Welcome to the ball season

Each year more than 450 balls take place in Vienna. The city of waltzes exuberantly celebrates Carnival in January and February. The three-quarter rhythm is supplemented by more contemporary sounds, offering enjoyable dancing for every taste.

In Vienna, the ball season reaches its peak in January and February. The old tradition of carnival balls continues to thrive in the city. While some dancers enjoy following the three-quarter time of the waltzes, others may prefer letting loose to a disco beat.

The opening of the ball season is the Vienna Red Cross Ball in City Hall (November 15, 2013). On New Year’s Eve, in the glorious ambience at the Hofburg, Le Grand Bal ushers in the New Year with dancing. Numerous other famous ball events are held in the Hofburg as well: the Hunter’s Ball (January 27, 2014), the Doctors’ Ball (January 25, 2014) and the Jurists’ Ball (March 1, 2014).

The Coffee-house Owners’ Ball (Feb. 21, 2014) is one of the most atmospheric. Each year it brings about 5,000 visitors to Vienna’s Imperial Palace and into the Redoutensäle. Many of the guests end the night at Café Landtmann, to which they are transported in a fiaker shuttle, true to style.

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