The 2024/25 ball season starts next week on November 11th. with the traditional quadrille at the Graben. And both guests and ball organizers are in a good mood for the upcoming fifth season. The number of visitors is based on the high level of the years 2014 to 2020 and the expected sales are higher than ever. “We can once again expect an excellent season with well over half a million ball guests. And this despite the generally increased price level. The Viennese remain loyal to their balls and the international guests make an important contribution to their success. What is particularly pleasing is that the proportion of young people at ball events continues to rise. A fresh cell treatment for the tradition of the Viennese ball season,” says Markus Grießler, chairman of the tourism and leisure sector at the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.
Everything waltz in trade and craft – balls as a turbo for the economy
“The ball season is a crucial source of revenue for Viennese companies,” says Maria Neumann, chairwoman of the trade and craft division at the Vienna Chamber of Commerce: “Many areas are involved, including clothing makers, shoemakers, make-up artists, hairdressers, jewelers, nail designers, security and photographers , lighting and sound technicians or even the cleaning rooms. And don’t forget the floristry, which plays an important role in the ball decoration. The Viennese balls act as a turbocharger for the economy.” According to the SME study, the average ball guest spends around 365 euros, which is an increase of 45 euros compared to the previous year. “The biggest cost factors are the ball tickets including table reservations, which cost an average of 140 euros, as well as food and drinks, which cost around 85 euros. In addition, there are around 50 euros for wardrobe, shoes and accessories, 35 euros each for hairdressing and cosmetics, and around 20 euros each for the dinner before the ball and the taxi ride,” concludes Neumann.
The Vienna Balls generate sales of around 190 million euros
Traditionally, the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and KMU Research Austria conduct a study to assess the prospects for the coming ball season. This year it was even more extensive than last, as in addition to the potential ball guests, the organizers of the most important balls and representatives of the businesses involved in the balls were also interviewed. This brings an even broader picture to the “fifth season,” which begins again next Monday. And this picture is positive: the ball organizers can expect around 520,000 visitors. In total, around 190 million euros are generated through the Vienna Balls.
Craftsmanship of clothing makers – Ball trends 2024/25
The ball fashion for the 2024/25 season brings together a touch of classic and modern. Black, royal blue and emerald green are making a comeback, complemented by delicate pink and purple tones and mauve. The silhouettes are classic, but designed with modern accents such as clean lines and sophisticated cut-outs. Neumann: “Especially when it comes to ball gowns, customers can realize their very personal ideas with their trusted fashion designer. The cut and the model are tailored to the wearer, which brings out the advantages with the perfect fit. The inventiveness and craftsmanship of clothing makers are particularly in demand here. Sustainability is also a key issue. More and more people are investing in long-lasting, versatile clothing such as tailcoats and tuxedos or are having ball dresses creatively redesigned to give them a second life.” Vienna’s hairdressers can also demonstrate their creativity more during the ball season: elegant updos are now in high season. Braided elements give the styling the ultimate glamor look. Tip from the pros: Bring photos and images of the dress to the hairdresser to match the dress and look perfectly.
Visitors are becoming younger and more international, regular guests remain loyal
It is important to maintain and secure the ball tradition for the future. The organizers are doing this very well, as the survey shows. According to them, the number of young people under 25 and students is constantly increasing, which is also reinforced by changes in the program of individual balls. Grießler: “The trend is towards a more varied ball with more attractions such as spectacular midnight performances and away from purely classical dance events. In addition, a large number of tickets are reserved for students.”
The Viennese’s enthusiasm for the ball was high, and that of the guests who had traveled was equal
This year too, almost one in three people surveyed aged 15 and over want to attend a ball, exactly 32 percent of Viennese people. While these Viennese make up a large part of the ball visitors, the rest are made up of the other federal states and, in particular, international guests. Grießler: “Around a quarter of the visitors to the big Viennese balls come from abroad, primarily from European countries, of course, but also many guests from the USA and Japan.”
The reason for the often long journey lies in the image that the Viennese balls have developed both nationally and internationally: “The ball season has established itself as something specific to Vienna; we have developed a unique worldwide selling point here. Both the Viennese and the international guests see this. The Viennese balls represent a combination of tradition and current events as well as Viennese hospitality. They offer entertainment at a high level and the opportunity to transport yourself to times gone by while spending a lovely evening with friends, acquaintances, fellow students and business partners,” says Grießler. Maria Neumann adds: “The Vienna Balls are more than just a social event – they are a living business card of the Viennese economy that carries tradition and craftsmanship into the world. The artistic interplay of Viennese hospitality, high-quality craftsmanship and excellent trade makes Vienna’s ball season a unique experience that attracts guests year after year and establishes the city as a cultural metropolis in Europe.”
The highlights of the ball season
This year’s ball season starts at the beginning of Carnival on November 11th at 11:11 a.m. with the traditional quadrille of the Viennese dance schools at Graben. The ball season ends on Shrove Tuesday, March 4, 2025. More than 450 balls – from very large to very small – take place in Vienna every year, the highlights include:
- Confectioner’s Ball, January 16, 2025
- Vienna Philharmonic Ball, January 23, 2025
- Vienna Jägerball, January 27, 2025
- Coffee Sieder Ball, February 21, 2025
- Vienna Opera Ball, February 27, 2025