Vienna, the ball season

Nowhere is winter as ceremonious as in Vienna: the Neujahrskonzert opens the year, the ball of the Philharmoniker carries it on, the Opernball crowns it. Places are won more than they are bought: ballots, registration windows, quotas. The ballot guide explains the mechanics; here are the dates.

• Friday 1 January 2027 at 11:15
  Neujahrskonzert der Wiener Philharmoniker 2027
  Goldener Saal of the Musikverein, worldwide ballot: the New Year's Concert remains the rarest key to Vienna.
• Thursday 21 January 2027: doors at 9 pm, start at 10 pm, close at 5 am
  84. Ball der Wiener Philharmoniker
  The only ball where the New Year's Concert orchestra comes down from the stage to set its guests dancing, beneath the gilding of the Musikve
• Thursday 4 February 2027: doors at 20:15, opening at 22:00, ends at 05:00
  69. Wiener Opernball
  Europe's most-watched night: the Vienna Opera turned into a ballroom, white tie compulsory, boxes at 27 000 €.