Programme
The programme for the 104th Elmayer Kränzchen as a PDF.
Shrove Tuesday, 17 February 2026
from 5 pm at the Hofburg
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your enjoyment of the ball—and active charity—are once again our priorities this year. 700 young people will present their first grand ball opening. They are the protagonists of the 104th Elmayer Kränzchen.
For 106 years, donations have been presented as part of our ball opening; this year to the House of Mercy and another charitable organisation. Our sincere thanks to everyone whose attendance makes these donations possible. Look forward, among other highlights, to vocal performances as well as show blocks by the Elmayer Viennese Waltz Formation and by the Standard and Latin dancers of TSC Schwarz Gold. MOTTO will provide food and drinks. Enjoy six hours of unforgettable, relaxed-elegant Viennese ball pleasure: the 104th Elmayer Kränzchen.
Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer
und das Team der Tanzschule Elmayer
Schedule & programme
5 pm – Admission
Ballrooms open: Entrance Heldenplatz
6 pm – Ceremonial opening in the Festsaal
by the Young Ladies’ and Young Gentlemen’s Committee, under the direction of Peter Leitner, BSc.
Show performance by the Elmayer Viennese Waltz Formation,
Vocal performance by a rising star of the Vienna State Opera
7 pm – Opening of the Gentlemen’s Island in the anteroom
In support of the House of Mercy, dance-loving ladies may enjoy a dance of their choice with a formation dancer in exchange for a donation of € 5,—.
7:15 pm – Dance lessons begin in the Geheime Ratstube
15-minute dance lessons at the times listed; otherwise, practice opportunities for all dances: 7:15 Foxtrot / Quickstep, 8 pm Boogie Woogie, 9:30 pm Cha Cha Cha, 10 pm Tango
9 pm – Dance performances in the Festsaal
Tamiko Suzuki and Dr. Johannes Gajdosik
Latin Formation of TSC Schwarz Gold
Standard Formation of TSC Schwarz Gold
10:50 pm – Dance performances in the Zeremoniensaal
Latin Formation of TSC Schwarz Gold
11 pm – Audience quadrille in the Festsaal
Fledermaus Quadrille, Op. 363 – Johann Strauss
under the direction of Prof. Dkfm. Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer
11:55 pm – Brüderlein fein in the Festsaal
the traditional final song of the evening, by Josef Drechsler
Midnight
End of the carnival celebrations and the ball
Elmayer Waltz
by Alma Deutscher (performed by the artist herself).
Brüderlein fein
Clemens Unterreiner, accompanied by the Gardemusik, concludes the 100th Elmayer Kränzchen.
Would you like to prepare for the dance floor?
Ball Express Courses
Learn the most important and most frequently danced styles at Vienna’s balls in just three sessions – for your perfect enjoyment on the dance floor!
Course starts: November to February
Duration: 3 sessions over 3 weeks
Couples
Discover the dances of the World Dance Programme together and enjoy unforgettable evenings as a couple.
Course starts: October, January and April
Duration: 10 weeks each, progressive courses
Seniors
Stay active and enjoy relaxed afternoons in harmony with the music.
Course start: October, January and April
Duration: 10 weeks each, progressive courses
Explore our full world of courses
Discover now!
Tickets & table seating
From 1 December at 3 pm, you can purchase tickets as well as table seating in person at our dance school. Please note that ball tickets do not include assigned seating.
Admission
€ 160,—
for pupils, students, and those doing military or community service up to 27 years
€ 70,—
Table seating
Festsaal (music) – Upper box
€ 290,—
Festsaal (music) – Tiered box
€ 250,—
Side gallery
€ 50,—
Wintergarten (bar)
€ 70,—
Zeremoniensaal (music) – Box
€ 100,—
Zeremoniensaal (music) – Table
€ 90,—
Marmorsaal
€ 40,—
Antekammer
€ 40,—
Rittersaal (music)
€ 50,—
Trabantenstube
€ 30,—
Dress Code
Please observe the following dress code to ensure that this evening takes place in a dignified and festive atmosphere and becomes an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Appropriate attire contributes significantly to the special ambience and highlights the elegance of the ball evening.
Ladies: A full-length ball gown (floor-length all around).
Gentlemen: Tailcoat, tuxedo, black suit with bow tie and white shirt, or formal gala uniform.
We sincerely thank you for your cooperation and look forward to sharing an elegant evening of dance, grace, and memorable moments with you.
”
In its show act, the dance school made it clear why it is first among equals.
Die Presse
Charitable engagement
Since 1920, the Elmayer Kränzchen has served above all to support charitable projects. Substantial sums are presented to the beneficiaries as part of the opening ceremony.
Review of the 103rd Elmayer Kränzchen
On Shrove Tuesday, 4 March 2025, the dream of a splendid ball debut at the Vienna Hofburg once again came true for 700 young dancers. With 350 couples, arranged in 10 columns and 35 rows performing polonaises as well as marching and waltz choreographies, the dance floor was at its limit. These are the unforgettable memories that lay the foundation for Vienna’s lived ball culture—unique in the world.