Hello Molker!

Operaman gave me your name for advice and he sends his best regards! I also posted this to the Europe forum.

I would like to go to the New Year's Eve Imperial Ball at the Hofburg Palace also know as the Imperial Palace, right? I don't want to end up going to the wrong place. I love to waltz and I've been wanting to do this for a long time! If you know of anyone who is going to this event this year or has gone in the past, please email me.

I looked on a website for ticket prices and they are confusing. Tickets lower than $300 don't seem to enable you to get onto the dance floor. I have emailed the website: [email protected], http://www.hofburg.com/e/va/index.php., but they have not answered me. Sorry to ask you for all this info, but I don't want to spend all this money to travel and then be turned away because I bought the wrong ticket! Also, if you know of a good website where I can safely buy the ticket, other than the one I have mentioned, to the ball, plese send the website to me.

Thanks so much for your help!....Lindie12

You can get onto the "dance floor" with any ticket.

The difference in price are where you are seated/if you are seated/if you are fed etc.

This is a very touristy ball. You will not find many natives there.

Dinner is not really necessary. Traditionally dinner is not served at Viennese balls - you go independently to eat something before the ball itself.

The best seating is in the Festival Hall - as this is where most of the dancing and the Polonaise occurs.

I have not been at this New Years eve ball - but I've been to other more traditional Balls in the Hofburg.

I'll defer to Molker on this of course, but probably why you can't find tickets is becase it is a ball generally for tourists so the tickets are organised as part of a package.

You will see on the website that even the Hofburg suggests some packages.

http://www.hofburg.com/e/va/packagestipps.php

Don;t know where you've been waltzing - but if it's not in Vienna be prepared. The waltz here is a VERY fast and energetic dance - requiring a reasonable level of skill - not the sort of dreamy wandering you may see in the US.

Lindie12;
Hello; Hang in there, I am sure the expert will see your post.

Hello Lindie12

My home is Vienna and i have attended this ball several times with friends.

Yes, more tourists than locals, but many from Austria and Germany, numerous americans on a tour, and from other countries.
In my opinion, the only place to be is having a ticket with seating in The Festival Hall ( Festsaal ) The ball includes numerous other rooms as you saw in the pricing.
All major activities during the evening occur in the Festsaal-Polonaise, Gala fest at Midnight, large dance floor etc.

Some other rooms have music but have limited space to dance and much less activity.

Any ticket purchased allows access to all rooms and dancing areas.

No need to have your evening dining there. To me, the meal is overpriced, slow service and just interupts the activities of the evening.
Save your money and have a nice dinner elsewhere at much less cost. Still a good start to a nice evening.

Plan to purchase your ticket for Festsaal seating for arrival at 10 PM.
Tickets can be purchased directly from the official website.
If this becomes a problem- several Vienna ticket agencies always have tickets but with an added premium. I can provide names later should you need them.
Arriving for 10 PM entrance-
You still experience an arrival drink, entrance up the grand Staircase, being " Greeted " by the Emperor and Empress and then a nice entrance in the the Feastsaal- a grand Ballroom.
Waiters will take your order for drinks- ( paid for separately ) all evening.
Nothing better than having a chair and table for rest, relaxing, a place for drinks etc.
You will see other Ball attendees seated in other rooms, entring the Festsaal to watch the activites holding a glass, no place for them to sit- with the midnight Gala lasting almost one hour - this can be tiring.

The festsaal,
Nice to sit and people watch also.
Music is non stop with several oechestras offering good music- of course the waltz.

Dancing continues after the Midnight gala -
Of course the Blue Danube is always played at midnight - a tradition.

I can not comment on prior posting about the " Very Fast " waltzing. A waltz is a waltz to me. no faster or slower here.

Many stay very late.
If your hotel is nearby - still safe to wlk home in the night or you can have a taxi called for you.

A very nice evening !

