Vienna Opera Ball

The tradition of the ball goes back to 1814 during the time when the crowned heads of Europe and the aristocracy searched for entertainment after the Napoleonic wars.

It is the highlight of the season, with the heads of state and government, the political and industrial elite, members of the high society, and their guests attending.

Starting in 1987, the Opernballdemo, a left-wing demonstration along the Ringstraße against the kind of capitalism represented by, as the protesters see it, many of the elite attending the ball, has regularly taken place on the same night.

On the eve of the event, the rows of seats are removed from the stalls, and a new floor, level with the stage, is built.

The last dance of the debutantes is always the Blue Danube Viennese Waltz by Johann Strauss II, after which the floor is opened to all guests.

The opera house offers all access to the guests, with various other rooms and lounges open with different types of music and dance.

In 1995 Austrian writer Josef Haslinger published a novel entitled Opernball in which thousands of people are killed in a Neo-Nazi terrorist attack taking place during that society event.

In it, San Marinese participants Michele Perniola and Anita Simoncini attend an evening at the ball.

"Viennese balls" outside of Austria are held in Paris, New York, Moscow, Stockholm, Dubai, Timișoara, etc.