Review 103rd Elmayer Kraenzchen
On Shrove Tuesday, 4 March 2025, the dream of a glittering ball debut in the Vienna Hofburg once again came true for 700 young dancers. With 350 couples—performing polonaises as well as march and waltz choreographies in 10 columns and 35 rows—the dance floor was filled to capacity. It is precisely these unforgettable memories that lay the foundation for Vienna’s uniquely lived ball culture.
Shrove Tuesday, 4 March 2025
at the Hofburg
700 debutantes
took part in the festive opening
»Opened by the largest committee of young ladies and gentlemen«
The two members of the new federal government sworn in by the Federal President the day before—Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Infrastructure Minister Peter Hanke—jointly opened the 103rd Elmayer-Kränzchen in the sold-out Hofburg. Both had once made their ball debut “at Elmayer”, Beate Meinl-Reisinger exactly 30 years ago. In striking unanimity, the Republic’s new senior representatives underscored the inestimable value of Vienna’s ball culture for our country’s international reputation.
This spark was also kindled by the youngest current member of the Vienna State Opera’s Opera Studio, mezzo-soprano Florentina Serles. The rising star impressed with arias from Carmen and Die Fledermaus.
The rousing presentation by the Elmayer Waltz Formation rounded off the opening’s high standard.
Charitable commitment with more than 100 years of tradition
From the proceeds of the ball, Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer was able to present donation cheques totalling EUR 60.000,-, split equally between Haus der Barmherzigkeit and Ärzte ohne Grenzen, during the opening.
Unforgettable memories for ball guests of every generation
The salon orchestra and the Garde big band offered guests dance music at its finest in the Festsaal. Wolfgang Steubl and his orchestra provided dance music of the highest calibre in the Zeremoniensaal. The Rittersaal and the Künstlerzimmer featured live dance music, while disco beats beckoned in the Campari Bar and the Dance Lounge in the Hofburg Forum.
The complimentary dance lessons in the Geheime Ratstube delighted many guests—an insider tip for anyone wishing to refresh what may have been forgotten over the course of the evening.
Once again, dance-loving ladies had the opportunity, in return for a donation to Haus der Barmherzigkeit, to glide across the floor on the “Herreninsel” with gentlemen from Tanzschule Elmayer’s formation teams.
Outstanding formation groups performed impressive Latin and Standard choreographies in two show blocks over the course of the evening.
A full house was reported for the audience quadrille at 23:00.
Shortly before midnight, Josef Drechlser’s traditional “Brüderlein fein” in the Festsaal signalled the close of the 103rd Elmayer-Kränzchen and of the 2024/25 Vienna ball season. To these sounds, guests took their leave of the Hofburg with a hint of wistfulness. What remains is the anticipation of the 104th Elmayer-Kränzchen, scheduled to take place at the Hofburg on 17 February 2026.
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