At every traditional ball in Vienna – then and certainly still today – young adults make their debut. With our accreditation from Vienna, the Wiener Ball is the only official debutante ball in the Netherlands; a stylish, exclusive ball steeped in tradition and values. The debutantes open the ball each year with a new, unique choreography from Vienna. This is the opening dance. For the ball guests and the debutantes themselves, this is an unforgettable and stylish moment, which they experience in the presence of many old and new friends. If you are interested, after making your debut, you can take part in other Wiener Balls in the fifty affiliated countries.

Debutantes prepare for their debut through dance classes that take place throughout the Netherlands. While dancing is of great importance, it is also secondary. It is primarily about forging a bond with the other debutantes that will last a lifetime. As a debutante, you will meet other students from all over the Netherlands and other European countries such as England and Germany. Before or after the dance class, there are always drinks, dinner or other activities. The dance classes take place at various student societies and unique venues in the Netherlands. Etiquette lessons will also be given during the dance classes. In addition, speakers from various companies will be present to help expand your knowledge and network. The debutantes are supported by the “hulpdebutanten”. These are debutantes who made their debut the previous year. Moreover, you can also turn to them for any questions you may have. The “Oud-Debutanten” Board oversees the dance classes and activities and will support you. The so-called “Jungdamen- und Jungherrenkomitee” consists of a maximum of 72 debutants: 36 dance couples. Anyone can take part. You do not need any previous dance experience, nor do you need a partner. If you do have a partner, we recommend that you make your debut together to share this unforgettable experience.

After your debut, you will become part of the large network of “oud-debutanten”,  for whom annual activities are organised by the “Oud-Debutanten” Board and the Activities Committee. The Wiener Ball is not a one-off event, but something you will be part of for the rest of your life and to which you will return every year, just like all the other “oud-debutanten”, to see the new debutantes make their debut.

What are the requirements for making your debut?

• You must be a student aged between 18 and 26.
• To participate, you must register using the form below.
• If there are still places available, an interview will be held to discuss your motivation.
• Once you have been accepted, you will know what is expected of you and must adhere to the established regulations.
• Gentlemen wear white tie and ladies wear a snow-white long ball gown. You will receive the requirements for this after your confirmation of participation.

What is included in your debutant package?

• Before the ball, you will receive 12 dance classes to learn the various dances, including the choreography, the Viennese waltz, and the Friesenrock. The choreography culminates in the grand, uniform formation dance with which all selected debutantes will open the Vienna Ball. All this takes place under the guidance of our committees and a hired choreographer, with dance classes held at various locations across the Netherlands and taught by different dance instructors.
• Etiquette lessons.
• If a dance lesson takes place at a company, a speaker will give a lecture about the company during the evening. This is to expand your knowledge and network.
• At unique dance venues, such as the Maltezerhuis, you will be given a guided tour, and a lecture will be given on what the organisation in question stands for.
• You will receive a vademecum.
• You will receive a certificate from the City of Vienna confirming your participation in the Wiener Ball.
• There will be a formal reception for the debutantes hosted by the Ambassador of Austria at his residence. This is a unique experience.
• Following one of the dance classes, there will be a parents’ dance class and a parents’ dinner. This allows the parents of the debutants to get to know one another in advance and, if interested, to brush up on their classical dance steps before the Wiener Ball takes place.
• The young ladies will receive a unique set consisting of a tiara, earrings, and a necklace from Schönbrunn, white gloves reaching above the elbow, and a Biedermeier.
• The Jungherren receive unique annual cufflinks and white, short gloves.
• After each dance class, there is an additional activity, such as drinks and/or a dinner (these are charged separately). We do this to foster the bond you will form with one another in preparation for the Wiener Ball and other balls, both national and international, which you will attend with this group.
• The final rehearsal also takes place on the day of the ball itself. This is a busy day that begins at 8 am. For the debutante ladies, their hair will be styled in the style of that year for a small fee while a professional make-up artist will do their make-up free of charge.
• The debutantes will have dinner together prior to the ball (buffet).
• Naturally, after your debut, you will have access to the ball itself and the afterparty at Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin.
• After the ball, you will become part of the “oud-debutanten” network, which regularly organises all sorts of activities. Furthermore, “oud-debutanten” also receive a significant discount on their ticket for the next Wiener Ball.

Making your debut is an unforgettable experience – come join us!

You can register as a debutante for 2027 until 1 December 2026. Should you join later, we will ensure that you receive extra attention to catch up on any missed dance steps if necessary.

How does registration work?

Click on the button below and then fill out the form to express your interest in making your debut. After completing the application form, you will be invited to an online introductory meeting with the “Oud-Debutanten” Board. This does not commit you to anything yet. However, it allows you to get an impression of whether you think you will enjoy it. Only after the interview will you receive definitive confirmation of participation. Once you have replied, you will receive an email asking you to pay the debut fee (€350). If you wish, you can also pay this amount in two installments.