The 28th Vienna Rainbow Ball powered by L’Oréal Groupe will take place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Austria Trend Parkhotel Schönbrunn.
The Vienna Rainbow Ball has meanwhile become a fixture in the Viennese ball calendar. Ann-Sophie Otte, the chairwoman of the Homosexual Initiative (HOSI) Vienna, proudly states:
“The Vienna Rainbow Ball has become an institution of the Viennese ball season and is no longer to be imagined without it. For the 28th time already, we will celebrate diversity, acceptance, solidarity, and the visibility of the queer community in the coming January. All visitors of the Rainbow Ball will once again spend a fantastic, atmospheric evening in 2026.”
In recent years, the sought-after ball tickets were quickly completely sold out. Therefore, also this year it means being quick! The online pre-sale for the ball tickets starts on Saturday, November 1st, at 12:00 noon.
Colorful and varied program
The guests can once again expect an exciting evening program. The evening will once more be hosted by Peter Schreiber, known from the music and event industry. In the usual manner, the ball evening will be opened by the dance committee, under the guidance of dance master Bernard Bach from the Schwebach Dance School, in the historic ballroom. Dancing will take place to the lively music of the Vienna Ladies Orchestra Johann Strauß.
The highlight of the ball evening is the midnight performance: musical star Drew Sarich will heat up the visitors with his unmistakable voice. Furthermore, the Club Couleur by Grazia Patricia & Metamorkid will provide colorful entertainment with comedy, dance, singing, and lip sync.
So that the memories of the evening do not fade, all guests will have the opportunity to take a free photo in the photo booth or a video in the video booth. At the Styling Corner of the L’Oréal Groupe, ball guests can once again have their make-up for the evening refreshed by professional make-up artists. The popular tombola with great main prizes will also take place again at the next ball.
Markus Steup, general director of the Rainbow Ball, promises dance-loving guests an unforgettable evening:
“For all visitors, not only the ballroom but also the dance floor (powered by Tanzschule Schwebach) as well as the ball discotheque with DJ MART.i and DJ Shane will be open for dancing.”
Alternatively, DJ NicA will, among other things, provide music of all genres in a relaxed atmosphere in the Parkhotel’s Gloriette Bar.
Rainbow Ball Award
In 2026, the Rainbow Ball Award will once again be presented to a selected association or a selected community project, thanks to the kind support of Out@L’Oréal, the internal LGBTQIA+ network of the employees of the L’Oréal Groupe. Submission will be possible from mid-November until the end of the year on the Rainbow Ball website. Afterwards, the Rainbow Ball organizing team will select a winning project and will present it on stage during the ball evening.
Event for a good cause
The Vienna Rainbow Ball is not only a wonderful, entertaining evening but also an important benefit event for the community: the proceeds go to support the diverse work of HOSI Vienna. This includes, for example, the operation of the community center Das Gugg, community projects, or the organization of the Vienna Rainbow Parade.
The main sponsor of the ball evening, the L’Oréal Groupe, is pleased that the ball will once again be spectacular:
“We are pleased to once again be the sponsor of the Vienna Rainbow Ball next year and thereby support HOSI Vienna in its valuable work within the LGBTQIA+ community and make a contribution to a world without prejudice and discrimination. The L’Oréal Groupe has been committed to the LGBTQIA+ community for a long time as part of its numerous Diversity, Equity and Inclusion activities. We are therefore very pleased about the continuation of the collaboration in the course of the Rainbow Ball in order to pursue our ambitions together,”
says Edzard Meenen, Country Coordinator of the L’Oréal Groupe.
Thanks to the kind support of sponsors and partners such as NYX Professional MakeUp, the LGBTQIA+ network Out@L’Oréal of the L’Oréal Groupe, Schlumberger, John Harris Fitness, Calla Floristik, Group Practice Schalk:Pichler, Löwenherz Bookstore, and many more, it is possible to carry out the ball in this form.
In addition, the organization of the ball is made possible by the commitment of the activists of HOSI Vienna and countless volunteer staff. Our deepest thanks go to all of them.
Key data for the 28th Vienna Rainbow Ball
Date: January 24, 2026
Location: Austria Trend Parkhotel Schönbrunn, Hietzinger Hauptstraße 10–14, 1130 Vienna
Organizer: Homosexual Initiative (HOSI) Vienna
Admission: 7:00 p.m.
Opening: 9:00 p.m.
Last waltz: 4:00 a.m.
Inquiries and contact:
Alexander Friedrich, [email protected]
Markus Steup, [email protected]
