Category Archives: General

Francesca Ferlaino: An ultracool laureate

Ball 2026, Ballbotschaften, General
In addition to the award as Scientist of the Year, Francesca Ferlaino was also presented with honorary tickets for the Science Ball by organiser Oliver Lehmann / © R. Ferrigato

The new Scientist of the Year 2025 knows the Science Ball from her own experience. Last year, Francesca Ferlaino was a member of the team of Austrian quantum physicists who presented their QuantA network with a spectacular presentation in the ballrooms. Ultimately, it is this inclination and ability to communicate highly complex concepts in a popular way that earned Ferlaino the award from the Club of Education and Science Journalists, which was presented to her at the Concordia Press Club on January 7 – together with honorary tickets for the ball. Continue reading Francesca Ferlaino: An ultracool laureate →

Box office opens doors

Ball 2026, General

It’s literally a box office hit! Again, this ball season the Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus am Karlsplatz is our host. Thanks to their hospitality we are distributing our ordered- and pre-paid tickets at this well-located address in the inner city centre from Monday, 5 January, to Friday, 23 January, 2026 on workdays and as an exception also on 6 January from 16.00 until 19.00.

The exact address: Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus, 1010 Wien, Akademiestraße 13. You can reach the ticket office via U1, U2, U4; tram lines 1, 2, 62, 71, D; Badner Bahn; bus lines 2A, 4A, 59A.

Photo: R. Ferrigato

Season’s greetings!

Ball 2026, General

We have come up with a special location for the traditional meeting between Mayor Dr. Michael Ludwig and City Councilor for Science Mag.a Veronica Kaup-Hasler with the ball ambassadors at City Hall: the flower shop of the Vienna City Gardens in City Hall. As a special gift, here is an overview of the highlights of the program on January 24, 2026. Enjoy!

(from left) Tango dancers Nataliia Kozak and Gencay Aslan, ball ambassador Jing Chen, star guest and Ig Nobel Prize winner Fabrizio Olmeda, ball ambassadors Elka Xharo and Amira Ben Saoud, City Councilor for Science Veronica Kaup-Hasler, Mayor Michael Ludwig, and ball organizer Oliver Lehmann. © Sabine Hauswirth
Enormous appetite for science
On January 24, 2026, the Science Ball will celebrate a festival of inspiring science communication through sensory experiences at City Hall. The last batch of tickets will go on sale before Christmas.

Vienna (OTS) – The 11th Vienna Science Ball on January 24, 2026, at Vienna City Hall was virtually sold out after just five days. As a special Christmas present, the organizing committee is releasing a final batch of 150 ball tickets in the web shop (Edit:…which are sold out agian). Participation in events is still possible for the supporting program that complements the ball. Continue reading Season’s greetings! →

Why we are giving ourselves a motto for 2026

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“To boldly go where no one has gone before.”

Other balls adopt a motto every year. The Science Ball has always been reluctant in this regard. Firstly, because we on the organising committee wanted to establish a traditional ball from the very beginning, one that would convince by virtue of its mission. The maxim “Fun with decency, dance with attitude” is as true in 2026 as it was at the beginning in 2015. And besides: Does the Opera Ball have a motto that goes beyond the musical program? The Techniker Cercle? Or the Philharmonic Ball? All right, then. Continue reading Why we are giving ourselves a motto for 2026 →

On the passing of Tom Lehrer

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The death of the great Tom Lehrer at the age of 97 is very sad news. The mathematician and songwriter is best known for his song “Elements.” In 2021, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, we asked chemist and pianist Nuno Maulide (University of Vienna) to accompany Anne Wieben in her performance of Lehrer’s prophetic “I Got It From Agnes,” in which he explains chains of infection with his trademark blend of science and sarcasm. Continue reading On the passing of Tom Lehrer →

The ball video 2025: the highlights of the night

Ball 2025, General

The highlights of the Science Ball 2025. With insights into the ball events such as the midnight quadrille and the speech by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen as well as excerpts from the performances by Katia Ledoux and Donna Savage. Plus interviews with Mayor Michael Ludwig, City Councillor for Science Veronica Kaup-Hasler, political scientist Maja Göpel, molecular biologist Elly Tanaka, upcycle designer Saki, quantum physicists Philipp Haslinger and Markus Aspelmeyer (both quantA), ball organizer Oliver Lehmann and many visibly impressed guests.

Red Carpet 2025

Ball 2025, General

Our guests of honor traditionally meet for a drink in the town hall shortly before the official opening of the ball. These include ball ambassadors, whose encouraging and critical messages can be found in the blog of the last few weeks; the representatives of universities, universities of applied sciences, private universities and research institutions who support us with their networks and form the honorary committee; companies, alumni associations and funding institutions who contribute to the financing of the ball with their bookings; public figures who care about science, education and research; and last but not least our guests from abroad. Continue reading Red Carpet 2025 →