Still a nice night is the new Years Ball at Palace Ferstel ( Cafe central - Freyung in the city center.)

Much less expensive - a very good dinner - smaller perhaps 200 guests- less formal- music by two orchestras -
a very nice evening too-

must look for website.


Enjoy the time in Vienna!

Dear Molker,

I hope that this thread isn't cold, your advice to Lindie has been very helpful and I need some more advice. What do you recommend, or where can I find a recommendation, for attire for the evening? I have seen info that goes from dark suit with bow tie to white tiewith sash for men and simple long dresses to full ball gowns for women. What are your thoughts and suggestions, thanks.

phxtrvlr

Hello

I have attended this Ball numerous times.

Most all men will wear a tuxedo - known here as a " Smoking "

Only a very few will be in dark suits and seem to " stand out "

Regarding tails perhaps one or two but not needed.
You will perhaps see a few men wearing decorations ( medals )

Women- no expert - but most everyone in a nice evening gown- every style imaginable - so enjoy what you like .

This makes for a very festive evening.

The Ball at the Ferstel I mentioned- a little less dressed up.
More men in tuxedos but numerous in dark suits too. Women mosr dresse up generally again.

Hope this helps-
A nice time to be in Vienna.

Molker,

Thanks for the info and one more question, there will be 6 of us attending and my thought is that we can buy a table, without dinner, in the Fastsaal. Should put us in the right spot for the evening and then we can walk from room to room if we want to see more. Does that all sound right? Thanks.

Phtrvlr

Yes, you want to be in the Festsaal, the main Ballroom.

No need to attend with the dinner- dine elsewhere - you can find better quality, better service and cheaper.
Plan to arrive some minutes before 10 PM ( 22:00 )- allows time to check coats etc.

If weather is bad - wear bad weather boots etc. carry shoes in a bag and change when you arrive - you can check the bag with your shoes as you check your coat- this is done regularly here at the Opera too.

Then a welcoming ceremony - a glass of sparkling wine, a walk up nice stairs - The emperor and Empress greet you- and then to your table.
Numerous tables next to the dance floor. You are assigned a table number - clearly marked.
A waiter available for drinks- Good toorder a bottle of wine- perhaps a bottle of mineral water - waiters will be available during the evening.
A Buffet is in one of the other rooms if you wish some small food.
Yes, you can walk room to room - some will have music- you will see the good choice of the Festsaal.

The Festsaal is the place to be as most all special things happen in this room and the dance floor is much bigger than other numerous rooms.
Guests seated in these other rooms , gravitate to the festsaal for the festivities and find themselves standing for extended periods holding their drink glass- not great.

I am trying to remember - I think many tables for 6 are available.

Safe to walk back to your hotel after this evening if it is close- desk near the door can call taxis but this can take some time as they are in great demand on this evening.

Molker,

Thanks for the info, you've been great.

Phxtrvlr

You ae welcome -
enjoy the Ball - a great night!

molker,

Well plans are being made for this year and the question is how to take advantage of a train ride to see snow covered mountains and the beautiful winter scenes that one sees of Austria. I have a recommendation from a friend here, she is dutch, to go to the Dolomites (sp?) for great scenery. Do you have a suggestion? We have 4 or 5 days. I have also considered Krakow to see that city as well as Prague. We would appreciate any insight that you might share. Thanks.

If you just wish to make a day trip from Vienna to see snow and mountains - the nearest to Vienna is Semmering

www.semmering.at

a relatively and scenic ride by train

www.oebb.at

The Dolomites are actual in northern Italy- this a longer journey.

If you wish to spend some nice days - I would look to spend some days near to Salzburg .
This enables you to visit this city as a day trip if you wish too.
Easy and fast train conections to Salzburg from Vienna - about 2 1/2 hours and then to a nice mountain resort - examples within 1 hour of salzburg
Zell am See, Schladming, Filzmoos and more.
Great scenery , beautiful villages good selection of hotels and much to do for non skiers too.


Even villages like St. Gilgen in the Salzburg Lake District are very nice in winter- lift rides available to the tops of mmountains , nice walking paths around the wolfgangsee and easy bus connection to salzburg.
www.wolfgangsee.at

Molker,

About how many waltzes will be played at the Imperial Ball? I searched for videos on YouTube and was so disappointed to find rhumba (nothing wrong with the dance itself, but I'm not travelling all the way to Vienna for that). Are the latin dances done in some other room, or do they do that in the Festaal too? Will I be able to pretend to be in the 19th century in the Festaal?

I can not give you a percentage of waltz music - but it is considerable.
If my memory is good perhaps just a few latin dances for the entire evening. I am not a good latin dancer and would remember an over abundance of this.
Of course , the Blue Danube at Midnight this a tradition in Vienna.
The music in the Festsaal is about non stop with several orchestras rotating. The music , I think is aimed toward the evening and the general guests. You will see all levels of dancing expertise so no one needs to feel they do not fit the dance floor.
After midnight a gala show , of opera, operettas , some ballet usually - 45 minutes perhaps. I personally think that this is too long, but still mostly enjoyable.


Some other music can be found in some of the other smaller rooms , but the best and certainly preferred area is the Festsaal.

You receive a nice welcome as you enter in the evening , a glass of sparkling wine, a receiving line on the large staircase as you enter. Some Hussars to add to the scene.

if you decide to attend, I suggest looking to stay in a hotel relatively close to the Hofburg.
taxis can be hard to find when you leave early in the morning and a wait can be expected.
Walking to/ from is usually very safe and nice atmosphere with the lights on the buildings etc.
Numerous hotels of all price ranges can be found.

For ladies- many wear comfortable shoes to the Hofburg , changing to fest shoes when you enter . The coat check will accept them for storage with your coats. best to have a small bag for them.
This method provides easy comfortable walking and if wet weather solves many troubles.

Thank you Molker.

One more question: do you know how early people start queuing up to buy standing room tickets for the philharmonikar's Vorauffuhrung des Neujahrkonzertes on December 30? Overnight or early in the morning?

On January 1, is the New Year's Day concert always shown on the big screen outside Rathausplatz, and is that the best place to watch the broadcast? (I suppose it would be completely insane to try to queu up for standing room the morning after the ball, but it may be tempting).

The New Years Concert is broadcast live on Austrian TV. It is also re broadcast during that day and evening.
The best place to see it is your hotel room, warm , comfortable , a chance to eat and drink. You also see the taped intermission program seen world wide during the intermission. As you mention it is usually broadcast on the giant screen at the Rathaus. The screen altready there for the New Years festivities.

I would not recommend trying for Standing Room- I think it is not even available for December 30.

With Tv lights , this area must be even warmer than usual. If not in the front row , you see little.
I have never done this and cannot speak from any experience, but have no interest in even thinking about it.
We watch it on Tv sometimes , often joining it sometime after the beginning.usually having a late Breakfast and trying to recover from the night before. Starts about 11,I think. It is much easier to me to sleep and perhaps see a repeat in the evening.

Officialy the December 30 th concert is sold out, but a god concierge can always find tickets- of course at a price.
This , a probe , the same as the New Years Concert.

On which side of Hofburg Palace is the entrance to the balls?

The entrances to the Ball will be on the side of the Hofburg toward the Ringstrasse.

If you are standing with your back to the Ring looking to the Hofburg look to the right side where the original Hofburg and the Neue Burg ( this the newest and curved portion of the Palace)meet at an angle of about 90 degrees.
You will see two stes of brown double doors. Usually they use the doors to the right side. Quite often flags are above the doorways.
The area to check coats will be found just inside the doors.

If you come from the Michaelerplatz side - just walk under the passageway toward the Ring - when it opens on to Heldenplatz simply turn left and walk the 50 meters or so to the doors.

Enjoy the evening !