Because waltz isn’t the only way to dance
Go to an alternative Viennese Ball in February
When you’re walking around central Vienna in January and February, you’ll very often encounter people slightly overdressed for a regular night out. Well, if the overdressed outfit includes a tuxedo, or a gown, the chances are these people are going to a Viennese Ball, drinking fancy drinks from fancy glasses, dancing the waltz and pretending the Habsburgs never got booted out of power. Yes, the Balls in the Hofburg and other palatial locations have been around ever since white, curly toupées were in fashion, and like many things in this city, the traditions haven’t changed much. Still, every year some alternative events pop up piggybacking these balls in alternative locations, with less rules and a more contemporary atmosphere. Like these, for example:
Vegan Ball
When: SAT, February 15, 5:30pm
Where: Arcotel Kaiserwasser
Entry: 25–29€, buy a ticket
If you’re vegan, this ball allows you to feel fancy without having to feel like you’re starving during an event, because all of the food at the gala dinner (NB: not included in the entry fee) is vegan, waiting to be consumed by you! And if you’re not vegan, this could be an inspirational evening for you! But, like most events during the ball season, this evening is about dancing and having a good time while feeling pretty. If you’re not convinced yet, there will be goodie bags for everyone! Who doesn’t love free stuff?
Wiener Flüchtlingsball – The Refugee Ball
When: SAT, February 22, 8pm
Where: Rathaus
Entry: 44,60–50,10€, buy a ticket
The Viennese Refugee Ball is hosted in one of our favourite party locations in town: the Rathaus (city hall). Its generous space will be hosting the biggest world music party around, with beats alternating from Gypsy Punk to Hungarian speed-Funk, some Jazzy vibes, lots of Folklore tunes and many other weird and wonderful mixes that will get the crowd up and dancing for hours. If you want to celebrate diversity, inclusion and simply being human in today’s world, this is your event!
Recommended if you like: when old meets new, travelling, trying something different, when finally a unique kind of party turns up in town
Rudolfina-Redoute
When: MON, February 24, 7:30pm
Where: Hofburg
Entry: 105€ (45€ for students), buy a ticket
This ball is all about secrecy. Maybe not in that secret agent kind of way that you’re imagining right now, but it’s still pretty badass! It’s the biggest and most mysterious masked ball in Vienna! And as if a ball with tradition since 1899 wasn’t already fancy enough, this event is happening at the Hofburg. Go there and feel like a real king or queen!
