“A ball? Who’s giving a ball? I long for a ball, and so does Denny.”
- Lydia Bennet
You are invited to attend our Regency Ball!
We are so happy to return to the Hotel Macdonald for our Spring Ball 2026! Imagine yourself transported to the world of Darcy and Elizabeth, of Napoleon Bonaparte and Jane Austen, walking straight into Netherfield, with dancing, live music, food, cards, and charming company, all in the stunning Empire Ballroom of the historical Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in our home town of Edmonton.
‘I want to, but I’m an introverted Austen fan and no one will come with me!’
Welcome! you have found your people. No partner is necessary or required, many guests come solo, and there’s always someone to dance with!
‘I don’t know how to dance!’
We teach the dances, which require no partner and no dance experience. These can be added separately to any ticket. We recommend attending as many as you can. The more you are able to practice the dances, the more fun the ball will be. We will teach 2 of the 4 dances at each Lesson, and do a quick review of all four at the Refresher Saturday morning. Attending both lessons in an evening or attending both early evening lessons or late evening lessons guarantees you will learn all four dances.
***Read the ticket descriptions to see what dances are taught at what lessons***
We do strongly recommend attending the lessons! You and the other guests will have so much more fun and really the lessons are a blast all on their own. Dance lessons will be at location TBD.
‘I don’t have a thing to wear!’
No worries! There are ways for you to rent, buy and advice for you to make your own. Costumes for this event, the bare minimum for ladies is a Full-Length Gown in a soft fabric, an empire waist is preferable but not mandatory. Flat shoes only please. No high heels. For gentlemen, the minimum is a Tail Coat or frock coat with a vest and a cravat (literally a strip of fabric tied around the neck) and a white shirt. Breeches with long socks are preferable, but regular pants are fine. Any dress shoes will do. Historical Military dress and traditional cultural dress (eg. Kilts) are also welcome. And you are welcome to dress as a Gentleman or a Lady as you please!
Feel free to browse our gallery from our Fall Ball to find inspiration!
You can rent a costume from:
In Victoria: You can contact Disguise the Limit to arrange a rental.
https://disguisethelimitcostumes.ca
Phone: 250-479-1156
Email:
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In Edmonton: You can contact Karries Kostumes to arrange a rental.
http://www.karrieskostumes.ca
Phone 780-460-2626 or 780-460-2624
Email
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In Calgary: The Costume Shoppe to arrange a rental.
https://thecostumeshoppe.com
Phone 403-571-2466
Email
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Food and Drink
All dietary requirements can be accommodated with adequate notice. You will be asked to indicate if you have any upon check-out, for each attendee you have bought tickets for. Dinner includes either a Caesar Salad or Wild Mushroom Bisque, and for your entree your choice of:
- Espresso Rubbed Beef Short Ribs
- Maple Pommery Mustard Roasted Half Chicken
- Wild Mushroom Risotto
Alcohol is available for purchase at the bar on site, but nothing provided by us contains any alcohol. Hors d’oeuvres, tea, coffee, and lemonade will be served throughout the evening.
Age Limit
There is no formal age minimum, but we recommend guests be at least 14 years of age. It is not suitable for young children.
Photography
There will be a professional photographer capturing the event, and taking portrait photographs of all guests. You will be able to purchase prints of these if you wish.
In order to maintain the illusion of the historical experience, cell phones and cameras ARE NOT PERMITTED in the ballroom itself, but may be used anywhere else in the hotel.
Agenda
5:00 - Doors for those with Dinner tickets
5:45 - Dinner (done at 7:15, at which time everyone exits the ballroom to allow the tables to be cleared for dancing)
7:00 - Doors for those with Attendance only tickets
7:40 - Announcement of the guests into the Ball room
8:05 - The Duke of Kent's Waltz (twice)
Sweet Canapés passed
8:40 - Haymakers (twice)
Savoury Canapés passed
9:15 - The Spaniard (taught at the Ball, so even those who miss the lessons, have one to dance)
9:45 - Zephyrs & Flora (twice)
Fruit cups passed
10:30 - And as always we end with Mr. Bevridge’s Maggot (twice)
11:15 - Acknowledgements
Disclaimer:
This event is THE MOST FUN you can imagine. It is highly addictive and can make the rest of life seem dull in comparison. You have been warned ;)
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