Arriving at the opera house
When you entered the Vienna Opera Ball 2025, you immediately felt the magic in the air. Limousines were jammed up in front of the opera building, flashlights lit up the red carpet and elegant robes and tailcoats moved towards the entrance. In the foyer, the magnificent floral arrangements impressed with colorful arrangements, and even fruit and vegetables were part of the decoration. This playful world of colors gave the room a fresh atmosphere and made it shine in a warm glow. The heart beat a bit faster because the shooting event of the year was imminent.
Arriving at the opera house is always a special experience. The majestic atmosphere and historic aura envelop you as soon as you enter the building. Magnificent foyers, elegant staircases and the soft light of the chandeliers immediately captivate you. The anticipation is palpable when the guests gather — smartly dressed, ready for an unforgettable night. There is something magical about expecting a great evening together, whether it's a classical opera or a modern piece. The excitement is in the air. A moment of peace and quiet to enjoy the ambiance and perhaps drink a glass of sparkling wine at the bar is simply part of it. Because before the curtain falls and the music starts, being amazed at the art form is already part of the experience.
Prominent guests and unexpected scenes
The Vienna Opera Ball 2025 once again attracted top-class guests from politics, culture and society to the magnificent halls of the Vienna State Opera. Walking through the impressive corridors, you met familiar faces, accompanied by the clink of fine champagne glasses and a happy reunion.
Among the guests of honor was Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, who came together with his wife Doris and the “Scientist of the Year,” the renowned climate economist Sigrid Stagl. Vienna's mayor Michael Ludwig and former chancellor Sebastian Kurz took just a few steps behind, engaged in lively conversation.
But an unexpected event caused great excitement on the red carpet: Suddenly, a tangible dispute broke out between two young men. In front of the astonished ball guests, they started at each other, rolled across the carpet — it almost seemed to be a brawl! Everyone held their breath for a moment: Was that the well-known German TV presenter Klaas Heufer-Umlauf who was involved in the dispute?
Fortunately, the situation resolved quickly: The alleged scandal turned out to be a staged PR stunt. An influencer had deliberately provoked the scene with a doppelganger from Heufer-Umlauf in order to create topics of conversation. After the initial shock, the outrage quickly gave way to a smile — and the topic dominated the evening's discussions.
The grand opening every three quarters: Vienna Opera Ball 2025
As I took my seat at one of the elegantly set tables in the parquet area, the lights dropped and a celebratory murmur went through the hall. The excitement was palpable, as this year's opening had a very special motto: On the occasion of Johann Strauss's 200th birthday, the Viennese waltz became the central theme of the evening.
The spectacle began with the ceremonial opening of the Committee of Young Women and Young Gentlemen. A first in the history of the 67th Vienna Opera Ball: For the first time, a same-sex men was also represented among the 144 brilliant debutante couples. As they strode gracefully across the floor, the musicians of the Vienna State Opera began — and with the legendary “Kaiserwalzer” by Johann Strauss began the dance homage to the waltz king.
A magical opera ball moment: music, dance and big emotions
The State Opera Ballet, choreographed by ballet director Martin Schläpfer, took the audience into a world full of grace and elegance. Twenty dancers whirled across the floor in perfect harmony — a moment full of Viennese melancholy, “cheering on top of the sky and grieving to death.” I felt goosebumps, this image was so moving.
But the musical peak had not yet been reached: The celebrated star soprano Nadine Sierra enthralled with the sparkling “Spring Voice Waltz” before none other than tenor legend Juan Diego Flórez performed the famous aria “Bella Enamorada” with his powerful voice.
A tongue-in-cheek finale rounded off the opening: Sierra, Flórez and ensemble members Maria Nazarova and Daniel Jenz together voted “Alle maskiert” from Strauss' operetta A night in Venice on — an atmospheric revelation of the evening's secret motto:
“Where fun and where madness and pleasure reign”
By now, it was no longer keeping anyone in their seats — the first guests were in each other's arms, the ball was officially on, and the Vienna Ball Night 2025 was on its lively run.
Waltz frenzy and quadrille fever: Vienna Opera Ball 2025
Then came the long-awaited moment: With the legendary words “Alles waltz! “The 67th Vienna Opera Ball was officially opened — and the guests did not allow themselves to be asked twice. The orchestra sang the world-famous Danube waltz, and hundreds of couples immediately flocked onto the dance floor.
The initial tension dropped — suddenly the entire ballroom was in motion. The atmosphere was relaxed, the parquet was transformed into a single sea of swirling skirts and elegant skirts. I myself shot three-quarter time with my dance partner, surrounded by smiling faces. Everywhere I heard, “Oh, sorry! “— when hoop skirts touched each other by chance, followed by hearty laughter.
