The best events of the 2024 ball season in Austria

Before the ball
•    Book a hotel
•    Break in new ball shoes
•    Make a hair appointment 
•    Make a manicure & pedicure appointment
•    Practice your dance steps
•    Don’t forget the cufflinks

On the night of the ball
•    Tickets
•    Cash
•    Beauty kit
•    Blister pads
•    Book a taxi

Ball history
Balls used to be veritable upper-class marriage markets. After all, it’s there that debutantes were introduced to marriageable men back then.

Blue Danube Waltz
It’s already more than 150 years ago that the Blue Danube Waltz was first performed in Vienna in early 1876. Johann Strauss’ world-famous melody is not just Austria’s unofficial national anthem but also a vital part of every ballroom event.

Bow tie
The famous bow tie was invented by Duchess Louise de La Vallière, the mistress of Louis XIV. She is said to have been the first to knot a tie into the distinctive “butterfly wings”.  
At a ball, men are advised to wear white bow ties. After all, it’s the ball’s service staff that traditionally wears the black ones.

Candy Ball
At every Bonbon Ball, guests and jury elect the “Miss Bonbon”.

Dance card
On the dance card, female ball guests can note down their dance partners for the individual dances. The first and last dance of the evening are traditionally reserved for your date.

Dress code
Men are advised to wear a dark suit or dinner jacket with a discreet tie or a white bow tie. Those who like it more formal go for a tailcoat with a white shirt and bow tie. For the ladies, it’s either cocktail dress or evening gown.

Flower pinching
At the end of the night, guests are allowed to take home the ball’s floral decoration.

Ladies’ gift
The ladies’ gift is a small present for the female ball guests. Good news for the gents: some balls also have gentlemen’s gifts!

Opera Ball
Looking for a way to spend your money? The most expensive loge at Vienna’s famous Opera Ball can be rented for 20,500 Euros! Throughout the ball night, guests consume a whopping 1,800 pairs of sausages, 800 bottles of champagne and 800 bowls of goulash soup.

Quadrille
The quadrille is a French dance performed by the debutantes and debutants in pairs at midnight.

Taking off your tailcoat or jacket
… is not allowed.

Vienna
Although the tradition was born in France, Austria has become the home of ballroom events.

Wristwatches
… are a no-no at classic ballroom events. Rather go for a pocket watch!