in Vienna, but the Vienna ball season reaches its peak from January until end of February. It’s lot of fun and there is a ball for everyone’s taste.

As a huge fan of Viennese Ball, I am lucky to live in the city of Walz, where I can attend the elegant events for more than a decade. It’s all about music, dancing, getting the dress codes right, expressing the prestige, class and high premium quality events.

However, before purchasing a ticket to your first ball, there are few things you need to know before you attend any of the Viennese Balls:

DRESS ACCORDINGLY

Viennese say “The ball dress code is your ticket.” Following the tradition I always wear a glamorous floor-length dress, combined with matching accessories. The dress code for the gentlemen is a tuxedo or a white tie (Frack), and a formal, floor-length dress for the ladies. If you are not dressed accordingly, you won’t be able to enter the ball.

TAKE DANCING LESSONS

It’s all about music and dancing, therefore it’s nice to dance the Viennese Waltz. Taking dancing lessons and learning how to dance the Viennese Walz, foxtrot and the boogie is even more fun when you attend the balls.

Most of the big Viennese balls have an orchestra, big bands and DJs, so you can dance to different dances to different kind of music. The fun part of the evening starts at midnight, when the fin de siècle quadrille starts. This popular dance started in the late 1800s, and since then it’s a tradition of the Viennese balls. Book your classic dance lessons inspired by Vienna’s balls and festivities or any other dance class for you and your partner.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKET ON TIME

Ball tickets must be purchased in advance, click here to see the ball calendar for 2020.

EAT BEFORE YOU GO TO THE BALL

At most of Vienna balls the food is not only expensive, but not even the best. Not to mention vegetarian, vegan or gluten free food – you might starve all night long. So I would recommend you to dine somewhere else first, and go to the ball by 9:30 PM and arrive on time to watch the opening ceremony at 10 PM.

WHICH ARE THE BEST BALLS IN VIENNA?

Since 2009, I attend balls every season. So I have been to different balls, but these are my personal favorites: