The Monaro Folk Society’s

Colonial Ball

is traditionally held every September at

The Albert Hall – Canberra

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The Colonial Ball is the Society’s flagship dance event and had been held annually since 1981, until interrupted by Covid in 2020. Each year callers and bands from Canberra and interstate have provided up to 180 dancers with an evening of dance and splendor, with attendees dressed in Colonial outfits, and dances selected from Australia’s rich heritage of Colonial and modern dances.

Guests at the Ball are encouraged to dress in the formal styles of the Colonial and Early Federation periods, and the dance program is designed bearing in mind that many ladies will wear hoop skirts. Gentlemen will have an excuse to wear black tie, with tails if available, although it is not unusual to also see kilts and dress uniforms.

We have not been able to hold a Ball since 2019 due to ongoing concerns about Covid at the time that planning decisions needed to be made. 

Planning is underway in the hope that we will be able to resume holding the Ball in 2025.

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The 2021 Colonial Ball was unfortunately cancelled due to Covid.

The 2020 Colonial Ball was unfortunately cancelled due to Covid.

For details of the 2019 Colonial Ball click on this link.

For details of the 2018 Ball, including photos, click on this link.

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For further ideas on what to wear, below are some photos from Balls prior to 2018. John Carroll has assembled a far more extensive gallery of programs, dance cards and photos of Heritage (Colonial) Balls from 1981 to 2011 which may also assist.

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