Il Ballo del Doge

The ball's name derives from the title of the elected heads (Doge, "Duke" in English) who ruled Venice up until the fall of the Venetian republic in the 18th century.

Over the years the entertainment has included performances by opera singers, musicians, burlesque artists and characters from the Commedia dell'Arte.

Attendees throughout the years defined it as the most sumptuous, refined and exclusive masquerade event in the world, and one of the one-hundred things everyone should do at least once in their lifetime.

"[1] Guests have included members of European, Middle Eastern and Asian royal families, celebrities, and leaders in international business and finance.

Il Ballo del Doge is covered by the international press; TV programmes, newspapers, and magazines from all over the world have reported on the event.