After weeks of preparations, tonight marks the most glamorous night in the Austrian social calendar when hundreds of teens will gather for the dazzling Opera Ball in Vienna.
Some 300 young people will descend on the State Opera House in Vienna this evening for the annual event, an evening of dancing and traditional entertainment.
The teens are currently dolling up in floor-length gowns and white tie and tails for the night as they nervously prepare for the world’s eyes to be on them.
The Opera Ball is an annual society event dating back to 1814 similar to a debutante ball and is attended by some 5,000 guests from the worlds of culture, business, politics and academia.
Nearly time: 300 teens are currently preparing for the Opera Ball 2018, the most glamorous night in the Austrian social calendar
A selfie to remember: Two of the guests strike a pose as they pose for a selfie with an iPhone in all their finery
Grand: The Opera Ball is an annual society event dating back to 1814 and is attended by 5,000 guests from the worlds of culture, business, politics, academia
The event will last into the early hours of the morning and will feature performances from the orchestra of Wiener Staatsoper and the Vienna State Ballet.
The ball season in Austria is an important part of its culture and runs from November to Lent, with the Opera Ball being the last event in the calendar.
Special guests at tonight’s ball will include Hollywood actress Melanie Griffith who looked stylish in a floor-sweeping black gown and eye-catching pink necklace.
Billionairess Ingrid Flick arrived in a striking pink gown and white fur coat as she accompanied actor Otto Retzer into the ball.
Famous faces: Hollywood actress Melanie Griffith is one of the high profile guests in attendance and has spent the last few days in Vienna
Preening: The male guess will wear white tie and tails for the glamorous event while the young women will wear floor-length gowns
Typical teens: Two young women dressed in beautiful gowns pose for a selfie with an iPhone before the most glamorous night of the year
The ball season in Austria is an important part of its culture and runs from November to Lent, with the Opera Ball being the last event in the calendar
Time for a selfie: Two young women giggle over their phones as they wait for the event to start in their finery
Tonight’s the night: One guest wrapped up warm in a glamorous white fur coat as she chatted to other guests behind-the-scenes
The party of the year: Two young women share a joke as they sit in their stunning white gowns waiting for the proceedings to begin
Mingling: Griffith poses for a photo with Russian billionaire and entrepreneur Richard Lugner and his companion
Fix my dress! Two young women help each other get ready for the night as a group of male guests wait patiently in the background
Sparkling: A blonde guest fixes her hair while wearing a breathtaking tiara as she gets ready for the ball
Looking sharp; A young male guest gets his bow-tie straightened by a friend as they prepare for the ball to begin
Like a fairytale: A young woman looks like a princess waiting for the ball as they waits in the corridors outside the ballroom
Keeping them posted? A guest wearing a pretty tiara and strapless gown checks her phone while two others look deep in coversation
Last minute adjustments: A guest wearing a gown with sparkling detail makes some adjustments before she faces the world’s camera
Just freshening up: Two girls fix their lipstick in a compact mirror and with an iPhone as another young looks engrossed with her phone
Gorgeous in green: Opera singer Valentina Nafornita looks sensational in an emerald gown ahead of her performance tonight
Hair-raising: Guests get their hair fixed with a few spritzes of hairspray before the glamorous evening begins
Waiting around: Guests mingle and enjoy some last minute snacks as they wait for their night to begin
A few finishing touches: A male guests polishes his shoes while the rest of the group sit around waiting for their big night
Entertainment: Solo Dancer Liudmila Konovalova cuts a stylish figure in a floor-length metallic floral gown backstage
The one who made it all happen: Opera Ball organizer Maria Grossbauer wears a stunning dusky pink gown before the ball begins
Dream team: Grossbauer poses with the director of the State-Opera Dominique Meyer outside the State Opera House
A long way from home: British actress Lily James was seen enjoying a glass of champagne before the ball began
A night to remember: Lily wore quirky gold star earrings and had her hair swept back into a glamorous up-do for the night
Getting ready to go: Conductor Frederic Chaslin and Tenor Pavol Breslik pose for a picture with Nafornita before the ball
Selfie time: The trio take a moment to pose for a selfie as Nafornita wraps up warm with a fur stole in the chilly winter weather
Dressed to the nines: Billionairess Ingrid Flick wears an eye-catching pink gown and fur coat as she accompanies actor Otto Retzer into the event
Special guests: Flick meets Grossbauer and Meyer before heading into the ballroom for tonight’s annual event
A glittering guestlist: Austrian businesswoman Nadja Swarovsk wows in an extravagant back gown, while Austrian singer Alexandra Swarovski looks chic in blue and black
Fabulously floral: Model Barbara Meier makes an entrance in a floor-sweeping floral gown as she poses with entrepreneur Klemens Hallmann
Raising a toast: The pair enjoy each other’s company over some welcome drinks before heading into the ballroom
Red carpet regulars: German actor Heiner Lauterbach and his wife Viktoria strike a pose while TV presenter Silvia Schneider beams for the camera