The Vienna Ball - Viennesse Ball

Vienna is the only place in the world where Balls, as opposed to the smaller modern dinner dance, still rule the social life of winter.

The Viennesse Balls take place in the Hofburg Palace, (from where the 'Habsburgs' once reigned over the Austro Hungarian Empire), and also in concert halls and in the famous Opera House under the glittering chandeliers and amongst mirrors which multiply the hundreds of dancers into thousands. Balls where evening dress is de rigueur, where each debutante wears a little crown just like a prima ballerina. Where women carry fans, and music and champagne blend with their jewels and laughter.

To the casual visitor there is something unreal in these balls. We are not accustomed to such romanticism. But a hundred years ago every court in Europe held receptions such as these; London, Paris, all the capital cities had their Ball seasons in the days when the guests arrived in their own carriages with their coats of arms painted on the doors. Nowadays we only know this form of gaiety from films and plays or as the backdrop of operetta. Could it ever have existed outside the frontiers of Ruritania? It did, and it does, in Vienna even to this day.

The Viennesse ball season starts with the New Year's Eve Imperial Ball (Kaiserball) at the Hofburg and ends with the Opera Ball in February. But there are now other Balls running until the month of June.

Austrian Airlines offer return flights to Vienna from only £98, so don’t leave it too late to visit Vienna and experience the Ball for yourself.

Information is copyright of Virtual Vienna.

For everything you need to know about the Ball season dates and the history of the Viennesse Ball just click on our photo link.

Experience the romance of the Ball for yourself. Book a flight to Vienna from only £98 return