Step into the Magic of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and Waltz Through Vienna’s Ballroom Culture

Step into the Magic of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and Waltz Through Vienna’s Ballroom Culture

This year Strictly Come Dancing will be celebrating two decades of glitz and glamour, and even after 20 years, the show continues to captivate its audiences with creative performances. With the 2024 series promising bold choreography and a fresh wave of faces, including Toyah Willcox, Pete Wicks and Dr. Punam Krishan, inspired viewers can take that ballroom magic beyond their screens and into the real world. And what better place to experience it than Vienna, the enchanting city with a dedicated ball season of over 450 balls and home place of the waltz?

For dance enthusiasts eager to move beyond spectating and step onto the dance floor themselves, Vienna offers an unrivalled opportunity to experience this historic art form in all its fame and glory. With the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss II—the composer who turned the waltz into a global sensation—just around the corner, there has never been a more perfect time to explore this beautiful city and learn to waltz like a seasoned pro.

A Dance Mecca: Elmayer and Thomas Kraml Schools

Vienna’s iconic Elmayer and Thomas Kraml dance schools are renowned for their welcoming approach to teaching, making them the ideal choice for anyone looking to learn the waltz, regardless of previous experience. Whether it’s a beginner eager to grasp the basics or a seasoned dancer refining their skills, these prestigious institutions offer a range of classes, from private lessons to group sessions, designed to immerse students in Vienna's long-standing ballroom tradition. Prices start at €90 for one person or per couple for a single 50-minute lesson at Elmayer and €65 at Thomas Kraml. 

With options for all skill levels, even solo travellers can easily join in. Those looking to fully embrace Vienna’s winter ball season will also find options to rent formal attire, ensuring they look the part for the city’s legendary soirées! It's a wonderful way to get swept up in the charm of Vienna’s dance culture, which has been preserved for centuries.

Celebrate Strauss 

As the bicentennial of Johann Strauss II approaches, Vienna is preparing to honour the “Father of the Waltz” with a series of unforgettable celebrations. For those unfamiliar with Strauss, he was an incredibly successful composer well known for his operettas and Viennese waltzes which granted him the title “The Waltz King”. Born in St Ulrich close to Vienna, he composed more than 500 waltzes, quadrilles, polkas and other types of classical dance music, as well as a single ballet. In true Viennese style, concerts, exhibitions, and glamorous balls will pay tribute to Strauss’ legacy, offering visitors the chance to dance to his timeless compositions in breathtaking, historic settings.

For fans of Strictly Come Dancing, this is an opportunity to experience the magic of ballroom dance in its most authentic form—surrounded by history, culture, and the melodies that have captivated dancers for generations.

A Ball Season Like No Other

Vienna’s reputation as the global capital of ballroom dancing is well-earned, with more than 450 grand balls held every year. Whether attending the renowned Vienna Opera Ball or one of the city’s smaller yet equally charming events, such as the Rainbow Ball or Edelweiss Ball, waltzing through Vienna is an experience like no other.

For those unfamiliar with ballroom traditions, Vienna offers a welcoming and inclusive environment. Even solo travellers can easily participate, thanks to the city’s “taxi dancers,” who ensure that every guest gets the chance to waltz the night away. You can watch a video on Vienna’s famous ball season here.

Bringing the Strictly Magic to Life

For two decades, Strictly Come Dancing has brought the joy, creativity, and passion of ballroom dancing into living rooms around the world. For those ready to take their love of dance beyond the screen, Vienna offers an unforgettable opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the world of the waltz. From learning the basics at its renowned dance schools to gliding across the floor at one of the city’s iconic balls, Vienna perfectly encapsulates the beauty and excitement of ballroom culture that Strictly fans cherish.

Ends

Editors notes

Austria’s capital of Vienna is consistently ranked as the city with the highest quality of life for the 3rd consecutive year by The Economist Intelligence Unit, providing its residents, expatriates and visitors with high security, seamless public transportation, a wide variety of cultural and arts institutions, and a staggering 53% of the city serving as public green space. 

The Vienna Tourist Board, founded in 1955, is the official destination marketing service provider for the tourism sector of the city. It promotes the city worldwide and provides many services, tips, resources and information for Viennese businesses, residents and visitors.