Vienna Opera Ball
The Vienna Opera Ball (Wiener Opernball) is an annual Austrian society event which takes place in the building of the Vienna State Opera in Vienna, Austria on the Thursday preceding Ash Wednesday (a religious holiday). Together with the New Year Concert, the ball is one of the highlights of the Viennese carnival season.
Each year, almost overnight, the auditorium of the Vienna State Opera is turned into a large ballroom. 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 dress code is evening dress—white tie and tails for men and strictly floor-length gowns for women. White opera gloves are mandatory for female debutantes at the Vienna Opera Ball.
The Vienna Opera Ball is under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen.