Vienna Opera Ball 2026

This year, for the first time, the Opera Ball will be held as a green event in accordance with the criteria of the Austrian Ecolabel.

For the fourth time, the Vienna Opera Ball is setting an example of social responsibility and solidarity with the support of ‘Austria helps Austria’ (surcharge on tickets and consumption at the ball), the Vienna Opera Ball is sending a signal for social responsibility and solidarity, with the auction of Arnulf Rainer's Opera Ball subject, black velvet, red silk, will also benefit ‘Austria helps Austria’.

Facts about the Vienna Opera Ball

Opening

This year's opening will bring a Broadway feeling to the ballroom alongside classics from symphonic and opera literature. The Vienna State Opera Orchestra will play under the musical direction of conductor Pablo Heras-Casado, with Pretty Yende and Benjamin Bernheim singing.

American Jessica Lang has created a choreography for the famous ‘Carousel Waltz’ from the musical of the same name by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The costumes are by Giorgio Armani, one of his last designs.

The Vienna State Opera orchestra, conducted by Markus Henn, will once again kick off the event with a fanfare.

Opera Ball theme

Arnulf Rainer agreed during his lifetime to make his work ‘Black Velvet and Red Silk’ available for the Vienna Opera Ball 2026. It will be used as a motif for posters and printed materials, but above all it will be made available again for a charity auction, the net proceeds of which will also go entirely to ‘Austria Helps Austria’.

Floral decorations

This year's decorations by Doll's Blumen Wien are themed ‘Opus Florale Avantgarde’. An impressive colour combination of rich red and deep violet, along with a mixture of predominantly ‘Red Naomi Futura roses’ and red amaranthus, creates a dramatic and opulent floral display, a modern floral work of art that elegantly combines tradition and modernity.

Gastronomy 

A new culinary concept was launched with great success last year: Steirereck & Friends. This year's ‘Friends’ are Thomas Dorfer (Landhaus Bacher) and Josef Floh (Gastwirtschaft Floh, Langenlebarn).

Vienna's multi-award-winning American Bar of the Year, Tür 7, is making its mark at this year's Opera Ball with its unique concept at The Number One Vienna bar.

The wine bar in the Schwindfoyer is once again dedicated to Austrian quality: a total of six winemakers from five different wine-growing regions will be serving their wines.

Ball gifts

Guests at the Opera Ball receive mascara from Lancôme, a set of soap and hand cleansing spray from Zielinski & Rozen, Opera Ball espresso cups from Goppion Caffè and a fan featuring Canaletto's View from the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

The Swarovski tiara

The tiara and matching tie pin are inspired by the swan emblem, the hallmark of the House of Swarovski.

Photos: Vienna State Opera, Giorgio Armani