Remembering Richard Lugner and top-class star guests
Between two waltzes, I looked up into the boxes. The guests of honor applauded in time, including the Lugner family, who made a very special gesture this year: For the first time in over 30 years, builder Richard Lugner, who died in 2024, was absent. In his honor, a seat in the family box was symbolically vacant — a moving homage to the icon of the Vienna Opera Ball.
Street artist and DJ Alec Monopoly took a seat in the Lugner lodge as a special guest — a contrasting accent to the traditional waltz atmosphere. But even in the Swarovski box, the cameras flashed incessantly: supermodel Candice Swanepoel and Leni Klum, Heidi Klum's daughter, were among the international star guests. Leni Klum in particular was at the center of media interest and was accompanied at every turn by camera teams.
Quadrille fever: tradition meets exuberant joy
As the hours flew by, another highlight of ball night was approaching: At midnight, the traditional bat quadrille was called. Hand in hand with complete stranger ball guests, I followed the dance master's calls — sometimes forwards, sometimes backwards, sometimes in circles. It was wonderfully chaotic, full of energy and laughter, especially when someone missed the mission again.
After this enthralling quadrille, many guests were drawn to the bars or side rooms to recharge their batteries for a moment — but very few lasted long there. The next waltz soon rang out and the floor filled up again. Until the early hours of the morning, we whirled through the rooms of the Vienna State Opera, changing dance partners and locations.
The mix of tradition and modernity was the special charm of this Vienna Ball Night 2025: While people were dancing to classic sounds in the sumptuous halls up in the magnificent halls, the club in the basement was transformed into a vibrant party zone with current hits. Between waltz sounds and pop music, between historical elegance and contemporary flair, a night full of magic was created — a ball night that is only possible in Vienna.
Culinary highlights and ball delights at the Vienna Opera Ball 2025
A dancing evening makes you hungry — fortunately, for one night, the Vienna State Opera also turned into a land of milk and milk and honey. On every floor, buffets, bars and gourmet stalls tempted with fine delicacies.
I started the evening with a classic goulash soup, which should not be missed at any Viennese ball — hearty, spicy and just the thing after the first few rounds on the floor. But my culinary curiosity was sparked: In the former orchestral dressing room, the team from the top restaurant Steirereck had opened an exclusive gourmet stand together with young guest chefs.
There I tried a particularly creative highlight: the humorously named “Versaute Punschkrapferl” — a surprisingly sophisticated combination of radishes and purple potatoes, created by top Austrian chef Philip Rachinger. The cheeky reinterpretation of the traditional punch donut not only made you smile, but also an extraordinary taste experience.
From luxury champagne to classic sausage stations
Anyone who liked something more down-to-earth also found what they were looking for: From sausages in bread rolls (for a whopping 16 euros a piece) to vegan lentil stew, there was something for everyone. The range of drinks was also exclusive — a simple glass of sparkling wine cost around 39 euros to book.
But the treat had a charitable aspect:
With every Opera Ball ticket (€35 supplement) and 10% of all sales from food and drinks, the aid campaign “Austria helps Austria” was supported.
So you could treat yourself to luxury with a slightly better feeling. And in fact, this solidarity campaign raised an impressive amount of donations at the end of the evening. The Vienna Opera Ball 2025 proved once again that people not only celebrate brilliantly here, but also give with heart.
Social grades and personal impressions of the Vienna Opera Ball 2025
While waltz sounds dominated inside, there were also critical voices outside the Vienna State Opera. A small demonstration of opera ball opponents roamed the streets early in the evening. An estimated 100 people protested against the supposedly “elite” event, while the police ensured security with around 500 officers. But you barely noticed anything about this mini demo — here I experienced one thing in particular: pure joie de vivre and the continuation of a beloved Viennese tradition.
In fact, the Vienna Opera Ball 2025 looks like a living museum of Viennese culture — but by no means dusty, but full of energy and elegance. Where else do high-ranking politicians dance alongside movie stars, opera singers next to business bosses, female students next to society ladies? This mix of social classes is what makes the ball so special. With every turn on the floor, you can feel that this event is not only a major social event, but also a piece of Viennese identity.
A magical farewell in the morning hours
In the early morning hours, as the first daylight slowly dawned over the ring road, the last waltz sounds in the hall faded away. Many of us put our hands on our hearts one last time when the melody “Brüderlein fein” was heard as a farewell — arm in arm we swayed to the beat, tired but happy.
When I finally stepped out into the cold morning air, I saw scattered flower petals lying on the pavement in front of the opera house. I pulled my coat tighter around me as ball guests slowly stepped out into the dawning day—some still humming softly as if they wanted to capture the magic of the night a little longer.
This 67th Vienna Opera Ball in February 2025 was a night full of highlights, emotions and unforgettable moments. My personal conclusion:
There are events that you have to experience — and the Opera Ball is definitely one of them.
With painful feet but a smile on my face, I made my way home and thought to myself:
What an evening. Vienna, you have enchanted me.
