Viennese ballroom dancing has a long tradition and is still popular among old and young people alike. Going to a ball is an old social event which has survived until these days: many Viennese teenagers are still eager to learn how to dance the waltz as the dance carries an important social meaning to it.

The ball season runs from November 11 to June, with most balls held in January and February during the Fasching (Carnival). Usually, balls are organized by a certain professional group or a particular institution: for instance, there are the Zuckerbäckerball (Confectioners' Ball), the Jägerball (Hunters’ Ball), the Kaffeesiederball (Coffee Brewers' Ball), the Philharmonikerball (Philharmonic Orchestra's ball) or the Opernball (Opera's Ball).

The Hofburg, the Staatsoper, and the Musikverein are the city's most illustrious locations to enjoy a ball. However, be advised that balls are very conservative events. Usually, all balls have a very strict dress code: you might not be admitted to some places even if you wear a black suit! If you plan to go, better inform yourself in advance.

Vienna's top ball is undoubtedly the Opera Ball, held on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday at the State Opera House and broadcast live on Austrian television. With about 5.000 guests at the Opera on that evening, you can guess that the dance floor gets quite crowded. Additionally, this kind of fun does not come cheap. Simple tickets for the Opera Ball cost 210 Euro; a table for four people costs 581 Euro; a private box costs almost 16.000 Euro. No wonder that the Opera Ball is a meeting place for the richest of the rich!

If your waltzing skills are rusty or the prices too high for your budget, you can still have an entertaining evening on the night of the ball: you can participate in the "Opera Ball demonstration". Left-wing and anarchistic groups rally in front of the Staatsoper to protest against the shameless show of pomp and splendor carried out inside the building. Nowadays this "alternative" event can almost be considered a tradition, as much as the ball itself. If you want to join the protesters, don't forget to bring eggs and tomatoes!

For more information on the Opera Ball, visit:
http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Content.Node2/home/opernball/192.php (in German)

For a complete calendar of Viennese balls, you can use this webpage:
http://www.top.wien.at/ballkalender/ (in German)

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