3 Things you need to know about ball season in Vienna

With the Christmas holidays in our rearview and carnival season in full swing, Vienna is the place to be for society fans, dancing lovers and cultural aficionados. If you want to check out the capital of classical music for this special season or just like to get in the mood for fancy nights out – here are 3 things you might want to know about the ball season in Vienna.

During the entire carnival season (from November 11 until Shrove Tuesday), there are more than 400 contemporary balls held in the capital of Austria. 

This tradition goes back to the 18th century, when Emperor Joseph II opened the Hofburg Palace dances (until then, reserved for nobility only) to the general public. The Vienna Congress held in 1814/15, establishing the legendary saying ‘The congress dances!’, as well as the remarkable compositions of Johann Strauss senior, both helped make the balls even more popular.

Many classic ball traditions, such as the Viennese Waltz, the midnight quadrille or strict dress code, are still honored to this day. Enriched with modern forms of entertainment like raffles, DJ music floors or photo booths, these social events bridge classical Vienna with the hip metropolis it is today. A great example is the world-famous Viennese Opera Ball.

Balls in Vienna are very diverse, and so is the required dress code (usually stated in the ball invitation or on the event website). While events like the hip hop ball, techno ball or Life Ball follow their own rules, traditional balls require a more formal attire.

For the ladies, a full-length (meaning: floor length) evening or ball gown is strongly recommended. Ankle or knee length might prove embarrassing depending on the type of ball and location. Accessorize creatively with a clutch, gloves and jewelry. White is a no-go color unless you are a debutante.

Gentlemen may either wear a tuxedo or tailcoat, correctly accessorized with bow tie (white only with a tailcoat!), depending on how formal the event is. Certain more casual events might allow suit and tie as well. If you want to keep it truly traditional, leave the wristwatch and wallet at home and opt for a pocket watch and money clip – very Emperor Franz Joseph!

The general rule is: Carry yourself with elegance, dignity and politeness. Gender equality is left at the front door, if only regarding presents (women receive a ‘ladies’ donation’ at the entrance) and dancing partners (while ladies may decline an invitation to dance, gentlemen may not).

Other than that, the focus is on purely having fun: Knowing how to waltz is an advantage, but no requirement. Mingle and explore, join activities like the midnight quadrille (not to worry, the moves are announced) and have some delicious (if mostly pricy) food. Over-indulging on drinks is generally frowned upon.

Our pro tips for a stress-free night out: If you like to rest your legs, book seats at a table in advance. Wear shoes as comfortable as formal dress code allows. During those fast Waltz turns, fix your eyes to a point in the room as long as possible, then quickly turn your head to the next point to avoid getting dizzy. And finally, after a long night out, stop for a bite to eat at one of Vienna’s many sausage stands – those ‘Wiener Würstel’ somehow taste better in full evening attire.

Are you ready to waltz now? Check out Vienna’s ball calendar here.