Germany and Austria's top balls

Germany's most prestigious ball is the Semper Opera Ball in Dresden, held on January 26, 2018. The 2,500-guest event brings together celebrities and members of high-society, and is even broadcast live to thousands of spectators outside the opera house. One highlight is the opening choreographed performance by 100 debutantes, pictured here.

One of the first balls of the season takes place on November 24. The German Press Ball welcomes some 2,500 politicians, media representatives and celebrities to its annual ball in Berlin. Pictured are German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière, his wife Martina, and former German President Gauck with his partner Daniela Schadt. The ball was held in Bonn for many years but moved to Berlin in 1999.

While the German Press and Semper Opera Balls include charity raffles, the Sport Ball in Wiesbaden was designed to raise money for the foundation that financially supports high-performance athletes in Germany. Former German Foreign Minister (now President) Frank-Walter Steinmeier is pictured with his wife Elke Büdenbender at the event, which will draw some 1,600 invited guests on February 3, 2018.

Former German ski jumper and gold-medalist Sven Hannawald is pictured here with his girlfriend Melissa at the 2016 Sport Ball in Wiesbaden. Proceeds from the ball go to the Deutsche Sporthilfe, a private organization that financially supports Germany's high-performance athletes so they can pursue their athletic careers full-time.

While a handful of important balls are held in Germany, Vienna is by far Europe's ball hub, holding dozens each year. The most famous among them is the Vienna Opera Ball, which dates back two centuries and is next scheduled for February 8, 2018. Here, the dress code is strict: long gowns for women and tails for men. Pictured is the highly anticipated debutante performance of the Viennese waltz.

Kim Kardashian clearly didn't participate as a debutante, but she was a guest at the Vienna Opera Ball in 2014, which regularly draws top stars — because Austrian business man Richard Lugner (right) pays them. Kardashian later complained that Lugner was treating her poorly and that a comedian in blackface tried to imitate her now-husband Kanye West. It was likely Kim's last ball visit.

Not all balls are simply merry events. The right-wing populist FPÖ party took over the organization of the Vienna Academic Ball in 2013. Previously known as the Ball of the Viennese Union of the Incorporated, the event's connections to far-right politicians from around Europe has drawn protests for years. Not only debutantes, but also Viennese police will stand ready on January 26, 2018.

Nearly a century old, the Hunters' Ball in Vienna is unique because guests show up in traditional garb: dirndls for the ladies and hunters' suits for the men. The event was founded in 1905 by the Green Cross charity organization to support hunters' and their families who were in need. The next edition takes place on January 29, 2018.

The next Vienna Medical Doctors' Ball takes place on January 27, 2018. This year's theme is "Viennese Blood," inspired by a famous song by Austrian singer Falco. Like other traditional Viennese balls, this one observes the custom of the "Damenspende," where the organizers give the ladies a gift. The present used to be a decorative dance card, but is now a party favor.