Explore the Magic of Vienna

Reservation Deadline for Group B Hofburg Ball: Friday, June 27, 2025

Reservation Deadline for Group A: Sept. 15, 2025

Following our two previous trips, we are once again gearing up for a trip to enjoy Vienna’s ball season. However, we are now offering two packages, one for the Vienna Philharmonic Ball and one for a traditional ball at the Hofburg. This time, we will witness the Imperial palace turning into the largest coffee house of the world as a tribute to Vienna’s famous coffee house culture. Please read on to learn more. 

Important note: Viennese balls do not include dinner and start late (between 9: 30 and 10 pm). Food can be purchased, but it is recommended that you have a light dinner before attending the ball. 

Group A: Vienna Philharmonic Ball including dance lesson at Elmayer’s, dinner, and tour of Schloss Schönbrunn, the magnificent summer residence of the Habsburg monarchs, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral including the catacombs, tower, and the Dom Museum Wien

$1,199 per person
Limit: 16 people, minimum 8 participants

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026

• Tour of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the imposing Gothic church, its catacombs that house the tombs of Austria’s rulers from the 13th through the 17th centuries, a trip up the tower with a magnificent view of the city, and a visit of the Dom Museum, which provides an overview of the cathedral’s and the city’s history — Time TBD
• Private Ballroom Dance Lesson at Vienna’s renowned Elmayer Dance School to prepare for the ball. The lesson will include the famous Fledermausquadrille, which is a must at every Viennese ball and will be announced by Prof. Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer at both events. — Time TBD

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026

• Guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its beautiful great gallery, ceremonial rooms, and private quarters of Empress Maria Theresia with a professional tour guide. This will allow you to explore this beautiful baroque residence and its many famous inhabitants. Empress Elisabeth, the famous Sisi who was known for her beauty and eccentric behaviour, reportedly enjoyed the palace and the gardens of Schönbrunn. Other historic residents include the ill-fated Queen of France Marie Antoinette, the daughter of Maria Theresia, and French Emperor Napoleon. This tour is approx. 3 hours, and involves climbing a few flights of stairs. Once again, we are limited to 16 people.
• Dinner at a Viennese restaurant to sample the delights of Viennese cuisine

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026

Join us for a night of splendor and dancing until dawn in the Golden Hall of Vienna’s Musikverein, the concert hall of the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Enjoy a beautiful opening ceremony with debutantes directed by the renowned Elmayer Dance School in Vienna. Click here to watch a video of a previous ball. Celebrity guests in 2025 included Canadian actor and TV host Eugene Levy and opera singer Anna Netrebko. Please note that the dress code for this ball is strictly white tie and tails aka full evening dress for gentlemen, and floor-length ball gowns for ladies. You cannot be overdressed. 

Please note that we are limited to 16 people for this event. 

Admission: 9:00 PM
Opening Ceremony Beginning: 10:00 PM
Ball ends: 5:00 AM — The Viennese then eat breakfast at one of the many cafés or pick up a sausage at a Würstlstand.

We suggest arriving on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 so you can adjust to the six-hour time difference. Flights from the United States to Europe are always overnight, and arrive in Vienna in the morning or early afternoon if you have a layover. The Schwechat Airport is just a short drive from the city. A list of suggested hotels at various price levels can be found below. Breakfast is often included, but please be sure to check the hotel’s Website.

This package is limited to 16 participants. Please note that we can only finalize the itinerary in October. The reservation deadline is Monday, Sept. 15. We expect this event to sell out, so please reserve your seat quickly. Please note that the minimum number of participants is 12; we will not be able to offer this trip if we don’t meet the minimum and you will receive a refund. 

COST: $1,199 per person

Click here to watch a video of the opening ceremony at the Musikverein.

Group B: Traditional Viennese Ball in the Rooms of the Imperial Palace including dance lesson, dinner, and tours — $1,049 per person
Limit: 16 people; minimum of 8 participants is required.

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026

• Guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its beautiful great gallery, ceremonial rooms, and private quarters of Empress Maria Theresia with a professional tour guide. This will allow you to explore this beautiful baroque residence once home to many famous inhabitants. Empress Elisabeth, the famous Sisi who was known for her beauty and eccentric behaviour, reportedly enjoyed the palace and the gardens of Schönbrunn. Other historic residents include the ill-fated Queen of France Marie Antoinette, the daughter of Maria Theresia, and French Emperor Napoleon. This tour is approx. 3 hours, and involves climbing a few flights of stairs. Once again, we are limited to 16 people.
• Dinner at a Viennese restaurant to sample the delights of Viennese cuisine

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026

• Tour of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the imposing Gothic church, its catacombs that house the tombs of Austria’s rulers from the 13th through the 17th centuries, a trip up the tower with a magnificent view of the city, and a visit to the Dom Museum, which provides an overview of the cathedral’s and the city’s history — Time TBD
• Private Ballroom Dance Lesson at Vienna’s renowned Elmayer Dance School to prepare for the ball. The lesson will include the famous Fledermausquadrille, which is a must at every Viennese ball. The Quadrille will be announced by Prof. Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer, owner of Vienna’s most famous dance school.– Time TBD
  

Friday, Jan. 23, 2025

The reservation includes a bottle of champagne at each table. The dress code is either white or black tie for gentlemen and a long ball gown for the ladies. For attire tips, take a look at this entertaining video (in German only) with etiquette expert Prof. Schäfer-Elmayer.

Ball Program:

• 7:30 PM: Admission to the ball begins, which leaves you plenty of time to enjoy a light dinner.
• 9 PM: Fanfare and festive opening ceremony, choreographed by the Elmayer Dance School, which includes the presentation of debutantes in the main hall is followed by music and dancing.
• Midnight: You will be treated to a special Midnight Show 
• 12:30 AM: 1st public quadrille in the main ballroom. This fun group dance consists of six parts, and is performed to the music of Johann Strauss’s operetta “Die Fledermaus”.
• 2:30 AM: 2nd public quadrille under the direction of Prof. Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer.
• 4:30 AM: Ball ends. The Viennese then gather at one of the many cafés of the city for an early breakfast. 

COST: $1,049 per person

Suggested Hotels:

• Pension Lerner – a small B&B in the heart of the old city with easy access to the many sights. 
• Hotel Pertschy – traditional Viennese hotel located in the 17th-century Palais Cavriani, and just minutes from the Imperial Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral
• Graben Hotel – classic Viennese city hotel in an 18th century building, redesigned in 1913, it served as a popular meeting point for the literary scene from 1913-1919; Peter Altenberg, Franz Kafka and Max Brod were regular guests.
• Hotel Sacher – the quintessential Viennese 5-star hotel located directly behind the Vienna State Opera House.
• Palais Coburg – a luxurious five-star hotel in a converted mid-19th century palace.