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© Ball der Pharmazie
Pharmacy Ball 2026
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 January 2027 | ||||||
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After the successful comeback in 2024, the traditional dance event will also take place next year.
We are pleased to invite you to the 80th Ball of Pharmacy on January 18, 2025, at the Hofburg in Vienna!
The Ball of Pharmacy at the Hofburg is a true institution of Viennese ball culture: What started with occasional "Carnival gatherings" organized by the Viennese pharmacy community has today become the most important meeting point for dance enthusiasts and pharmacy fans.
The first documented dance event took place in 1932. Since then, the ball, organized by the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists, has become a fixed event at the Vienna Hofburg. For the 80th anniversary, entertaining program highlights and numerous musical performances will ensure a unique ball experience.
Knigge & Etiquette: The Perfect Dress Code for the Ball of Pharmacy
Ladies
Floor-length ball gown, ball robe, cocktail dress, gala uniform, festive pantsuit (no traditional dress)
Gentlemen
Tailcoat, tuxedo, gala uniform, dark suit with bow tie (no traditional dress)
Tickets purchased online cannot be canceled or rebooked*
Smoking
Please note that smoking is strictly prohibited in the Hofburg by government order. Smoking is only allowed in the designated outdoor areas.
Accessibility
All rooms of the Ball of Pharmacy at the Vienna Hofburg are wheelchair accessible via lifts and ramps.
Program and cast
The Ball of Pharmacy will take place on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
Location: Hofburg Vienna, Entrance Heldenplatz
Doors Open: 20:00
Start: 21:00
End: 04:00
Program
Mezzanine
Festsaal
Musical Accompaniment: Wiener Ballorchester Steubl | Wolfgang Steubl Big Band
Host: Alfons Haider
21:00 | Opening
Performance "Heartbeat of Vienna" | Classic meets Modern
An arrangement with string orchestra, several beatbox segments, and alternating performances of classical and modern ballet.
Choreography and Dance Direction:
Dance Master Chris Lachmuth | Dance School Chris, Vienna
24:00 | Midnight Performance Falco Forever
Raffle Drawing
Falco Forever Show
Michael Patrick Simoner as “The Apostle of the Falcon”
Announcement of the Dance Couple of the Evening
Midnight Quadrille
Choreography and Dance Direction: Dance Master Chris Lachmuth | Dance School Chris, Vienna
2:00 | Quadrille
Ceremony Hall
Musical Accompaniment: Mama’s Soul Club
Winter Garden
ApoTheke | Musical Accompaniment: Slörfcäts | Jazzophoniker | Paganin Soatnquartett | Blechsalat | Classic Sound Vienna
Orchestra Corridor / Side Gallery
Mini Wiener Prater & Naschmarkt | Bar and Culinary Delights | Engelhard Stand
Musical Accompaniment: Slörfcäts | Jazzophoniker | Paganin Soatnquartett | Blechsalat | Classic Sound Vienna
Ritter Hall
Musical Accompaniment: Slörfcäts | Jazzophoniker | Paganin Soatnquartett | Blechsalat | Classic Sound Vienna
Pre-Hall
Engelhard Photobooth | Beauty Lounge by Bundy | Champagne Bar | Mini Apothecary
Secret Council Room
Latin Dance Bar with Crash Courses in Latin American Dances all Night Long
Ground Floor
Garden Hall
From 20:00: Viennese Heuriger with Musical Accompaniment by Klangvierterl
22:30 – 23:30 Special Guest Ernst Molden
Entrance Hall
Ball Photographer
From 22:00: Sausage Stand
Forum
From 23:00: Ball Disco with DJ
2:00 Show Performance Falco Forever
Vienna Hofburg Kongreszentrum
The Kaiserball developed from the imperial tradition of the so called “Hofball” (court ball) and “Ball bei Hof” that were organized by the imperial couple Franz Joseph (1830–1916) and his wife Empress Elisabeth (1837–1898), who is better known as Sisi. Both ball events were taking place in the Hofburg being the imperial winter residence of the Habsburg family.
The Hofball used to take place towards the end of January, with Empress Elisabeth deciding the precise date. Once the court had gathered in the Zeremoniensaal - which is still one of the most stunning rooms at the Hofburg to this day- selected guests were invited to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress in person. The popular buffet was set up in the nearby Grosser Redoutensaal. Meanwhile the dance floor was positively brimming with activity - after all some 2,000 ballgoers were in attendance. The last waltz commenced at exactly quarter past midnight, and drew this spectacular imperial event to an end.
The “Ball bei Hof” took place just two weeks later. This more intimate event, reserved for the ruling elite, drew around 700 high-ranking royals and members of the diplomatic corps. To qualify as "Hochadel" (higher nobility), aristocrats were required to demonstrate a lineage going back at least eight generations on both the maternal and paternal sides.The most valuable porcelain in the imperial dining service was unpacked for a formal dinner which was served in the Radetzky apartments and neighbouring rooms. The strict seating order was dictated by rank. Ladies spared no expense and took every care to ensure their appearance matched the occasion, happily parting with between 300 and 500 Gulden for an evening dress - more than the annual income of a court servant.
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